Learning and Engagement Mentor

Are you a sports coach who is passionate about working with young people and helping them reach their full potential? Do you have the patience, creativity and interpersonal skills to support pupils who may find the mainstream classroom environment challenging?

We are looking for an enthusiastic, adaptable and nurturing Learning and Engagement Mentor to join a school in Bath and support pupils with additional needs to engage with education, develop positive relationships and achieve success both in and beyond the classroom.

While a background in sport is desirable, this is not a traditional sports coaching role. Instead, we are looking for someone who can draw upon the skills developed through sports coaching — including communication, motivation, relationship-building, resilience and behaviour management — to support pupils with a range of additional needs.

About the role

The successful candidate will work closely with pupils who require additional support to access learning and engage positively with school life. Many of these pupils may have individualised or tailored timetables, designed to meet their specific needs and support their engagement, emotional regulation and progress.

You will provide support within the classroom, helping pupils to access learning, remain engaged and develop the confidence and skills needed to manage challenges. At other times, you may work with pupils individually or in small groups, following their personalised timetables and supporting them to participate in appropriate activities.

For some pupils, this may involve using physical activity, sport or time outdoors as a way to regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, build trust and prepare them to return to learning. For others, it may involve providing encouragement with classroom tasks, helping them navigate difficult situations, or simply being a consistent and positive adult who understands their needs.

The role requires someone who can recognise that every pupil is different and adapt their approach accordingly. You will need to balance encouragement with patience, establish clear boundaries and understand that progress may look different for each individual.

Key responsibilities

• Provide in-class support to pupils with additional needs, helping them access learning and participate in classroom activities.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils who may experience barriers to learning, emotional regulation or engagement with school.
• Support pupils working to tailored or individualised timetables, helping them transition between lessons, activities and learning environments.
• Use sport, physical activity and outdoor activities where appropriate to support emotional regulation, engagement, confidence and wellbeing.
• Recognise when pupils may be struggling emotionally or becoming dysregulated, responding calmly and using appropriate strategies to support them.
• Encourage positive behaviour, resilience, independence and the development of social and communication skills.
• Adapt activities and approaches to meet individual pupil needs, interests and abilities.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, pastoral staff, the SEND team and other colleagues to ensure consistent support.
• Help pupils develop the confidence and readiness to engage in learning, with the aim of increasing their participation and independence over time.
• Contribute to the monitoring of pupil progress, engagement and wellbeing, sharing observations with relevant colleagues.

The ideal candidate

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working with young people, ideally through sports coaching, youth work, mentoring or a similar role.
• Can use the skills developed through coaching to motivate, encourage and engage pupils who may be reluctant to participate in learning.
• Is patient, calm, resilient and able to respond positively when faced with challenging situations.
• Understands the importance of building relationships, establishing trust and maintaining clear, consistent boundaries.
• Is flexible and creative, able to adapt their approach to meet the needs of individual pupils.
• Recognises the value of physical activity in supporting emotional wellbeing and regulation, while understanding that sport will not always be appropriate or necessary.
• Can work effectively as part of a wider team and follow individual support plans and guidance.
• Is committed to helping every pupil feel valued, supported and capable of making progress.

Experience of working with pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, or other barriers to learning would be an advantage. However, we are equally interested in candidates who can demonstrate the right attitude, transferable skills and a genuine commitment to supporting young people.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website.