Teaching Assistant – Engagement Mentor

At Highfields Spencer Academy, we are looking for a committed and compassionate Engagement Mentor to join our team and make a real difference to the lives of our children and families.

This is a pivotal role within our school. You will work closely with our Vice Principal (Inclusion Lead) to support pupils to engage successfully with school life—removing barriers to learning through a focus on behaviour, emotional regulation, attendance and family support.

We are looking for someone who:

• understands that behaviour is communication
• can remain calm, consistent and solution-focused in challenging situations
• is passionate about supporting children to regulate, feel safe and succeed
• can build strong, trusting relationships with both pupils and families
• is proactive, resilient and ready to make a difference every day

You will lead targeted support for pupils who need it most, delivering interventions, supporting staff in the moment, and working with families and external agencies to improve engagement and outcomes.

At Highfields, our RISE values—Respect, Inspire, Succeed, Empathy—are at the heart of everything we do. You will play a key role in ensuring every child is supported to thrive, both socially and academically.

This is a rewarding but demanding role, suited to someone who is confident working with vulnerable pupils and is committed to inclusive practice.

Why join us?

• A supportive and values-driven team
• A strong focus on staff development and wellbeing
• The opportunity to shape and develop an important role within our school
• The chance to make a lasting difference to children’s lives

If you are passionate about supporting children to overcome barriers and are ready to rise to the challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Early application is strongly encouraged as we reserve the right to interview and close the advert ahead of the closing date.

Spencer Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our children and young people. Therefore, we expect everyone to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre- employment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced criminal records with Barred List Check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and the completion of Level 2 Safeguarding training. It is an offence to apply for the role if an applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children (where the role involves this type of regulated activity).

The Trust and its member academies are committed to promoting equality and diversity in both employment and education provision. We aim to ensure that students, parents, governors, employees, contractors, partners, clients and other stakeholders within the Trust community are treated fairly, and with dignity and respect regardless of Protected Characteristics.

Spencer Academies Trust is a Disability Confident Committed Employer.