Drumbeat School and ASD Service
England
£37,509 - £38,637 per year
Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Start date:
22 October 2025
Apply by:
10 October 2025
Job overview
IMPORTANT: Applications must be made using a fully completed TES profile and application form. CVs alone will not be accepted. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.
Salary: Scale 6 £37,509 - £38,637
Learning Mentor
Working pattern: Term time only (39 Weeks)
Hours: 35 hours per week 39 weeks per year
DBS check: Enhanced DBS
Location: Lewisham
The Role:
Drumbeat School is seeking to recruit a dedicated and enthusiastic Learning Mentor to join our outstanding team. We offer a vibrant and engaging curriculum, a supportive and friendly staff community, and a commitment to staff wellbeing and development.
Drumbeat is a state-of-the-art special school for children and young people aged 4–19 with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). All staff are expected to be able to work across our sites.
More than just a school, Drumbeat is recognised as a leading hub for ASD support in Lewisham. We play a key role in delivering outreach to children and families in mainstream schools and Early Years settings, and are proud of our collaborative work with the local community. Our aim is to be a Centre of Excellence, placing children and families at the heart of everything we do through transdisciplinary working and 21st-century pedagogy.
We are looking for applicants with:
* Significant experience working with children and young people with autism, either in a school or youth work setting
* A strong background in supporting students with additional needs
* Experience in de-escalation strategies (e.g. Team Teach or equivalent)
* GCSE (or equivalent) qualifications in English and Maths
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
* Creativity, innovation and flexibility in their practice
* High levels of motivation, enthusiasm and reliability
* A commitment to collaborative team working
In return, we offer:
* An exciting and rewarding challenge
* Fantastic students who inspire us every day
* A forward-thinking, ambitious school community
* Outstanding professional development and career progression opportunities
* A collaborative and creative working environment informed by the latest research
* A highly professional and supportive staff team
Additional staff benefits include:
* Childcare vouchers
* Access to Medicash, a cash-based private healthcare scheme covering everyday medical expenses (e.g. dental, optical, physiotherapy).
Drumbeat School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are an equal opportunities employer. Please note that if you have lived or worked abroad for more than three months since the age of 18, you will be required to apply for a police check from the relevant country. We will support you with the process, although you will need to cover any associated costs.
When completing the personal statement in the application please show how you match the requirements in the person specification and give examples from you past work history. Applicants who do not do this will not be shortlisted.
Closing date for applications is Friday 10th October 2025 and interviews commencing W/B 13th October 2025.
Please note CVs will not be accepted for this position. Application forms should be submitted via the TES.
Previous applicants are welcome to apply after a period of 6 month has passed.
About Drumbeat School and ASD Service
Drumbeat School and ASD Service
Roundtable Road, Downham, Bromley
Kent
BR1 5LE
United Kingdom
Our school values underpin everything we do at Drumbeat.
Drumbeat is a centre of excellence with a strong mission and purpose to transform CYP's lives, and the lives of their families, for the better. Its work should be groundbreaking, innovative and creative, with a 21st century pedagogy that puts the CYP's needs at the heart of everything it does.
Drumbeat's work draws from the latest research in Autism to build upon 'tried & tested' practice and shape teaching approaches closely to children's learning styles.
Teaching will be unswervingly personalised so CYP actively and meaningfully engage in learning. A high priority will be given to developing effective communication approaches. Underpinning the school's values will be a comprehensive understanding of the link between behaviour and communication, recognising that behaviour is communication. Through proper interpretation, understanding and meeting needs, and enabling children to communicate their needs and desires effectively, it is possible to reduce challenging behaviours.
We have a very strong shared vision that was developed after discussion with staff, governors, students and parents. When students leave Drumbeat they should be; Independent, caring, ambitious, confident, safe, courageous, respectful, resilient and successful.
Drumbeat's staff will be reflective practitioners, who strive to refine, improve and 'open-up' their practice. Drumbeat will be ambitious for its pupils, striving to transform their lives, unlocking their potential and helping them to become as independent as practicable so that as adults they become capable of contributing positively to the local community.
Drumbeat will work closely with Health, Social Care and Voluntary Agencies so services are wrapped around the child in a truly transdisciplinary way, putting the child and family at the centre. Drumbeat's transdisciplinary work will include school employed speech and language therapist (SaLT), occupational therapist (OT), music therapist (MT) and clinical psychologist (CP) who will be an integral part of the school team and work closely with children and young people, families, teachers and TAs.
Drumbeat's children and young people will work in an environment:
* that is expert in ASD,
* with a 'can do' culture,
* with high expectations,
* that nurtures the holistic development of the child and young person,
* that is caring, safe, happy, positive and supportive,
* that helps pupils build upon their individual strengths and interests,
* that enables them to reach their full potential within the context of their individual needs,
* that values equality of opportunity and actively encourages pupils to exercise control over their lives,
* where children and young people will be treated with dignity and prized for the contributions they make,
* where individual differences will be recognised, respected and celebrated,
* where pupils' voice is respected and listened to, however subtle or loud,
* where parents and carers will be consulted, listened to, respected and supported.
Read more about us on our website
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