WHO WE ARE
The Code Zone runs exciting coding clubs for children aged 6–16. We're an award-winning edtech company that makes learning to code genuinely fun, through game-making, creative projects, and a whole lot of enthusiasm. We run online clubs with over 1,000 members every week, as well as local clubs across Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.
Think less "boring IT lesson", more "after-school gaming club where you accidentally learn to code."
See our local clubs in action
THE ROLE
We're hiring 2 Local Club Mentors to work together as a team across our expanding Essex and Hertfordshire club network. You'll be guiding kids aged 6-16 through coding sessions using tools like Scratch (block-based coding) and Python. To thrive in this role you'll need either some coding knowledge or experience working with children, ideally both, but we can work with one or the other.
Here's what a typical session looks like:
* Set up computers, VR headsets and robots before the session starts
* Welcome kids as they arrive and get them settled
* Walk the room helping learners troubleshoot their projects
* Chat through game ideas and help kids problem-solve in the moment
* Celebrate the wins (they happen a lot)
* Help pack down and prep for the next session
LOCATIONS & SCHEDULE
We're expanding across the Essex and Hertfordshire region, with sessions planned in areas including Harlow, Loughton, Hertford, Broxbourne, and Cheshunt.
Sessions run on weekday afternoons and evenings during term time, typically between 3:30pm and 8:00pm (including setup and pack-down), so you'll need to be available across that window on your assigned days. We also run Gaming sessions during the daytime in school holiday.
We're also actively developing daytime school sessions, which would offer additional hours on top of your regular club shifts, great if you're looking to build up your hours over time.
You'll need a full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle — our clubs are spread across the region and public transport won't always cut it.
PAY & TRAVEL
* £15 per hour for all session time including setup and pack-down
* Sessions run approximately 4.5 hours per day — based on a full week that's around 24 hours/week including some weekly prep time
* Please note these are term-time positions (approx. 39 weeks per year), so not a 12-month salaried role - School holiday hours will vary, so could be higher or lower than the above.
* We're looking for one of the two mentors to take responsibility for transporting club equipment between venues — this role comes with travel expenses compensated on top of your hourly rate
* School sessions and Game Zone shifts are paid at the same rate
GAME ZONE SESSIONS
During school holidays, you'll be running our Game Zone days:
* VR paintball and Among Us adventures
* Minecraft multiplayer sessions
* Nintendo Switch tournament days
Genuinely great fun!
YOU'D BE GREAT AT THIS IF YOU…
* Have some coding knowledge (Scratch, Python, or similar) and/or experience working with children or young people
* Love gaming — our kids absolutely will quiz you on this
* Are patient, friendly, and good at explaining things at the right level
* Can keep energy up and make kids laugh (bad jokes very much accepted)
* Genuinely enjoy working with young people and want to help them grow
* Are based in or around the Essex/Hertfordshire area and happy to drive to sessions
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR EXPERIENCE-WISE
We're open to two kinds of people for this role — and if you're a bit of both, even better:
* The Coder — you know your way around Scratch or Python well enough to help a learner build and debug a project. You don't need to be a developer, just comfortable enough that a stuck 10-year-old doesn't faze you
* The People Person — you've worked with children or young people before (tutoring, sports coaching, youth work, teaching assistant, childcare — anything counts) and you're confident, patient and great at keeping kids engaged
If you're coming from a children's experience background with limited coding knowledge, we'll support you with training to get you up to speed on the tools we use.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
* £15/hr — paid for every hour you're with us, including setup and pack-down
* Travel compensation if you take on the equipment transport role
* Work as part of a small, close-knit team — you won't be going it alone
* The Code Zone branded kit (yes, the hoodie is great)
* Real experience working with young people in edtech
* Full onboarding and ongoing training provided
* Opportunity to grow — more hours including daytime school sessions, Python, Unity, game dev tools
* A friendly team that genuinely cares about what it does
* Free upskilling across coding languages and teaching skills
* DBS check arranged and paid for by us
❗ THE NON-NEGOTIABLES
* Some coding knowledge (Scratch and/or Python) and/or experience working with children or young people
* Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle
* Available weekday afternoons/evenings (roughly 3:30pm–8:00pm on session days)
* Reliable — kids and their parents are counting on you
* Enthusiastic — your energy sets the tone for the whole session
* Based in or commutable to the Essex/Hertfordshire region
* Willing to undergo a DBS check
BONUS POINTS FOR…
* Python beyond the basics, or experience with Unity
* Coaching, tutoring or mentoring young people
* Serious gaming knowledge (Pokémon, Minecraft, Roblox — kids will test you)
* Creative ideas for projects and mini-challenges
* Happy to take on the equipment transport role
SOUND LIKE YOUR KIND OF THING?
We're filling 2 positions, and the two mentors will work together as a team — so if you know someone who'd be a great fit too, feel free to mention it!
To apply, send us three things:
A short cover message telling us why you'd be a great fit and a bit about yourself & A CV covering your work experience and qualifications to date.
A short video (2–3 minutes) — just be yourself! Tell us:
* A bit about who you are
* What would make you a great Code Zone mentor
* Any experience or skills you'd bring to the role
Upload it anywhere you're comfortable — YouTube (unlisted is fine), Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar — and just share the link with your application. No need for fancy production, we're looking for personality not polish.