Learning Mentor - Outdoor Education (The Fermain Academy)
Contract Type: Permanent
Education Phases: Secondary
Working Patterns: Full-Time
Key Stages: KS3, KS4
Application Deadline: Monday, 24th November 2025
Expected Working Start Date: 01/01/2026
Is a Shared Job: No
About Us
This is an exceptional time to join a young but growing and ambitious trust, whose aim is to transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable pupils in the region. As a trust we are not only growing in terms of the number of schools, students, staff and parents but also in the depth and breadth of experience, knowledge and expertise we have across our schools.
Our Core Values
* Child centred
* Adaptive and sensitive to need
* Authentic in our relationships
Our Vision
… is to support all learners, raising their aspirations through high quality engaging education which empowers and liberates their futures.
We are seeking a talented and dedicated professional who will lead and develop our outdoor education provision, working collaboratively as part of the whole school team to ensure pupils receive the highest quality support, challenge, and enrichment through engaging, nature-based learning experiences.
This role will primarily be based in Cheshire East / Macclesfield. We believe that The Fermain Academy and Skills Centre can reengage those students (age 12 – 16) who have become disconnected with not only mainstream education but with their own dreams and aspirations. We want to help students to recognise their achievements, and by delivering a personalised curriculum that will allow them to sit a minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent). We will prepare them for a world where they can truly realise their full potential. Designed to encourage all students to be respectful of, and generate their own alternative viewpoints and ideas, we’ll deliver a complete academic, social and emotional learning experience by placing students in smaller working groups led by adult role models that our students trust.
Key Priorities
* Support the vision and direction of the Academy
* Provide an engaging specialist curriculum within the Academy
* Deliver and maintain effective learning and teaching throughout school
* Deploy resources efficiently and effectively to meet specific objectives in line with your specialist area strategic plans
* Ensure effective pastoral care and behaviour support throughout the school
Teaching and Learning
As a specialist Senior Learning Mentor of Fermain Academy, you will help secure and sustain effective teaching and learning throughout the Academy, monitor and evaluate the progress made in your specialist area and present students’ achievement, effectively using benchmarks to track set targets for improvements. He/she will:
* Deliver high quality teaching of your specialist area within the school and other subjects throughout the school as and when required
* Support and maintain an environment and a code of behaviour and discipline which promotes and secures good teaching, effective learning and high standards of achievement
* Help organise the curriculum and its assessment; work with the SLT to monitor and evaluate it in order to identify areas for improvement
* Ensure that the curriculum and assessments meet National Curriculum requirements
* Ensure that improvements in literacy and numeracy are priority targets for all students across school
* Deliver and support the PSHRE programmes across the school
* Work alongside staff members to plan and deliver Enrichment and reward activities
Partnership Working
* Seek opportunities to invite parents and carers into Fermain Academy to enrich student experience and promote Fermain Academy’s value to the wider community
* Collaborate with staff to actively promote the British values, academic, spiritual, moral, social, emotional and cultural well‑being of students and their families
Health and Safety / Child Protection
* Help ensure that health and safety standards meet statutory requirements, monitoring health and safety matters within the school, particularly ensuring that all members of the staff take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others
* Help ensure that Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures and Department of Health assessments of Children in Need are rigorously complied with, and that the welfare and health and safety of students are of prime consideration
* Promote the safety and well‑being of students and staff
* Ensure good order and discipline of students and staff
* Engage with CPD opportunities in order to effectively fulfil your role and achieve the best possible outcomes for our students
Looking After Our Team
At the YES Trust, we believe our aims and vision for our students and their carers are best achieved through supported and valued team members. We offer the following benefits to all trust employees from their first day with us:
* Access and support with training and CPD including further professional qualifications
* Specialist training where required
* Cycle to work scheme
* Flexible and supportive approach to work
* Free lunch at school
* Nursery benefits
* Education Mutual – access to free face‑to‑face counselling, physiotherapy, nurse help‑line, prescription service whenever you need it
* Perkbox membership, including:
o A great range of discounts, free gifts, perks including shopping, eating out, holidays
o The wellness Hub – access to a variety of practical and useful resources
o Medical – online GP appointments, prescriptions and advice at a convenient time for you
Desired Criteria
Qualifications / Education
* Any other outdoor national governing body awards (e.g. climbing, mountain biking)
* Duke of Edinburgh expedition leader qualification
* Recognised behaviour / curriculum / SEMH qualification
Educating Experience
* Demonstration of high expectations
* Success in educational settings
* Work with disconnected students
* Able to adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all students
* Understanding the commitment to the school’s wider focus on student attainment
* Experience of leading Duke of Edinburgh Awards
Professional / Personal Skills
* Evidence of coaching and/or mentoring
* Able to effectively resolve personnel issues
* Training and understanding of child protection
* Training and experience working with students with a variety of mental health needs
* Experience of supporting staff
Knowledge and Understanding
* Knowledge and experience of current good practice and development in special education provision
* Knowledge of successful practice in teaching hard‑to‑reach students
* Knowledge of how to promote independence for young people with complex needs
* Behaviour Management training
Qualifications / Education (additional)
* Outdoor First Aid Certificate
* Hill and Moorland Leader Award or above
* Evidence of further professional development
Education Experience (additional)
* Proven ability to set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge
* Promote good progress and outcomes
* Demonstrate subject and curriculum knowledge
* Plan and teach well‑structured lessons
* Make accurate and productive use of assessment
* Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
* Communicate and work effectively
* Ability to motivate and inspire
* Experience delivering outdoor activities or training
* A passion for delivering outdoor adventures and education
Professional / Personal Skills (additional)
* Proven ability to generate enthusiasm for new ideas
* Inspire others with confidence
* Communicate effectively to groups and individuals, orally and in writing
* Resolve conflict through active listening and negotiation
* Demonstrate a flexible approach and willingness to listen to others
* Good organisational skills
* Provide advice and guidance to parents and carers in a positive and clear manner
* Remain calm when working under pressure
* Ability to show patience and empathy
Curriculum & Personal Management
* Evidence of successful experience in managing change
* Ability to analyse situations, prioritise and help to implement realistic solutions
* Ability to establish and develop good relationships with all involved in the school
* Commitment to the school’s wider community
* Flexible approach to working hours and able to work away if required
* Ability to inspire all in a love of learning for your subject
Knowledge and Understanding (additional)
* Demonstrate a good level and understanding of ICT
* Knowledge of how to deal with safeguarding issues in school
* Behaviour management techniques for groups and individuals
* Know how to develop effective rapport with students, this being based on high expectations and establish a purposeful learning environment
Shaping the Future / Philosophy
* Expectation of high achievement of all students
* Evidence and understanding and commitment to equality of opportunity
* Respect for students’ individual difference
* Commitment to parental partnership in education and developing links between school, home and the community
Developing Self and Working with Others
* Excellent interpersonal skills
* Commitment to one’s own continuing professional development
* Ability to work as part of a team
* Ability to make and take decisions and set priorities
* Able to gain and maintain the confidence and respect of colleagues, students, parents and multi‑professionals
Commitment
* Have energy and perseverance
* Be confident and enthusiastic
* Be reliable and have integrity
Other Requirements
* Positive recommendation from present employee
* Satisfactory attendance record
The successful candidate would be expected to maintain a well‑organised, creative, safe and friendly environment for living and learning and hence enhance the ethos of the school. Candidates are asked to address as many of the person specifications as possible in their application.
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