1 Year Fixed Term, 1 FTE, Term-time only
Empower students to succeed academically. Champion wellbeing through sport. Make a lasting difference.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Student Support Service as an Academic Coach and Sports Enrichment Officer. This is a key role within the college, supporting students to overcome barriers to learning, develop independence and resilience, and achieve their full potential — both academically and personally.
You will be joining a dedicated, values‑driven team that places student progress, wellbeing and inclusion at the heart of everything it does.
The Role
This is a dual‑focused role, combining targeted academic coaching with the coordination and delivery of sports and wellbeing enrichment across the college.
Academic Coaching
You will provide proactive academic coaching to identified students, particularly those who:
- Have not yet achieved expected GCSE outcomes in English and/or Maths
- Are at risk of underperformance
- Face barriers to learning, including social, emotional or mental health challenges
Working one‑to‑one and in small groups, you will:
- Deliver a structured academic coaching programme focused on study skills, motivation, organisation and independent learning
- Support students to set goals, reflect on progress and develop confidence using approaches aligned to the VESPA framework (Vision, Effort, Systems, Practice and Attitude)
- Use student data, professional judgement and collaboration with teaching and support teams to target support effectively
- Maintain clear records and contribute to evaluating the impact of interventions
This role complements, rather than duplicates, specialist SEND and GCSE English and Maths provision.
Sports Enrichment and Wellbeing
Alongside academic coaching, you will play a leading role in shaping and delivering the college’s sports and wellbeing enrichment offer, helping to promote:
- Physical wellbeing and positive mental health
- Inclusion, engagement and a sense of belonging
- Teamwork, leadership and resilience
You will:
- Coordinate and deliver lunchtime and enrichment sports activities
- Support competitive sport and representational teams
- Organise sports events, fixtures and wellbeing campaigns
- Work closely with colleagues and partners, including AoC Sport opportunities
- Ensure high standards of behaviour, safeguarding and health & safety
Who We’re Looking For
This role would suit someone who is passionate about supporting young people, motivated by helping students succeed, and confident working across both academic support and enrichment settings.
You will be:
- Calm, compassionate and resilient, with the ability to work effectively in sometimes challenging situations
- Skilled at building positive relationships and motivating students
- Organised, proactive and able to work independently as well as part of a team
- Committed to inclusion, wellbeing and high expectations
Essential Experience
- Experience working directly with young people in education, youth work, sport or a related setting
- Experience of mentoring, coaching or delivering structured support to individuals or small groups
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- Confidence using IT systems, including Microsoft 365
Desirable
- Experience of academic coaching, study skills support or the VESPA framework
- Experience supporting vulnerable students or those with mental health needs
- Mental Health First Aid training or similar qualification
- Experience organising sports or wellbeing activities
- A relevant qualification in education, coaching, sport, youth work or a related field
Why Join Us?
- A student‑centred college with a strong focus on wellbeing and inclusion
- A supportive, collaborative Student Support Service
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
- A chance to shape and influence both academic progress and enrichment provision
- A role where no two days are the same — and your impact is visible
Recruitment Information
- Interviews will be held as soon as possible after the closing date
- We reserve the right to shortlist, interview or close this vacancy early if sufficient high‑quality applications are received — early applications are encouraged
Safeguarding & Inclusion
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, references and safeguarding screening.
We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. If you do not meet every requirement but feel you would be a strong fit for the role, we encourage you to apply.
We strive to be representative of the community we serve and know that diverse talent builds a better College and provides an enhanced experience for our students. We’re committed to building an organisation where everyone is welcome, supported and able to thrive.
Equality and diversity are fundamental to our core beliefs and values. That’s why we welcome people from all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, socio-economic classes, religions, disabilities and ages in everything we do.
We are values-driven and our vision is to provide an inclusive, aspirational and academic education for all our students, so that all of them will learn, thrive and lead successful lives.
The safeguarding of all students is paramount and this approach is embedded into everything we do. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
In line with Keeping Children Safe In Education guidelines and having regard to all relevant guidance, any offer of employment will be subject to a comprehensive checking process including satisfactory references from current and previous employers, DBS Enhanced Disclosure and online searches will also be conducted for successful candidates.
