Self Managed Learning Mentor Verified listing

Two new permanent posts as Mentors for Self Managed Learning programmes
The Centre for Self Managed Learning – near Brighton
Start date: Ideally before the end of August 2025
Salary: £34,000 FTE (0.9 FTE = £30,600)

·      Do you believe that every young person should be able to find their own voice, and be supported to find their own way to learn, in a safe and inclusive community?

·      Do you believe that learning looks different for every one of us, but that it should always be enjoyable and authentic?

·      Do you want to be part of changing education?

We’re looking for compassionate, open-minded individuals to join our team of Mentors at the Centre for Self Managed Learning (SML), an educational charity with over two decades of experience supporting learners aged 9–17 through our unique, research-backed approach. Our learning community, based in Fishersgate near Brighton, supports around 80 creative and talented young people to self manage their own learning in a safe, inclusive and an empowering environment.

This is genuinely a unique and exciting role where you can be centre stage in supporting the learning of young people. We need someone who would love the chance to help our young people learn anything they want and in any way that they want. You would need to be beautifully flexible in responding to a myriad of needs and both love that mode of way and be hugely skilled in working with a wide range of young people.

We have no imposed curriculum, no imposed teaching, no timetables and no classrooms. Instead, young people take ownership of their learning in a supportive, democratic environment. SML Mentors play a key role in nurturing these learner-led journeys - offering guidance, encouragement, and practical support to help students grow into self-aware, engaged members of their communities.

This is not a teaching role. It’s a mentoring position that places relationships, emotional intelligence, and learner autonomy at its heart. We’re not looking for specific subject expertise - what matters most is your ability to connect with young people, support them with empathy, and be able to support  them in any topic they wish to explore.This is a deeply rewarding opportunity for someone with curiosity and care - someone ready to rethink what learning can be, and who wants to work collaboratively to create something truly meaningful.

We are in our 24th year and due to increasing demand we need to develop our team to respond to the increasing pressures on young people. We are a small charity, rich in ideas and practices.. However we are not rich in finances so we can’t offer big salaries. (We get no state support).

The role includes :

• Supporting groups of young people through regular learning group sessions, to help them plan their short and long term learning goals;
• Offering one-to-one mentoring, workshops, and guidance;
• Contributing to a safe, inclusive, and emotionally literate community culture;
• Maintaining close, respectful communication with families and other stakeholders;
• Offering activities based on young people’s interests and on your own passions or skills
• Taking an active role in safeguarding, inclusion, and wellbeing;
• Taking an active role in supporting the charity in areas outside of the College

0.9 FTE roles are preferred, but part-time or job-share arrangements (e.g., mornings or afternoons only) may be considered.

How to apply:

Please email your CV and a cover letter (maximum two A4 pages) to carmel@smlcollege.org.uk by midnight, 20th May 2025.
Your letter should explain why you’d like to join us and what you can offer our learners and community.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an in-person selection day on 29th or 30th May 2025.

Please read the full job description available at: https://smlcollege.org.uk/were-hiring-sml-mentor/

For any more information on the post please email our Director, Carmel Kent, on carmel@smlcollege.org.uk.

We are committed to inclusion and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences. Adjustments to the recruitment process or working arrangements will be supported wherever possible. We may be able to offer assistance for someone relocating.