College Mentor

About The Role

Contract Dates - 01/07/2025 - 27/08/2025 OR 01/07/2025 - 16/08/2025

SBC College Mentors play a pivotal role in delivering an exceptional student experience as part of the summer college programme. They are actively involved in the pastoral care and supervision of students, as well as the planning and delivery of engaging activities and evening events. Serving as trusted points of contact, College Mentors support students throughout their course, guiding them through their summer experience while promoting and modeling the behaviours we expect from our students.

College Mentors must be highly attentive, proactive, and well-organized in their approach to student supervision, addressing behavioural or welfare concerns effectively and with sensitivity. With students from a wide variety of countries and cultures, it is essential that College Mentors create a welcoming and inclusive environment. By establishing a strong presence, they can connect with students, fostering a fun, supportive, and vibrant community that helps every student feel valued and involved, both academically and socially, during their time at the college.

The Site

SBC at Oxford College is based over several Oxford Colleges. Students on the college programme are 15-17 and the capacity is 160 students over both sites each week. Appealing to ambitious students wishing to prepare for future success and to gain an authentic taste of studying at the prestigious University of Oxford. SBC Oxford College students undertake academic courses, exploring their chosen subject through a series of engaging lectures, tutorials, and industry workshops. Their academic programme sits next to their social programme allowing them to explore Oxford, take part in college events, wellbeing activities and the greatly enjoyed excursion to London.

Ways we support our College Mentors:

• Fully paid DBS check
• Extensive, paid, on-site training prior to student arrival
• All meals and accommodation included
• CPD and Appraisals
• Staff Wellbeing Initiative
• Access to Employee Assist Programme (EAP)
• Continual support for all staff from the Head Office Team, both on the ground and via phone/email
• Online safeguarding and prevent training
• Professional, fun and supportive environment

Additional Role Specific Support

Paid attendance of a certified First Aid Course.

Remuneration: Paid weekly, one week in arrears. The weekly rate received for College Mentors is £600 PLUS any accrued holiday to be paid at the end of contract. Food and accommodation are included for all residential SBC staff.

Programme Duties:

• Acquaint yourself with the SBC Social Programme session plans, risk assessments, resources and equipment during the induction period.
• Plan, prepare and facilitate a wide range of activity sessions to groups of students.
• Support in the preparation, planning, delivery and pack-down of whole school events.
• Bring energy and enthusiasm to all aspects of the Summer School programme.
• Promote the social programme amongst the student body, supporting with sign-up and encouraging all students to participate.
• Lead a group of students on off-site excursions, ensuring thorough supervision throughout.
• Ensure that the students are safe at all times during activities, events and excursions.
• Work alongside College Tutors to support and supervise elements of the academic programme including industry experience, guest speakers and workshops.
• Handle administrative tasks including activity sign-up, registers, risk assessments and accident and incident logs.
• Plan for session observations, reflect upon them, and attend feedback sessions with the Social Programme Manager(s) to discuss potential areas of improvement.

Pastoral Duties:

• Create a welcoming and inclusive residential environment.
• Supervise students' movement through the day, ensuring timely delivery of the daily routine.
• Facilitate conversations between students, ensuring friendship building and instilling strong values of equality, celebration of diversity, and respect.
• Proactively support, supervise and interact with students during meals and breaks.
• Work as part of the wider team to support the residential daily routine including wake-up, assemblies, onsite free-time and lights out.
• Supervise students in accommodation blocks and other college areas, ensuring appropriate standards of student behaviour and a proactive approach regarding student wellbeing.
• Assist with supervision and care of sick students under the guidance of the Management Team.
• Be on call/overnight duty as per contract for student medical, welfare issues, and emergencies.
• If required, complete First Aid Course and serve as school first aider.

Safeguarding Duties:

• Be committed to the safeguarding and welfare of students in your care.
• Complete online safeguarding training and attend on-site safeguarding training during induction week.
• Understand SBC’s Safeguarding Policy, Staff Handbook, Operations Policy Handbook and Part 1 of Keeping Children Safe in Education.
• Be alert to signs of abuse and neglect, and report concerns to the DSO immediately.
• Know what to do if a student reports abuse, exploitation or neglect.
• Help students understand how to keep themselves safe and manage risk.

About You

SBC PERSON SPECIFICATION

All members of staff employed by SBC will be expected to bring certain key qualities to the operation. There must be a professional interest in working with young people and particularly international children. Safety and welfare of the students is of paramount importance at SBC.

We look for staff who are:

• Approachable & empathic to the needs of students
• Enthusiastic & engaging
• Diplomatic, responsible & motivated
• Flexible within the summer school environment

Essential

• Experience in leading or coaching groups of children in a professional capacity
• Residential Experience with young people or children
• Genuine enjoyment of working with children
• Strong communication skills, ability to work under pressure, flexibility
• Ability to lead a group of children on activities and during excursions

Desirable

• Qualifications and experience in leading young people in sports or arts
• First Aid/Lifeguard qualification
• Experience in coaching other sports
• Experience of residential international boarding

About Us

Founded in 2008, Summer Boarding Courses have united students from around the world through education. Delivering award-winning courses that strike the perfect balance between academic and social enrichment. Our residential summer courses take place at some of the UK’s top boarding schools and university college campuses. Over 15,800 students from 152 nationalities have been welcomed to study with us to date.

TO APPLY

• Any gaps in your CV will be enquired about and must be explained satisfactorily.
• You will have to prove your Right to Work in the UK.
• You will provide the details of two referees relevant to working with children.
• You will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS).

SBC SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

Summer Boarding Courses is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.