Secondary School Engagement Officer
Location: Ashton Park School & Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday (some evening/weekend work will be required)
Contract: 1-year fixed term (with the potential for extension, subject to funding)
Criminal Record Check: Enhanced with Child Barred List
Salary: £26,000
Do you want to make a real difference to young people’s lives through sport?
Bristol Bears Foundation is the official charity of Bristol Bears. We believe rugby is more than just a game. It’s our way to create lasting change. Through our strategy, Beyond the Bear, we use rugby as a tool to tackle inequality by inspiring healthier, stronger, and more connected communities across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.
We’re looking for a passionate and driven Secondary School Engagement Officer to deliver school-based interventions that support young people to re-engage with education, improve wellbeing, and reach their potential. This role will be based full-time at Ashton Park School, where you will represent Bristol Bears Foundation on-site, delivering impactful programmes and building strong relationships with staff and students.
Your Role
As our Secondary School Engagement Officer, you will play a key role in delivering and developing targeted interventions within Ashton Park School, working closely with the School Engagement Manager and school staff.
You will support KS3 and KS4 pupils through a combination of 1-to-1 mentoring, small group interventions, and extracurricular activities, using sport and positive engagement to improve outcomes for young people.
Key areas of responsibility include:
- Delivering targeted interventions such as Bear in Mind and Bright Sparks in collaboration with pastoral and SEND teams
- Supporting identified young people through 1-to-1 mentoring and small group sessions to aid re-engagement with education
- Planning and delivering engaging sessions that promote personal development and wellbeing
- Acting as a positive role model, providing guidance and signposting to appropriate support services
- Supporting the collection of data aligned with KPIs, including attendance and engagement outcomes
- Maintaining strong relationships with school staff and providing regular progress updates
What You’ll Bring
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you’re excited about the role and meet most of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you.
Essential:
- Experience working with young people aged 11–16, particularly those from targeted or disadvantaged backgrounds
- Experience delivering structured sessions, mentoring, or interventions within education, youth work, or community settings
- Effective Mentoring Level 2 (or willingness to work towards)
- Experience supporting young people with behavioural needs and/or special educational needs (SEND)
- England Rugby Coaching Award (ERCA), RFU Level 2 Coaching Award (or equivalent), or willingness to work towards
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- Ability to monitor, record, and evaluate session outcomes
- Flexible approach to working hours, including evenings and weekends
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
- Enhanced DBS check and two satisfactory references
Desirable
- Youth Work Level 2 or 3 qualification
- Multi-Skills Level 2 qualification
- Teaching qualification of any kind
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Access to matchday tickets for both Bristol Bears and Bristol City Football Club
- Bristol Bears branded kit
- Continuous professional development opportunities
The closing date for applications is 2 August 2026.
*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if a high volume of applicants are received and previous applicants need not apply*