Please note a full application including a covering letter detailing your experience alongside a CV is required for applications to be considered. Please be advised applications made without providing a cover letter will not be accepted.

The School of Social Work, Education and Teacher Education (SWETE) is home to a vibrant Initial Teacher Education (ITE) department, delivering high-quality courses across the Primary, Secondary, and Further Education and Skills phases. Within this, the Primary ITE team offers a diverse portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including BA (Hons) Primary Education, PGCE Primary, School-Based routes, Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship, and, from 2026, the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship.

We are seeking to appoint a Phase Lead Mentor (Primary ITE) to play a pivotal role in ensuring and assuring the quality of school-based experiences for our trainees. Working closely with university and school partners across the county, you will take strategic responsibility for mentoring and coaching in the primary phase, leading on the development and implementation of robust quality assurance processes for placements and mentor training. You will also contribute to course development and partnership engagement.

Applicants will bring recent experience in a primary school context, a strong track record in mentoring trainees, and a commitment to promoting high-quality mentoring and mentor training. This role is ideal for those currently working in Initial Teacher Education within Higher Education or for experienced school practitioners seeking to transition into a university setting.

Essential Requirements- Within your application documents you must be able to evidence your Masters degree in a related area (or equivalent) and Fellow of the HEA or be able to clearly demonstrate within your cover letter your commitment to achieving these in a suitable timeframe.

DBS- Please be advised if successful as part of the onboarding for this role you will be required to undergo a DBS Check.

The role involves occasional travel to placement sites as required. For this reason, it is desirable that you have access to your own transport and hold appropriate business‑use insurance, as some placement locations may not be accessible by public transport.

How will you work?

We are committed to supporting flexible methods of working wherever possible and this role is hybrid, Campus attendance will vary on a day-to-day basis and across the year but must purposefully align to the service being delivered and to the needs of our students, staff, and stakeholders. It is expected that the majority of your working time will be spent on campus.

How to apply

Start date for applications: Monday 26th January 2026
Closing date for applications: Sunday 8th February 2026
Interviews are to be held: W/c 16th February 2026

If you require further information regarding the post please feel free to contact the Head of Initial Teacher Education, Dr. Vikki Schulze vikki.schulze@canterbury.ac.uk (strictly no agencies, thank you) quoting reference number REQ06021.

Additional Information

Canterbury Christ Church University truly welcomes fresh perspectives and new voices. We want you to bring the real you to work, so we are committed to building a genuinely inclusive working environment where everyone is welcomed and where everyone can have a true sense of belonging. Our spirit of community will help us to eliminate discrimination and will enable us all to thrive in a culture that is underpinned by fairness and justice. We therefore seek people to join us who will proactively support and shape this aim and contribute in their own unique way. If this is you, then we are waiting to hear from you. #yourCCCU

Our University is deeply committed to shaping sustainable futures as a key part of its mission and values. If you share this passion, we encourage you to join us in making CCCU a more socially and environmentally conscious, sustainable place to study and work

Employment Visa Clarification: According to the UK Government Points Based System, this position may not fulfil the requirements for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route application.

Please note applications must be made online via the University website; details sent directly via email cannot be considered.

Prior consideration will be given to applicants in the University’s redeployment pool. No agencies, thank you.