Reading Support & Library Manager

At The Barlow, we are seeking to appoint a Reading Support and Library Manager to lead and develop our brand‑new Learning Resource Centre. This is a permanent position offering the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on pupils' learning, literacy, and personal development.

• Currently working in a library, learning resource centre, study centre, or another youth‑focused educational environment and passionate about reading and inspiring a lifelong love of books?
• Possessing a strong understanding of teenage interests, trends, and culture, alongside a belief in the transformative power of education and social mobility?
• Highly organised, confident using technology, and enthusiastic about creating innovative, collaborative learning spaces that support pupil achievement?
• Looking for a full‑time, permanent role with the benefit of school holidays and excellent transport links based in South Manchester?
• Desire to join a supportive and ambitious team committed to continuous improvement and high standards for pupils?
• Willing to work in a diverse and inclusive school community where pupil behaviour is excellent and a calm, purposeful learning environment enables both staff and students to thrive?
• If the above sound like you, we would love to hear from you.

• Lead and develop our Learning Resource Centre, ensuring it remains a vibrant, innovative, and future‑focused centre for reading, research and independent learning.
• Support the English Lead Practitioner with reading interventions across the school by delivering targeted programmes that improve pupils' reading confidence, fluency and comprehension.
• Maintain a well‑organised, welcoming, and purposeful learning environment through effective library management, cataloguing, stock control and engaging literacy initiatives.
• Champion reading across the school, working with staff and students to embed a culture in which reading is valued, celebrated and enjoyed by all.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the Learning Resource Centre, identifying opportunities to enhance, modernise and future‑proof its services to meet the evolving needs of the school community.

• Have experience of working with young people, ideally within an educational, library or youth‑focused setting.
• Demonstrate the ability to create a forward‑thinking and engaging learning environment, using innovative approaches and collaborative practice to enhance pupil engagement, achievement and wellbeing.
• Be highly reliable, professional and adaptable, with excellent punctuality and attendance.
• Possess strong literacy and numeracy skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Build and maintain positive, professional relationships with students, staff, parents and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a wider team, following guidance and contributing positively to shared goals.
• Be self‑motivated, well‑organised and able to manage competing priorities while consistently meeting deadlines and maintaining high standards.
• Be willing to undertake first aid training and support pupil welfare responsibilities, including providing first aid, caring for unwell pupils and liaising appropriately with parents, carers and staff.

• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives and educational experiences of young people.
• A full‑time role with family‑friendly working hours and the benefit of school holiday periods.
• The security and stability of permanent employment within a successful and well‑established school.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, including valuable benefits such as life assurance and dependants' pensions.
• Access to a wide range of high‑quality professional development and online training opportunities.
• An Employee Assistance Programme, providing confidential well‑being and support services.
• Access to a Cycle to Work Scheme, promoting healthy and sustainable travel.
• A varied and rewarding role with opportunities to develop new skills and make a lasting impact across the school community.

• Contract:
  
  Permanent, full‑time, school term time plus 1 week.
• Salary:
  Grade 4, Points 7‑11 £ 26,403 – £28,142 (actual £22,694 to £24,219 per annum).
• Working Pattern:
  Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Start Date:
  
  1st September 2026.
• Pension:
  Greater Manchester Pension Fund with employer contributions of 17.2%.
• Location:
  
  Parrs Wood Road, Didsbury, M20 6BX
  .

Are you the Reading Support and Library Manager we have been searching for? If so, please get in touch – call the HR team , send over your CV or complete and return an application form at  Closing date:
Friday 26th June, 8.00 am. Interview date:
Week beginning Monday 29th June 2026.