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.

• Do you currently work in a library, learning resource centre, study centre, or another youth-focused educational environment? Are you passionate about reading and committed to inspiring a lifelong love of books in young people?
• Do you have a strong understanding of teenage interests, trends, and culture, alongside a belief in the transformative power of education and social mobility?
• Are you highly organised, confident using technology, and enthusiastic about creating innovative, collaborative learning spaces that support pupil achievement?
• Would you value a full-time, permanent role with the benefit of school holidays, based in South Manchester with excellent transport links?
• Are you looking to join a supportive and ambitious team that is committed to continuous improvement, high standards, and delivering the very best outcomes for pupils?
• Would you like to work in a diverse and inclusive school community, where excellent pupil behaviour and a calm, purposeful learning environment enable both staff and students to thrive?
• If so, we would love to hear from you.
Duties of the Reading Support and Library Manager:
• Lead and develop our Learning Resource Centre, ensuring it remains a vibrant, innovative, and future-focused centre for reading, research, and independent learning.
• To support the English Lead Practitioner with reading interventions across the school with the delivery of targeted reading intervention and support programmes to improve pupils' reading confidence, fluency, and comprehension.
• Maintain a well-organised, welcoming, and purposeful learning environment through effective library management, including cataloguing, stock control, and the implementation of 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.
Reading Support and Library Manager must:
• 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.
You will benefit from:
• 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 wellbeing 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.
Important Details:
• 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 hr@thebarlowrchigh.co.uk Closing date: Friday 26th June, 8.00am Interview date: Week Beginning Monday 29th June 2026


• 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 wellbeing 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.
Important Details:
• 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%.