LEARNING MENTOR JOB

Learning mentors provide a complementary service to teachers and other staff, addressing the needs of children who require assistance in overcoming barriers to learning in order to achieve their full potential. They work with a range of pupils, but give priority to those who need the most help, especially those experiencing multiple disadvantages. The variety of issues covered is vast, ranging from punctuality, absence, bullying, challenging behavior and abuse to working with able and gifted pupils who are experiencing difficulties. Learning mentors are predominantly education based (in primary, secondary and further education settings)
Have a wider remit including families and the wider community.

Learning mentors work mainly with children on a one-to-one basis or in small or large groups, acting as a: Listener, Facilitator for learning, encourager, motivator, role model. Tasks typically involve: identifying, in association with school staff, pupils who would benefit from mentoring. Helping pupils who are underperforming in their subjects on a one-to-one basis outside the classroom and looking at why they are underperforming and what can be done to help their situation.

Implementing strategies and supporting pupils in self-esteem and confidence-building activities. Listening to and helping pupils resolve a range of issues that are creating barriers to learning. Setting up and running circle time sessions and anger management groups. Drawing up agreed action plans with pupils, outlining the aims of the monitoring attendance and punctuality of pupils. Learning mentors are also involved in visiting parents at home to discuss issues and problems, and running group sessions and workshops for parents at school.

Advising parents on behavior strategies and parenting skills. Networking with other learning mentors and teachers and referring pupils to other appropriate professionals, e.g. social workers, educational psychologists and personal advisers. Other activities may also involve: Organizing and running extracurricular activities, such as sports, music and discos, during lunch times or as out-of-school activities, setting up breakfast clubs and drop-in 'offload' sessions for pupils, helping with transition activities for pupils moving to secondary schools.