Learning Mentors originated as one of the three main strands of the Excellence in Cities (EiC) initiative, and work largely in primary and secondary education settings. They are:

• Salaried staff who work with school and college students and pupils to help them address barriers to learning
• A bridge across academic and pastoral support roles with the aim of ensuring that individual pupils and students engage more effectively in learning and achieve appropriately
• A key ingredient in many school, college and local area integrated approaches in improving the achievement levels of pupils and students

The number of learning mentors working in schools has increased. Learning mentors work for a specified amount of time with individual children and young people. They also run small groups sessions, study support sessions, and clubs.

Young people are referred to learning mentors through structured systems within schools and settings

Work with young people - Becoming a Mentor
Learning mentors have helped 1430 pupils this year. Mentors may work with children in a one-to-one relationship, or with small groups. Most of their work involves working with these children to help them progress in the classroom or other school activities, e.g. lunchtimes or outings. They may provide support with truancy/absence, in the playground or developing social skills. They also keep in contact with the children's family or carers to try and get support and involvement from them in meeting the child's needs and helping their progress.

Learning mentors often refer the children they are supporting onto other agencies, courses, organisations, activities or individuals for extra support. Referrals could be to social and youth services, education welfare services, probation and careers services, out of school study support and business and community voluntary mentors. They need to share information between all the different people and organisations involved in supporting the children they are mentoring.

The main requirements are:

• an ability to form good relationships with a wide range of young people and their families/carers and with a variety of organisations
• ability to gain the confidence of children, schools, agencies and people in the community and business
• skills in negotiating, planning and managing activities.

Learning mentors need good listening skills and an understanding of health and social issues that affect children's development. They will need to understand the school curriculum and the needs of learners. Mentors need competence in literacy and numeracy and may require GCSE/S grade (A-C/1-3) or equivalent in English and maths. They may also be required to have a professional qualification in education, social work or nursing.

Training is usually on-the-job, although occasionally outside training may be available to address a particular need of the school, for instance, cross-cultural issues. For more information please contact us using the details above.

Obtaining a Mentor
Mentoring is a relationship between a young person and an adult that will provide the young person with:

• consistent support
• guidance and assistance
• opportunities to access important non-judgemental adult advice
• opportunities for the adult to share their knowledge, skills and life experiences-thus providing a positive role model

Key Factors for Success

• Effective targeting of learning mentor support
• Clear criteria for referral and exiting
• Frequent reviews with young people, parents/carers and managers
• Good communication with partner organisations

School Self Review
Secondary schools identified areas for development by using a self-review document.  Schools assessed their performance in twelve areas relating to the learning mentor strand.  Common areas for development across all schools were planning and communication with parents/carers, the community and external agencies.

If you are interested in applying to become a Mentor, please telephone us on 0115 9150638.

Download

PLM Final Report 05-06 (6mb)
Final Transition Report 2005-2006 (9.5mb)
 Self Evaluation Framework (201kb)
 Ticket to the Future (608kb)
 Learning Mentor Audit Tool (235kb)
 Learning Mentor Functional Map (618kb)
 Learning Mentor Monitoring and Evaluation (91kb)

National website - www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/learningmentors