School mentors

Schools within Brent employ learning mentors and teaching assistants directly and maintain details of these individually.

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-judgmental adult advice
• opportunities for the adult to share their knowledge, skills and life experiences - thus providing a positive role model.

If a student requires a mentor they can self-refer by speaking to their form tutor or the Lead Learning Mentor in their school.

Becoming a mentor
Learning mentors work in the school to which they are attached. Schools recruit as and when vacancies arise. They will usually advertise on the Brent jobs website. 
 
Learning mentors provide an additional service to teachers and pastoral staff in schools to help children overcome barriers to learning, both inside and outside the school, and to achieve their full potential.

They work closely with teachers, teaching assistants, special needs assistants and classroom volunteers to identify young people who are not achieving their full potential, and develop action plans to meet learning goals.They then support the children to help them achieve these goals.

Mentors may work with children in a one-to-one relationship, or with small groups.They run after school clubs and lunch time activities. They may provide support with truancy/absence, in the playground or developing social skills. They also liaise with the family or carers in supporting a young person.

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.

The main requirements are:

• an ability to form good relationships with a wide range of young people and their families/carers and within a variety of organisations
• an ability to gain the confidence of children, schools, agencies and people in the community
• 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 grades (A-C) or equivalent in English and maths. Previous experience of working with young people is an advantage.

Learning mentors attend a six day training programme once they are appointed.

If you require futher information contact Veronica Patten, Learning Mentor Co-ordinator on 020 8937 3383.