Learning mentors are one of the three main strands of the Excellence in Cities (EiC) initiative. They work with teaching and pastoral staff to identify, assess and work with pupils who need help to overcome barriers to learning. These barriers can include, amongst others:
- behavioural problems
- bereavement
- difficulties at home
- problems transferring from primary to secondary school
- poor study or organisational skills
Pupils suffering multiple disadvantages are a particular priority for support. The key focus of the work is supporting children and raising standards of achievement.
"Learning mentors are making a significant effect on the attendance, behaviour, self-esteem and progress of the pupils they support… the most successful and highly valued strand of the EiC programme… In 95% of the survey schools, inspectors judged that the mentoring programme made a positive contribution to the mainstream provision of the school as a whole, and had a beneficial effect on the behaviour of individual pupils and on their ability to learn and make progress." Excellence in Cities and Education Action Zones: management and impact (p46, Ofsted, 2003)
They free teachers to teach as well as transform young people's attitudes towards school, their ability to cope with the challenges that they face, and ultimately their ability to achieve their true potential.
Their work typically takes the form of regular one-to-one sessions with children identified as requiring help, during which the learning mentor and child will agree targets for areas of concern (e.g. attendance, behaviour and attainment), and talk through any concerns the child might have regarding learning.
Learning mentors will typically form a relationship with the child, school staff and parents or carers in order to improve the child's engagement with learning.
FAQs
What is a Learning Mentor ?
Learning Mentors are salaried school staff who help pupils to overcome problems that are getting in the way of their learning. These problems can be anything from difficulties at home, to problems with the law, suffering from bullying, or just general disaffection.
What is the purpose of Learning Mentors?
To help pupils overcome social, emotional and behavioural problems which act as barriers to learning, and therefore to learn more effectively.
What do Learning Mentors actually do?
This varies from school to school, depending on requirements; in general, Learning Mentors support children by listening to and encouraging them, and facilitate co-operation between the pupil and the school.
Learning Mentors are not classroom assistants
They aren't counsellors
They aren't disciplinarians, or a form of punishment
They are not teachers
Is there any training leading to qualifications for Learning Mentors?
All Learning Mentors funded through EiC are sent on a five day training course before, or shortly after, coming into post.
After that initial training, Learning Mentors may receive further instruction through locally organised events, usually managed by the Learning Mentor Strand Co-ordinator in their area. If you have any specific requirements (for example, work on anger management with mentees), you might ask your LMSC to consider planning a training session for you and other mentors in your area.
The National Occupational Standards for Learning Mentors, developed over the last year, were approved in November 2003. These will lead to recognised qualifications for Learning Mentors, Connexions PAs and Education Welfare Officers. Decisions on the final form of these qualifications are currently being taken, and will be announced soon.
What type of people work as Learning Mentors?
Some schools might feel that they need mentors from a particular ethnic or linguistic background, or who can relate to the children at the school in some other way. They might be people who have worked in the past as classroom assistants, teachers, community workers, etc., or be entirely new to the job. Learning mentors can and do come from a wide variety of ages and backgrounds, and there are no "rules" as to the kind of people who will be considered for a post.
How much does a Learning Mentor earn?
This is decided by the Local Education Authority where the schools are situated, and there is, as yet, no standard salary.
How can I become a Learning Mentor ?
Entrance requirements vary considerably, from life experience and a good basic education through to relevant work experience and qualifications at a higher level. Once employed, all Learning Mentors have access to national programme of training for Learning Mentors. A range of related courses are currently being developed.
How many Learning Mentors are there?
There are approximately 8000 EiC Learning Mentors operating across England .
What is the current status of the Learning Mentors project?
There is a proposed expansion for 2004-05 and 2005-06 which will result in a further 20 new Excellence Clusters (5 and 15 in each year respectively). The criteria for these new clusters are currently under review. Between now and April 2005 there will also be 41 new clusters formed on the closure of statutory EAZs, including Preston EAZ which successfully transformed into the City of Preston Excellence Cluster on 1 Dec 2002.
How effective are Learning Mentors?
Evaluation activity shows that Learning Mentors have made a large impact within schools as well as having a positive impact on the achievement of pupils and the subsequent enhancement of their life chances. Feedback from head teachers, teachers, pastoral and subject heads is very positive, with Learning Mentors increasingly becoming key members of the school community. Feedback from parents and families is equally positive, and the young people themselves value the support highly.
Who can I contact for more information about Learning Mentors?
Your local LEA's Excellence in Cities Senior Advisor- Steve Disbrey
Your Local Excellence In Cities/ Excellence Cluster Lead Learning mentor- Claire Josephs
The Learning Mentors team at the DfES.
For further information on the role of the learning mentor please visit DfES- http://standards.dfes.gov.uk/sie
From here select Learning mentors from the quick links page
Excellence in Cities- Introduction to initiative
Excellence in Cities (EiC) is a targeted programme of support for schools in deprived areas of the country. It offers a real chance to transform urban secondary education in these areas where standards have been too low for too long. Results show that it is already beginning to pay off.
EiC provides resources and a coherent programme of strategies focused on teaching and learning, behaviour and attendance, and leadership. The programme is delivered locally by schools working in partnership with their local education authority. Click on the links below to find out more about the background to EiC and the initiatives which make up the programme.
Then from here select EiC overview from the quick links page
Excellence Clusters
Excellence Clusters are designed to bring the benefits of Excellence in Cities (EiC) to small pockets of deprivation. There are currently 50 Excellence Clusters in operation. Some 197 secondary schools and over 470 primary schools are involved in Excellence Clusters. Like EiC, clusters focus on some of the most deprived areas of the country, using a structured programme designed to raise standards. As with the EiC programme, Excellence Clusters are implemented through local partnerships focusing on the needs and aspirations of individual pupils and their parents.
Clusters benefit from extra resources to provide the three core strands of the EiC programme:
- Extended opportunities for gifted and talented pupils
- Access to full time learning mentors for pupils who need them
- Learning support units to tackle disruption.
A fourth strand of funding is available to target particular local issues, as identified by the schools in each cluster.
For further information please visit DfES- http://standards.dfes.gov.uk/sie
Then from here select Excellence Clusters from the quicklinks page
If you need the cluster coordinators' contact details, please get in touch Steve Disbrey- Project director/ Claire Josephs- Lead Learning Mentor
|
