Learning Mentor
What is the work like?
Learning mentors work with pupils of all abilities who need help to overcome difficulties that are getting in the way of their learning.
As a learning mentor you could work in primary or secondary schools, or colleges, supporting pupils with issues such as:
- poor attendance
- lack of self-confidence, self-esteem or motivation
- failure to achieve their full potential
- behavioural or emotional difficulties
- difficulty settling into school and making relationships with other pupils or staff
- personal crises such as bereavement, bullying, trouble with the police or problems at home.
You would work with pupils on a one-to-one basis outside the classroom. You might also provide group activities such as anger-management sessions and take part in out-of-school activities like breakfast, after-school and homework clubs.
Your work would include:
- developing one-to-one mentoring relationships with pupils
- visiting parents at home to advise on ways of dealing with issues and concerns
- developing action plans and monitoring their progress
- working closely with teachers and other professionals, such as social workers, educational psychologists, education welfare officers and Connexions Personal Advisers.
Visit the Department for Children, Schools and Families website for more details on the learning mentor role.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Local education authorities (LEAs) and schools vary in their entry requirements for learning mentors, but as a minimum you will need:
- a good standard of general education, especially literacy and numeracy
- experience of working with children or young people (paid or through volunteering)
- CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) clearance.
Some employers may expect you have a qualification or experience in an area such as teaching, learning support, social work, educational welfare, youth work or counselling.
You may also find it useful to have experience of other types of mentoring, either as a mentor or a mentee. Visit the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation website for details of joining a volunteer mentoring scheme.
What further training and development can I do?
As a new learning mentor you will complete the five day National Learning Mentor Induction Training Programme, and will probably attend an induction programme in your school or college.
You will also have opportunities for further in-service training and for working towards NVQ levels 3 and 4 in Learning, Development and Support Services. These NVQs include a specialist option for learning mentors. Some courses may be described as Learning Mentor NVQs. You will normally complete NVQ level 4 if you are a learning mentor coordinator.
You could also do higher education qualifications, like the foundation degree in Supporting Learning and Teaching.
You may wish to train in particular aspects of the work, such as counselling skills.
Where can I go for more information?
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
Related profiles...
Nursery/Primary School Teacher (Scotland)
Special Needs Teaching Assistant
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Salaries can be around £16,500 to £26,000 a year.
There is no national pay scale and wage rates are set by each LEA. Some learning mentors are part-time and/or paid term-time only and earn a portion of full-time rates (known as 'pro rata' payment). This means that actual annual income may be less than above.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work school hours, Monday to Friday, during term-time. You might sometimes need to work in the evenings, for example to run out-of school activities, visit parents who work during the day or attend training.
Some mentors work 37 hours a week, but you may be able to do part-time work or job share.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good communication and listening skills
- a non-judgmental approach
- the ability to gain trust and respect from pupils and parents
- a confident and positive outlook
- a flexible and creative approach to problem solving
- the ability to network and work as part of a team
- an understanding of child development
- good planning and organisational skills.
What opportunities are there?
With experience you may be able to progress to lead learning mentor and learning mentor coordinator.
You could choose to do further training and qualifications so that you can move into other roles such as teaching, speech and language therapy and social work. See the separate profiles for details of these.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
LG Jobseteach.com
Good Practice Guidelines for Learning Mentors
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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