Learning Mentor

The Role

PURPOSE OF THE POST:

Purpose: To offer academic, personal and emotional support and guidance to our young people not only within the classroom but throughout the wider school, therefore improving life chances.

Main Duties

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Work closely with teaching staff at the Academy to address the needs of students requiring particular help to overcome barriers to learning, and to provide a range of strategies to help pupils achieve their full potential by further developing their skills.
• Support identified students both in the class room and in the Extended Learning department. This may include physiotherapy and hydrotherapy sessions.
• Support learning and behaviour for individual and for groups, as directed.
• Support the corporate life of the Trust and project a positive image of the Trust.
• Work collaboratively with the Trust colleagues and to contribute towards the quality of teaching and learning and achievement and behaviour for all students to encourage self-esteem and progress so students can be the best they can be.
• Support the efficient, effective, economic and safe use of resources, having due regard to the policies of the Trust.
• Contribute to the production, monitoring and review of effective resources and action plans in line with the Trust’s defined objectives and performance targets.
• Develop skills to meet the requirements of the post and to respond flexibly in order to meet the needs of the Trust and identified students with SEND.
• Act responsibly in order to build mutual confidence and respect and foster effective working relationships with all.
• Act as a role model, challenge and motivate, promote and reinforce self-esteem and establish productive relationships with students.
• Be committed and sensitive in ensuring equality of opportunity for pupils.
• Ensure that the legal, statutory and other relevant provisions governing of affecting the Trust are strictly observed.
• Ensure that target groups of students are supported.
• Ensure that senior staff, the line manager, SENCO and relevant teaching staff and year heads are kept informed about each student’s progress and that all support is in line with the Trust’s expectations, policies and practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Have a clear focus with a target group of pupils of improving their attainment and behaviour.
• Provide senior staff with relevant information about students in order that students needing support can be identified effectively and appropriate interventions agreed.
• Work with other staff to draw up and implement action support and interventions for students with SEND.
• Provide a range of opportunities for the target group of pupils to support them in achieving their targets, both in a 1:1 or group setting
• Maintain regular contact, where appropriate, with families of SEND STUDENTS to keep them informed of the student’s progress. To secure positive family support and involvement in the pupil’s education.
• Work closely with the SENCO and Class Teacher to ensure that the needs of the students are planned for, and me.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on the success of all interventions and support the SENCO.
• Have full knowledge and appreciation of the range of activities and interventions in an academic setting.
• Take part in all appropriate INSET as identified by the Trust.

All adults employed by the Trust are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children they are responsible for or come into contact with. Whilst every endeavour has been made to outline all the duties and responsibilities of the post, this document does not specify every item in detail. Where broad headings have been used, all associated duties are naturally included in the job description.

METHODS OF WORKING

The post holder must:

• Maintain confidentiality and observe data protection and associated guidelines where appropriate;
• Maintain an awareness of Safeguarding Children and Child Protection;
• Understand and comply with the Trust’s Health and Safety Policy in the performance of their duties and responsibilities;
• Carry out the duties of the post in compliance with the academy’s Equal Opportunities Policy;
• Understand and comply with all other relevant academy policies;
• Take an active part in appraising their own work against agreed priorities, targets, professional development and supervision arrangements;
• Undertake any necessary training associated with the duties of the post;
• Carry out any other reasonable duties and responsibilities within the overall function, commensurate with the grading and level of responsibilities of the post.

Benefits

Other
Benefits with Vivup	Access to 750+ discounts on everyday essentials via our benefits package with Vivup.
Blue Light Card	Access to lots of discounts for just £5 every two years
Discount for Teachers	Exclusive discounts, cashback & vouchers for Teachers & Education Staff. For teaching assistants, headteachers, administrators, and everyone in between.

Qualifications

Qualification Title	Grade
Good qualifications in both English and Maths	GCSE English and Maths A* - C or equivalent	Essential
Relevant Qualifications for the role	Relevant qualification in Childcare and/or Education	Desirable

Skills

Experience
Experience of working with children	Essential
Being a paid worker in play schemes, creches, midday supervison, after-school clubs or similar	Desirable
Currently working as a Learning Mentor or Teaching Assistant	Desirable
Relevant Skills
Essential Skills for the Role of Learning Mentor - Help professional staff to achieve their objectives; assist on an individual basis, in small group and whole class work; explain tasks simply and clearly and foster independence; supervise children, and adhere to defined behaviour management policies; accept and respond to authority and supervison; work with guidance, but under limited supervison; liase and communicate effectively with others; demonstrate good organisational skills; reflect on and develop professional practice, display work effectively, and make and maintain basic teaching resources.	Essential
Desirable Skills for the role of Learning Mentor - monitor, record and make basic assessments about individual progress; suggest alternative ways of helping children if they are unable to understand; describe in simple terms, the process of behaviour management with children; identify gaps in their own experience that they need help in filling; demonstrate the ability to learn and adapt from past experience;	Desirable
Personal Attributes
Essential Personal Qualities - ability to work flexibly in order to meet the demands of the role; enthusiastic, hardworking and assertive; excellent attendance and timekeeping record; meet deadlines and respond to unplanned situations; ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative; self-motivating with the ability to multi-task; commitment to the highest standards of child protection; recognition of the importance of personal responsibility for Health & Safety	Essential
Desirable Personal Qualities - desire to enhance and develop skills and knowledge through continuous professional development	Desirable