Mentors

Aim

To ensure students at Harton Technology College have access to a Learning Mentor or relevant agency to help them overcome barriers to individual learning both in and out of school and thereby raise achievement to ensure that all students reach their full potential.

To identify obstacles to learning and provide guidance and support for young people.

To liaise with parents, Educational Welfare Officer (EWO), School Psychological Service and any relevant agencies so that a co-ordinated approach is achieved.

To ensure that the Learning Mentor Programme complements and supports the schools’ academic/pastoral systems.

Objectives

To develop one to one mentoring relationships with those pupils needing support aimed at helping them to achieve the targets set out in their Individual Action Plan.

To utilise assessment data in Harton School and that, which is collected from the Primary School to identify those, who would most benefit from the Learning Mentor Programme.

To provide skills which complement those of existing teaching and pastoral staff, the EWO, the Educational Psychologist, Personal Advisors and other outside agencies.

To secure the positive and active involvement of families/carers to support students in order to remove barriers to learning.

To put in place monitoring procedures to ensure consistency of approach and to track progress.

Target Groups:

• Students who are identified as underachieving;
• Students who are vulnerable;
• Looked after children;
• Poor attenders;
• Students who are having problems due to personal circumstances;
• The Gifted and Talented;
• Students transferring from the Primary School;
• Students who have a Pastoral Support Programme (PSP);
• Students returning to school after a sustained absence who may need support;
• Students who have spent time in the Learning Support Unit (LSU).

Identifying students for mentoring:

All staff will be involved in identifying students who are experiencing barriers to their learning. Referral should be through the Head of Year. The caseload will be made up from students who show they are underachieving in their academic performance and/or to be disengaged through clear evidence of at least one of the following:

• Disruptive behaviour;
• Low motivation;
• Truancy;
• Poor attendance;
• Previous exclusions;
• Underachievement using specified data e.g. cognitive aptitude tests, National Assessment Tests, school based data;
• Children at risk, e.g. looked after, Child Protection Register, poor social skills;
• Excluded students;
• Other, e.g. medical needs, bereavement;
• Has a PSP or is to be put on this programme.

The data that will be used:

• Key stages 2 and 3 National Assessment Test results;
• Cognitive aptitude test scores;
• School assessment data;
• External agency data;
• Special Educational Needs (SEN) register;
• Attendance register;
• Parental referrals;
• Self assessment by students as part of the Tutor Review;
• On-call data;
• Students excluded to the LSU.

Staff

• Mr J. Clayton (Learning Support Unit Manager)
• Mrs C. Collins (Learning Mentor)