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Learning mentor

Learning mentors help students and pupils deal with any difficulties they have with their learning.

Average salary (a year)

£14,500 Starter

to

£23,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 38 term time

You could work

evenings attending events or appointments

How to become a learning mentor

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could take a college course to help you get started in this career. Courses include:

  • Level 2 Award in Mentoring
  • Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
  • Level 3 Award in Information and Advice for Supporting Learner Progression
  • T level in Education

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

More information

Apprenticeship

You can do an advanced apprenticeship in supporting teaching and learning in schools.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More information

Volunteering and experience

You can volunteer to mentor children or young people.

Direct application

You can apply directly to get into this type of work. You'll normally need:

  • a good standard of general education, especially in literacy and numeracy
  • experience of working with children or young people, either through paid work or volunteering

Experience of other types of mentoring outside of education may also be helpful. Examples are peer-to-peer mentoring on anti-bullying projects, supporting people with disabilities or helping young people with health-related issues.

More information

Further information

You can find out more about working in learning support from FE Advice.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • knowledge of psychology
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • customer service skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • knowledge of English language
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

  • developing one-to-one mentoring relationships with pupils
  • visiting parents at home to give them advice about dealing with issues and concerns
  • developing action plans for students and monitoring their progress
  • working closely with teachers and other professionals, like social workers, educational psychologists and education welfare officers

Working environment

You could work at a client's home, at a school or at a college.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

You could specialise in working with particular groups, like excluded students.

You could also move into more senior mentoring roles, with supervisory or co-ordinating duties.

With further training, you might work in student advice and guidance, teaching, speech and language therapy, educational welfare or social work.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Teaching Assistant Apprentice

  • Wage : £117.00 Weekly
  • Location: Sittingbourne ME9 8RS

Teaching Assistant Apprentice

  • Wage : £153.55 Weekly
  • Location: Coventry CV5 7BX
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Mentoring

  • Provider: BEDFORDSHIRE & LUTON EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP
  • Start date: 01 September 2020
  • Location: Luton

Award in Peer Mentoring

  • Provider: THE MARSH ACADEMY
  • Start date: 01 September 2020
  • Location: New Romney
Find courses near you

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