Learning Mentor
At Hazelwood Schools, our Learning Mentor provides support and guidance to children to help them overcome social, emotional and behavioural problems which can act as barriers to learning.
The barriers to learning can be wide ranging and often very personal to the individual child. These problems can manifest themselves in different ways including: challenging behaviour, being unable to control strong feelings, bullying or disengagement from learning and participation.
Our Learning Mentor’s role is to help identify and target children at risk of disaffection and help them to identify and address what is getting in the way of their learning. Through mentoring, one to one, small groups, such as friendship and anger management, individual interventions are carefully planned for each child to improve their social skills.
Children who find learning difficult are supported both within the classroom and through targeted interventions in order to enable them to overcome their barrier to learning. Strategies are given to each child to allow them to manage difficulties which helps to build up their confidence.
Our Learning Mentor is here to:
- Listen
- Offer support
- Promote positive behaviour
- Offer encouragement and build self-esteem, resilience and confidence
- Identify the barriers to learning and set targets
Who does the Learning Mentor work with?
- Individuals and groups of children
- Teachers and other members of staff i.e. support staff
- Parents/carers
- External agencies such as; Social Services, Police, Health Professionals, Education Welfare Service, Sure Start, School Doctor/Nurse/ CAMHS/ Trinity Hospice / Children’s centre
The Role of the Learning Mentor
For children
- Build confidence, raise self-esteem, build resilience and motivation
- Improve social skills, form relationships with friends, family and staff
- Improve attendance and punctuality
- Remove barriers to learning
- Help children to achieve their potential
For families
- Support the Inclusion Manager with strengthening communication links between home and school
For school
- More effective and efficient communication between parents/carers, teachers and outside agencies
- Effective pastoral care
- Reduction in anti-social behaviour
What strategies does the Learning Mentor use to help a child further or reach their full potential?
- 1:1 mentoring session to discuss problems and address how these may be overcome
- Individual sessions focusing on particular issues such as behaviour, bullying, attendance etc.
- Group activities – focussing on specific areas – such as resilience, self-esteem, friendships etc.
- Utilisation of Child’s own hobbies or interests to enhance performance
- Peer mentoring and the buddy system
- In collaboration with the Inclusion Manager, liaise with parents and other agencies where necessary
Mrs Walls is available both before and after school; please make an appointment via the office if you wish to speak with her about your child.