Learning Mentor

Job Description:

Learning mentors support students and trainees who need extra help with their learning.

Job Category:

Education

See Education jobs Practice Video Interview

What you will do:

As a learning mentor you could:

support students in lessons and activities
build relationships with students and promote positive behaviour
create action plans with students and monitor their progress
keep records, prepare reports and give advice to families
work with teachers and other professionals like social workers, education welfare officers and educational psychologists

Skills:

You’ll need:

knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As well as:

counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
sensitivity and understanding
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations (leadership skills)
customer service skills
the ability to work well with others (teamwork)
excellent verbal communication skills
the ability to understand people’s reactions

Restrictions and Requirements
You’ll need to pass enhanced background checks

Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

Becoming a Learning Mentor involves supporting and guiding students in their educational and personal development. While there are no specific GCSE subjects that are required for this role, certain subjects can provide a foundation for skills and knowledge that may be helpful in working with students and contributing to their growth, such as:

English: Strong communication skills are essential for building relationships with students, understanding their needs, and effectively conveying information and guidance.
Mathematics: Basic mathematical skills can be helpful for assisting students with numeracy-related challenges or helping them understand concepts in subjects that involve math.
Psychology or Sociology (if available): These subjects can provide insights into human behavior, social interactions, and the psychological factors that influence learning and development.
Personal Development or Citizenship Education (if available): These subjects can help you understand topics related to personal growth, social responsibility, and building positive relationships.
Child Development or Early Childhood Studies (if available): If you’re interested in working with younger students, subjects related to child development can be beneficial.
Special Educational Needs (SEN) or Inclusion Studies (if available): If you’re interested in working with students who have special educational needs, these subjects can provide insights into inclusive education and support strategies.
Physical Education (PE): While not directly related, physical activity and wellness are important for holistic student development. Some schools value mentors who can encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
IT or Computer Science (Optional): Proficiency in using technology can be useful for accessing online resources and supporting students’ digital literacy skills.

Post School

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
applying directly

College
You could do a college course to get some of the skills you’ll need as a learning mentor. Courses include:

Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
Certificate in Education and Early Years

Apprenticeship
You could do a Learning and Skills Mentor Higher Apprenticeship.

This takes a minimum of 12 months to complete.

Volunteering
You’ll find it useful to get some volunteering experience, working with children or young people.

Direct Application
You could apply directly to become a learning mentor. The qualifications and experience you’ll need will vary depending on where you work.

You’ll usually need paid or voluntary experience of working with children or young people.

You might find it useful to have mentoring experience outside of education, such as:

supporting disabled people
helping young people with mental health issues
mentoring someone to start their own business
peer mentoring on anti-bullying projects

Working Hours and Environment:

You could typically work 36 to 40 hours per week.

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

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience, you could specialise in working with particular groups, like excluded students. You could also become a senior mentor.

With further training, you could move into:

student advice and guidance
teaching
counselling
educational welfare
social work