Student Mentor

The School:

North London Grammar School (NLGS) is an 'Outstanding' school in all categories (Ofsted, 2018). NLGS is a modern independent grammar school situated in Hendon with state-of-the-art facilities where interactive TV Learning Boards are available in every classroom. Since September 2019, with North London Prep School (NLPS), we have expanded, with the same principles, to provide a safe, stimulating learning environment for 7 to 11-year-olds within small classes where individual attention and interactive activities are more achievable.

Main Purpose: 

To work with young people struggling to make the right choices; to help them refocus, understand how to make different choices and help them back to being their best selves.

Working within the Pastoral Team, the Student Mentor (SM) will support students in years 7-11 in one-to-one or small group sessions, utilising restorative language and activities, setting targets for improvement, working with parents and families in a collaborative approach to re-engaging young people who are making the wrong choices.

Main Tasks:

The post holder will work with the Director of Pastoral on cohorts of students who need additional support. These may be those exhibiting challenging behaviour, disengaged from learning, or external influences that provide barriers to learning.

Running to an agreed timetable, the SM will work with an individual or small group of students in activities that help them understand how wrong choices affect their ability to learn, enjoy school and make the best progress they can. Knowledge of restorative practice or willingness to train as a therapeutic practitioner is desirable. Provision will be bespoke, and the SM will need to be able to plan, carry out and lead sessions effectively.

North London Grammar School understands that the involvement of families is essential in ensuring that messages are consistent and reinforced, so the SM will be expected to involve families from the outset of any intervention plans. In addition, the SM may need to involve external partners in planning support.

A programme of monitoring and evaluation will be essential. The post holder should track the progress and effectiveness of the intervention, feeding this information back to the Director of Pastoral, families and the students. North London Grammar School promotes and rewards good behaviour.

The previous candidate took part in running clubs of particular interest, organised charity events, and oversaw students participating in these events. We were also in charge of the school peer mentoring program and were on the duty rota.

Duties: 

1. To plan and deliver bespoke restorative support for agreed students in years 7-11.

2. To work in partnership with pastoral staff and parents to draw up a timetable of intervention for each year and implement an action plan for each student in need of support.

3. To develop a 1:1 mentoring relationship with students receiving support to achieve the goals defined in their individual action plan.

4. To monitor and evaluate each student's progress on their path to re-engagement and making the right choices. To maintain an accurate account of behaviour incidents and use this information to inform the development of proactive intervention strategies/action plans for sustainable improvement.

5. To provide progress data against targets to the Director of Pastoral and liaise with parents.

6. To develop knowledge and appreciation of the range of programmes, activities, courses, opportunities, organisations, and individuals that could be drawn upon to provide extra support for "at-risk" students.

7. To support the school's study support program and help students make the right choices about engaging in the completion of sanctions.

8. Supervise pupils in the Internal Exclusion room, ensuring students are safe and supported as they learn in a non-judgemental space.

9. Help students build self-confidence and esteem by listening to them and devising appropriate strategies to help deal with difficult situations.

10. Build relationships with parents to address issues which arise, offering advice and strategies to help

11. Act as a positive role model for our students

12. Attend meetings as required

13. Ensure all notes are up to date

14. Any other duties which are appropriate to the post that the Headteacher/Director of Pastoral may direct.

15. To ensure a rigorous approach towards the commitment to protect students at North London Grammar School, giving clear signals that the school takes the safeguarding of students seriously in all aspects of its practice

Health and Safety

Undergo Basic First Aid training and update courses. • Be aware of the responsibility for personal Health, Safety and Welfare and that of others who may be affected by your actions or inactions.

Continuing Professional Development – Personal

In conjunction with the line manager, take responsibility for personal and professional development, keeping up to date with research and developments in care and guidance. 

Undertake any necessary professional development as identified in the School Improvement Plan, taking full advantage of any relevant training and development

Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health and safety, equal opportunities, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to the appropriate person.