The Tonbridge School Learning Mentor Programme

A mentoring programme in KS2 literacy, numeracy and social skills for local primary school children.

Aims

Boys from Tonbridge who have either had to overcome a learning difficulty or balance significant other commitments with their studies, alongside boys who demonstrate core attributes in pastoral care, social skills and academic excellence, are invited to mentor and support primary school children. Primary school pupils are shown good role models and are provided with 1-to-1 mentoring whilst Tonbridge boys have a chance to improve their communication and leadership skills, alongside working with children with a variety of learning, social and pastoral needs.

Background

The mentor programme was established 7 years ago and is one of Tonbridge School’s most successful community programmes, resulting in improved learning experiences for all involved and allowing Tonbridge boys to feed into an internal, tiered mentoring system that provides older, more experienced learners with the opportunity to support younger boys as subject specialists as they progress through their school career.

Resources

The School’s SENDCo leads the programme with support from other Learning Strategies Teachers from Tonbridge School. 4 teachers from Royal Rise Primary School also attend each weekly session.

The programme uses top-class facilities in the School such as the Learning Strategies Department, with its interactive technology, access to specialist teaching staff and access to collaborative work spaces, the Smythe Library (all 4 floors of it, including the Smythe Library Classroom), the Chapel (where lessons and music concerts are performed to the children) and the Barton Science Centre, where we take advantage of advanced digital technology and break-out learning spaces.

Impact

Royal Rise Primary School report each year that the support their pupils receive has a positive impact on their self-esteem, confidence and academic attainment; many children attending the programme have significant learning needs, complex social and emotional profiles and experience significant barriers to learning for various reasons. It has been reported that the tailored, personalised support from the Learning Mentors leads directly to improvement in academic performance, particularly in preparing pupils for SAT tests and the Kent Test in preparation for attending Kent Grammar Schools (11+).

Pupil Involvement

Approx. 60 boys from years 9 and 10.

Frequency

Weekly for approx.. 45 minutes