The Mentor Programme
There are currently 114 Learning Mentors and BIP Mentors across
Lincolnshire. The Learning Mentor programme began
in Lincolnshire in September 2003. As part of the government’s
Excellence Clusters initiative, 45 primary and secondary schools in
the geographical clusters of Grantham, Boston and Spalding, were
given funding to employ Learning Mentors.
Learning Mentors work one to one and in groups both outside and
inside the classroom to address and remove barriers to learning.
They work with pupils, staff, parents and outside agencies to fully
address the needs of the individual child.
The key focus of the work is supporting children and raising
standards of achievement. They free teachers to teach as well as
transform young people's attitudes towards school, their ability to
cope with the challenges that they face, raise their self esteem
and confidence and ultimately their ability to achieve their true
potential.
The Learning Mentor strand supports schools in raising standards,
specifically in raising pupils’ attainment, improving attendance,
reducing permanent and fixed term exclusions and raising
aspirations. Learning Mentors also facilitate the smooth transition
from primary to secondary school, improve behaviour, work with
bereaved children, work with children in care and young carers,
facilitate playground activities and school clubs and improve study
skills and organisational skills.
In 2005 BIP was established in 16 of the schools in the clusters.
As part of BIP, BIP Mentors were employed in these
schools. BIP Mentors work to achieve the same
goals as learning mentors (improve behaviour, improve attendance,
reduce exclusions) but they are more specific in their work and
solely address attendance and behaviour issues. BIP Mentors also
work one to one and in groups with pupils inside and outside the
classroom, but they may also be based in a Learning Support Unit.
BIP Mentors work with the pupils who have the most severe behaviour
and attendance issues. BIP Mentors also work closely with school
staff, parents and outside agencies.