Overview
Learning mentors sit at the intersection of pastoral care and academic support. They work with pupils who are struggling not because of ability but because of circumstances: poor attendance, family difficulties, low confidence, behavioural challenges, or transition anxiety. The role requires someone who can build relationships, set targets, and work alongside teachers, parents, and external agencies.
Marcus Thornton graduated with a degree in Education and Social Policy from the University of Birmingham. He completed placements in two secondary schools, worked part-time as a sports coach at a youth club, and volunteered as a peer mentor during his degree. His resume shows a candidate who understands that learning mentoring is about removing barriers to learning, not teaching content.
What Makes This Resume Work
Attendance data makes the impact concrete. Marcus describes running an attendance intervention for 12 persistent absentees in Year 9, and reports that average attendance across the group improved from 72% to 86% over one term. A headteacher can put a financial value on that improvement.
The mentoring approach is described, not assumed. He explains that he used solution-focused techniques, set SMART targets, and met with pupils weekly. This tells the reader that he has a structured approach, not just good intentions.
Multi-agency working is evident. Marcus mentions attending Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings, liaising with the school's family support worker, and contributing to Early Help assessments. These are real tasks that learning mentors do every week, and naming them shows he is ready for the role.
Key Takeaways
If you are applying for learning mentor positions, focus on the pupils you have supported and the outcomes you helped them achieve. Quantify improvements in attendance, behaviour incidents, or academic engagement. Describe your mentoring approach and any frameworks you have used. Mention any multi-agency work, pastoral care experience, or training in areas like restorative practice, trauma-informed approaches, or ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant).
