Learning Mentors

It could be Sheffield College or a specially equipped training centre (for building trades or hairdressing for example) or a workplace. There they will be instructed by qualified trainers and taken through the skills and theory behind a particular job. They will also be visited on a regular basis by a member of the school Learning Mentor team. At the end they will receive a qualification at Level 1, or Level 2 (which is GCSE equivalent) and they may be able to continue to study the vocational area at college or go onto a modern apprenticeship post-16.

It really helps some students make up their mind about what they want or don’t want to do with their lives. For others it’s a different style of learning which they respond to better than being in a classroom.

Between 14-25 students a year from Tapton have followed these courses and most have really enjoyed them and found them valuable. For 2008 we are proposing to offer the courses to 25 students. We can’t afford more because of the cost of funding and monitoring each place. We will be looking at each person who applies to try to ensure that those going are those who will really benefit from the opportunity. It’s important therefore that anyone interested should come with their parents to an evening specially arranged to explore the detail of the scheme in February 2009 in the school library. A number of providers will also be present.

We expect the following courses to be available: