Are there any Student Support Officers/Learning Mentors here..?

[Tillyscoutsmum]

I'll be returning to work after being a SAHM for the last 7 years. I don't want to return to my former profession for numerous reasons and I would really like to be a Learning Mentor/Student Support Office in a secondary school.

Just wondered if anyone was one and could offer me any advice/insights?

[LJBanana]

I work in study support at a 6th form. Working with students with learning difficulties. Can I help?

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Thank you

I just wondered how best to get into it really. I've done some research and am considering doing an online teaching assistant course. Just not sure whether the supporting teaching and learning one or the support working in schools one might be more relevant. Or something else entirely!

[LJBanana]

I would say either are good options, but perhaps look at the spec for the kind of job you would want to apply for and see what the qualifications are that they're asking for.
I have a degree and a PGCE so I am qualified to teach, which I do as well as support work. But they weren't essential criteria just desirable ones. Might be best to ring your local adult college and get advice on the courses they have on offer and the progression.
I hope that helps a little.

[jobwoes]

Don't do an online course! They are worthless. Any worthwhile teaching assistant course will require completion of a placement in a school.

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Thanks for the advice. I had read that some of the online courses weren't recognised I volunteer at dd's school, but don't really want to work full time until ds starts school next year. I was hoping to do something online that might help before then.

There is a "Mentoring in Education" course which I thought might be worthwhile (in conjunction with doing an nvq 3 "on the job" next September - all being well obviously!)

[jobwoes]

You could always look at doing one or two education modules with the OU.

[jobwoes]

Between now and next September, that is. Guessing you have Level 2 qualifications in English/Literacy and Maths/Numeracy - if not you will find those very useful (not all schools ask for them but you'll struggle to do the job without them).

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Thank you. At the risk of sounding daft, what constitutes level 2 qualifications?

[jobwoes]

O levels, GCSEs and Level 2 Functional Skills (English/Literacy, Maths/Numeracy and ICT) qualifications.

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Ah. I see. Thanks. Will have a look at OU.