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Learning Mentor

View this career for different education levels:

Primary Secondary Post-16

A learning mentor works in schools or colleges to help students overcome barriers to learning, whether these are social, emotional, or academic. Their primary role is to provide one-to-one support and guidance to pupils who may be struggling with schoolwork, attendance, or personal issues. Learning mentors collaborate closely with teachers, parents, and external agencies to develop strategies that enable students to succeed. They may work with children of all ages, but are especially common in primary and secondary schools. The job requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, patience, and a genuine desire to help young people achieve their potential.

Learning Mentor

📊 Statistics

Average Salary

The average salary for a learning mentor in the UK typically ranges from £18,000 to £25,000 per year, depending on experience and location.

Job Openings

There are over 3,000 learning mentor positions advertised annually across the UK, with demand particularly high in urban and deprived areas.

Working Hours

Most learning mentors work term-time only, usually around 37 hours per week, which fits within the standard school day.

🚀 Careers in this path

Primary School Learning Mentor

Supports individual pupils in primary schools, helping them overcome social, emotional, or behavioural challenges to improve their learning.

Secondary School Behaviour Support Worker

Works with secondary school students who need help managing behaviour or attendance, providing targeted interventions and guidance.

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teaching Assistant

Assists pupils with special educational needs, offering one-to-one or small group support to help them access the curriculum and develop confidence.

Complete Secondary Education

Achieve GCSEs or Equivalent

Obtain at least five GCSEs at grades 4 to 9, including English and Maths.

GCSEs are essential for most support roles in education. Strong grades in English and Maths are particularly important, as these subjects are often required by employers. If you have not achieved these grades, you can take equivalent qualifications such as Functional Skills.

Consider Post-16 Qualifications

Study for A-levels, BTECs, or other Level 3 qualifications related to child development or education.

Although not always mandatory, studying subjects like Psychology, Health and Social Care, or Education can provide useful knowledge. These qualifications can strengthen your application and prepare you for further training or work.

Gain Relevant Experience

Volunteer in Education Settings

Get experience by helping in schools, youth groups, or after-school clubs.

Many schools welcome volunteers to assist with classroom activities, reading sessions, or mentoring programmes. This helps you develop communication and interpersonal skills, and shows future employers your commitment to supporting young people.

Work as a Teaching Assistant

Apply for entry-level roles such as Teaching Assistant to gain hands-on experience.

Teaching Assistant positions allow you to work closely with students and teachers, gaining valuable experience in supporting learning. You can also undertake a Level 2 or Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification while working.

Develop Professional Skills and Qualifications

Complete Learning Mentor Training

Take a recognised qualification, such as a Level 3 Certificate in Learning Mentoring.

Specific learning mentor qualifications are available through colleges and training providers. These courses cover mentoring techniques, supporting children with additional needs, and safeguarding responsibilities.

Build Communication and Support Skills

Develop strong listening, motivational, and organisational skills.

Effective learning mentors are excellent communicators who can motivate others, build trust, and work with people from diverse backgrounds. Training and real-world experience will help you develop these essential skills.

Apply for Learning Mentor Roles

Search and Apply for Jobs

Look for learning mentor vacancies in schools, colleges, and local authorities.

Check job boards, school websites, and local council sites for vacancies. Tailor your CV to highlight relevant qualifications and experience, and prepare for interviews by reflecting on how you have supported young people in the past.

Continue Professional Development

Attend training, workshops, and courses to stay up to date.

Once in post, you can further specialise, for example by supporting students with special educational needs or taking on additional responsibilities. Ongoing learning helps you progress in your career and make a bigger impact.

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

A Learning Mentor and a SEN teaching assistant both work closely with students to support their educational and personal development, often focusing on those with additional needs. Both roles involve guiding, mentoring, and implementing strategies to promote positive learning experiences in educational settings.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need to find a trainee position. 

Examples include:

  • supporting teaching and learning in schools
  • childcare and education - early years educator
  • T Level in Education and Early Years

You may be able to get a placement working with children with special educational needs while doing your course.

Many people get qualifications or experience working with children in mainstream schools, then move on to work with children with special educational needs.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Teaching Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Early Years Educator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Specialist Teaching Assistant Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More Information

Volunteering

You could get experience by volunteering in a local school or with a community organisation.

Volunteering is an excellent way to get experience of working with children and young people. It can also help when applying for jobs or training courses.

Direct Application

You can apply for special needs teaching assistant jobs if you have experience of working with disabled children or children who have learning difficulties.

You can search for schools in your area then look for job vacancies on their websites.

Each school sets its own entry requirements, though you'll usually need GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths.

Contracts are often term-time only and if you're employed through an agency, your pay may be based on a daily rate.

More Information

Career tips

The ability to communicate with children and young people using British Sign Language or Makaton can be helpful, though your employer may offer you training in this.

It's also helpful to understand what kind of support disabled students and those with particular conditions might need, such as assistive learning and communication technology.

Special needs teaching assistant are employed term-time only. A working week can vary from a few hours up to full time.

Advertised pay rates are often listed as full-time equivalent (FTE). Actual pay will depend on the number of hours worked.

You can also search for jobs using the Teaching Vacancies service.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the National Association for Special Educational Needs (NASEN) for advice about working in special educational needs and for professional development opportunities.

Further information

You can get more details about a career in special educational needs through:

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