Mereway Middle School

Role Description for the Mentors of Newly Qualified Teachers

Defining the role.

At Mereway Middle School a mentor is assigned to all NQTs to offer personal support and encouragement.

Our aim is to facilitate the process of:

        helping another learn and enhance their professional role.

Chris Watkins (1993)

The role of the mentor develops. In the Induction period it is to:

• assist in learning about school systems and routines;
• support in lesson preparation and planning
• support classroom management
• practical assistance to set up the classroom environment

During the first term the emphasis  moves towards a partnership that facilitates a process of analysis which allows conclusions to be drawn by the mentee that will enhance future performance.

This will involve:

• constructive feedback;
• the setting of realistic targets;
• complete confidentiality;

Expectations

The mentor is expected to:

• clarify what information is needed;
• provide it if possible;
• suggest sources and facilitate access to these;
• provide follow-up via interpretation, reflection, application and further investigation.

The mentor should carry out classroom observations, two in the first term and one in each of  the remaining terms. These should have an agreed focus and feedback should be given. ( Where possible cover will be provided ) If the mentee requests further observations these will be arranged.

The mentor should arrange for the mentee to observe colleagues within  school on three occasions during the year. A half day visit may also be arranged to another school. On these occasions a focus should be agreed and a de brief offered.

Contracts

The mentor and mentee should discuss if they feel the need to draw up a formal contract to have a shared understanding of the partnership.
If a contract is agreed copies should be kept in the Personal Professional Profile of both parties.


The mentor partnership is a mixture of formal and informal contact. Formal meetings should be kept to a minimum. The mentor should ensure that :

• informal contact is established on a weekly basis;
• formal meetings are held half termly ;
• Personal Professional Profiles are developed.

When a formal contract is not agreed and recorded the frequency and type of contact should be agreed by both parties.


Above all a mentor should:

• have time for their mentee;
• maintain confidentiality
• recognise that professional development is a two-way process and reflect on their own learning within the partnership.

                                                                                Rb.staff.dev 9/96 (nqtmentors)