What do you consider the role of a Progress Tutor to be?
A progress tutor is there to provide support through their study programme to enable them to achieve their full academic potential. To help them with their successes, we monitor their progress, attendance and engagement in college/classes and ensuring they stay on track. The pastoral role is very important as we ensure the wellbeing of our students and are there as someone they can talk to and guide them through worrying times. We can also refer them to outside agencies if needed, to support them and check in on them to let them know we are there to help them. We need to be integral to their success and support them with their employment/further and higher education.
What do you love about your job?
My main role at college is as a Business Studies teacher, however, I am enjoying building a good rapport with my PDP students, just the same as I do in my teaching role. I want my students to be able to come to see me regarding any issues they may have, and providing them with the advice, guidance and support to enable them to feel safe at college, thus enabling them to be successful in their chosen courses. I am here to ensure they are also ready for progression after college and equipped with the tools and knowledge linked to employment, careers and higher education.
Why did you want to get into education?
I was a single parent and decided to add to my qualifications to enable me to give my daughter fantastic opportunities in life. (Which I did) I was inspired by my teachers at Halton College who supported me and pushed me to be successful. and decided that I wanted to do that for young people and decided I wanted to teach Business Studies at secondary school/college. The pastoral side of the job is evident across all areas of teaching, however, I am enjoying having a group of young people where my focus is supporting them across all aspects college life and enabling them to have fantastic opportunities in their lives moving forward.