What do you consider the role of a Progress Tutor to be?
Supporting students both academically and personally, guiding them through their challenges and providing the opportunity to build on their skills to reach their next steps. Working alongside tutors and parents to help students reach their full potential, through setting targets and celebrating successes. Guiding students through the process of searching and applying for their chosen pathway beyond college. Allowing students a safe space to work through their wellbeing challenges and liaising with the appropriate agencies in order to best support them.
What do you love about your job?
I love building strong relationships with students and their parents/carers, in turn allowing me to see when students achieve, however big or small, whether that is in an academic or personal matter. I also enjoy playing a part in a student’s journey and seeing everyone’s successes materialise.
How do you think the progress tutors make a difference to the students at Priestley?
As progress tutors are the main port of call for each individual student, we aim to ensure every student feels valued and respected regardless of their academic ability and their past experiences allowing them to grow on a personal level.
Why did you want to get into education?
Before I went into education, my background included coaching football. It was here that I realised the difference I could make to individuals. It helped me to understand young people’s behaviours and offered an insight into how best to support them. I see young people grow and achieve and see what the smallest accomplishment can do.