Guidance Support Tutor

Pastoral support is viewed as a crucial element of the student experience and the current Guidance Support Tutor (GST) system has been in place for over ten years. The Service comprises of a GST Manager and a group of GSTs who each have a caseload of students who they deliver both group and individual tutorials to, known as Prep. The group tutorials involve the delivery of a Tutorial programme to which all Guidance Support Tutors contribute.

The Guidance Support Tutors are located together in an easily accessible centre and are the first point of contact for students and parents when there are any concerns about attendance, progress or welfare. 

The Guidance Support Tutors liaise with Progress and Engagement Tutors, Teaching Staff, the Learning Support Team, the Careers Team and Student Services concerning attendance, progress on courses, progression after college and the general well-being of students. They are also involved in the admissions and enrolment processes. 

GSTs work with teaching staff, internal and external support services and parent/carers to address targets and support requirements so that students get the most out of their college experience. Each GST support the students through absence and progress monitoring. In addition to this, GSTs are responsible for devising Individual Learning Plans, implementing intervention methods along with dealing with pastoral issues and supporting guided study.

The successful candidate will need to have excellent analytical skills and attention to detail as the role has a particular focus on analysing data (including attendance data and Key Assessment Point results). Through effective liaison with staff and parents, the GST team monitor and improve levels of attendance and retention. The GSTs agree and record intervention and improvement strategies and report on progress, identifying effective methods to improve student performance. GSTs are responsible for implementing the student support and disciplinary referral systems, agreeing SMART targets and packages of support to ensure the engagement of students in their study programmes. This involves having one-to-one meetings with students to discuss their academic progress and achievement towards their personal goals as well as offering support with study skills. In addition to this, formal reviews are conducted at least termly with every student.

GSTs are responsible for delivering and contributing to the Tutorial Programme. The Group tutorials are designed to help achieve academic success and also address personal, social and health issues in an exciting and informative way. The Tutorial Programme covers study skills, careers and Higher Education Information, Advice and Guidance, as well as general personal and social education, including topics such as road safety, cyber-bullying, finance and equality and diversity. A large part of the tutorial programme is devoted to Careers and Higher Education information, advice and guidance. Each GST will help students with job, apprenticeship or university applications and will write a supporting reference.

Safeguarding 

The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. To meet our safeguarding obligations: 

• Applicants are required to submit a completed Declaration Form with their application 
• Referees are asked if they are aware of any child protection allegations or issues 
• All appointments are subject to verification of qualifications, medical clearance, satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory written references.  

Applicants who have worked abroad or lived abroad may also be required to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct for the Country they have resided in.

The contract will be for 37 hours per week on a permanent basis commencing September 2025, following recruitment and safeguarding checks.

This post is term-time (39 weeks p.a.) plus an additional commitment of two weeks (58 hours p.a.). This extra commitment is to cover additional hours outside normal working times to fulfil duties, such as:

• Completion of UCAS references by the deadline date
• Attendance at Parents’ evenings and Open Evenings
•  Attendance outside of term-time on results days, enrolment and for training (to a maximum of 5 days).

Salary for term-time staff is paid in equal monthly instalments over the year and includes a payment of 5.4 weeks pro-rata entitlement to annual leave and public holidays. Holidays must normally be taken outside of term-time; College term dates can be found on our website.

The information above is provided as an overview, for information only. Full details of actual terms and conditions will be supplied with the letter of appointment.

“Our mission is to inspire and educate our students in a supportive, inclusive environment that enables them to fulfil their potential, enjoy successful careers and lead happy lives.”