Additional Support Tutor (AST), providing one-to-one specialist study support to SEND students and all referred college students. Whilst the primary focus of my role is to provide aid with study skills, this often includes supporting students with mental health issues and providing emotional support. In my role I ensure the needs of an individual student are explained to their tutors. As such, it is imperative that I liaise between students, parents, tutors and external agencies to ensure that appropriate support is provided. It is essential that I communicate efficiently with all involved and organize meetings as and when necessary.As an AST, I provide transition support to students both upon entry to Carmel and upon their exit. At the start of the college year I conduct interviews with students, in which I aim to identify learning needs through an initial assessment. During exam periods I am required to act as a reader, scribe, prompt or invigilator. I assist the college’s open day events, in order to answer questions from parents about study support.As an AST, I regularly produce bespoke study support resources for my department to share with students. Maintaining records is also an essential part of the role: I manage an appointment diary; track student progress; monitor attendance and regularly review students’ learning needs, demonstrating effective quality assurance. I have successfully streamlined the latter of these responsibilities for my entire department by converting all student reviews and questionnaires into online surveys. This has helped streamline what had previously been a time-consuming endeavor and helped to increase student response rates. It is necessary as an AST to keep up to date with educational policies and procedures. I am always vigilant regarding safeguarding and mindful of The Prevent Duty, ensuring that any concerns are passed on to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

I provided support, information, and guidance to all SEND students, both in-class and on a one-to-one basis. Furthermore, I volunteered to assist the college’s Foundation Learning department. I helped to facilitate the learning of life skills such as exercise and gardening, whilst also assisting the department’s charity fundraisers. To help expand the college’s enrichment program, I voluntarily organized and delivered A-Level Philosophy tutorials for Lower Sixth students.

I provided in-class support to various students with multiple SEND needs. I voluntarily ran the school’s Beat Dyslexia workshop sessions for all Year 7 and 8 boys. During this time, every student within my workshop was successfully able to improve their reading age by at least three years.