Mentor Guide: FAQs
FOR PUPILS AND PARENTS
The King’s School Canterbury Mentor Guide FAQs
We are thrilled to introduce the newly named Mentor system at King’s. This is not simply a change of name, but a title chosen with great care to reflect the profound significance of the role in each pupil’s journey. This launch marks a renewed commitment to ensuring every pupil feels seen, supported, and engaged in all aspects of their school life. The Mentor is a cornerstone of our outstanding pastoral care provision, designed to meet the evolving needs of teenagers navigating the complexities of the modern world. Whether it’s academic progress, personal development, or adapting to change, the Mentor will be there to guide, listen, and empower—making sure that every pupil can relate their experiences to their life at King’s with confidence and clarity.
What is the role of a Mentor at King’s?
• Serve as a guide, listener, supporter and advocate for pupils.
• Help pupils to navigate academic, personal, and social development.
• Foster relationships built on trust, respect, and encouragement.
What are the goals of mentoring?
• To build self-awareness and confidence.
• Support pupils in setting and achieving personal, academic, and social goals.
• Encourage resilience and meaningful engagement in school life.
How are Mentor groups formed?
• Allocated by the Housemaster/Housemistress (HSM) of the house.
• Groups consist of 12–15 mentees together as:
o Shells
o Removes & Fifths
o 6th Form
When are Mentor meetings?
• Tuesdays and most Thursdays from 08:35 to 08:55.
• Other Thursdays will be whole school assemblies.
• Once per half term there will be 20-minute one-to-one session.
• Once per term there will be drop-down sessions incorporated into the timetable to allow for one to one sessions.
• All Mentor meetings will take place within the Precincts and mentees will know where their allocated meeting place will be. Meetings will be covered by HSMs or SMT if Mentors are absent.
• Regular attendance is mandatory.
• The groups will work together to grow trust and respect for every member ensuring a safe, non-judgmental space to be present i.
• Mentors will encourage ownership of discussions and they will model teamwork and reflection.
• Goal setting will be at the centre of the work and the use of SMART goals will be encouraged: SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
• Mentees will explore their aspirations, will create goals, will track their own progress.
What happens in meetings? What tools support mentoring?
• Every Mentee will have their own Microsoft Loop Page which will be a Live document for self-reflection and collaboration and which will be shared with their Mentor.
• They might also use: Reflective Journals, Mentoring Contracts, Feedback Forms
• The Loop page can be shared with Heads of Section, Parents, and others should additional support or interventions be needed.
How do Mentors engage with parents?
• There will be a live parent event early in the year to meet the Mentor.
• Online meetings will be scheduled if parents can’t attend.
• Mentors will be available at all year group parent teacher meetings.
