In Southend, through the AimHigher project, we are fortunate to have three excellent Learning Mentors in Belfairs, Shoeburyness and Cecil Jones. What kind of things does a Learning Mentor do to help students progress in to Higher Education? I went along to talk to some enthusiastic Sixth Form students at Shoeburyness School to find out.

Michelle La Roche is the Learning Mentor at Shoeburyness and she is known to her students as 'Mrs.Fixit'. Not only does she support them with their career decisions and university application process, she organises a variety of events to broaden their horizons, character build and even relaxation and breathing classes when the going gets tough. This kind of additional support has seen applications to Higher Education at Shoeburyness rise from 46% in 2003 to 86% in 2005.

Q So give me examples of the types of support you receive

In addition to our subject tutors we can go to Michelle to ask for advice on anything regarding our application to Higher Education, it may be course information, career advice, student finance, university life, completion of UCAS forms (online) or advice when writing our personal statements and CV's.

Q What ways do you receive this help?

Michelle organises previous Sixth Form students to come and talk to us about their experiences and what to expect. Practical tips on how to budget, accommodation, how to balance your social life and the demands of your course. Sometimes we have outside speakers from Universities to give talks on finance or the courses they offer. We are encouraged to take part in AimHigher activities like Summer School and Internships. Visits to Higher Education institutions help us get a feel for the place and decide if its right.