Foundation Direct (CETL)

Mentoring Within Foundation Degrees

Because of the nature of Foundation degrees, mentoring features strongly throughout the study period and beyond. Most Foundation degree students can choose their mentor, who is often, but not always, based in the student's workplace. However, some Foundation degrees require a more formal processes of mentor selection, training and matching to students as mentors must often assume a formal supervision role.

The mentor's role is extremely important and should benefit the student, the mentor and the workplace. But what is that role? How do you do it? Mentoring in all its forms, is a worthwhile and respected role. The mentor has the opportunity to make a real difference to someone else and therefore it is not a role to be assigned, or taken on, lightly.

Reflecting the importance of this role, Foundation Direct created a website for mentors called Mentor Direct; that site's role is now part of the activity of the Department for Curriculum and Quality Enhancement (DCQE). Visit Mentoring@Portsmouth for advice, best practice, descriptions of taught units, news and resources to enable the mentor to reach their full potential and thus help their mentee.