The Learning Mentors programme ensures that every Birmingham secondary school pupil has access to a network of professionally trained learning mentors.  This new resource focuses directly on removing barriers to individual pupils' learning both in and out of school.

• To target help on those who most need it in deprived areas, especially those experiencing multiple disadvantage.
  
  
• To raise standards and reduce truancy and exclusion in the target areas, and to help LEAs and schools make accelerated progress in achieving their attainment, truancy, exclusions and other relevant targets.
  
  
• To provide a complementary service to existing teachers and pastoral staff in school, and others providing services to such children and their families outside school, such as social and youth services, the Education Welfare Service, the Probation and Careers Services, and business, community and voluntary workers.