Staff testimonial: Wellbeing Tutor, Silverstone

Has there been a moment where you just stopped and thought - this is why I'm here?

Most days, I would literally say every day.  I have lots of positive interactions with all the pupils, potentially seeing all the work of PACE being put into practice, and then using it with other students. It is always a nice feeling to be at work. 

What is your superpower? 

Being the first port of call to everyone is very powerful, and I always feel wanted or needed in my job role. It’s great, that’s why I like it. 

What’s your favourite thing about working at On Track?

There are loads! Working with small groups or 1:1 and seeing how positive and happy pupils come out of those sessions every day. It’s the best working team; we all support each other, and I can speak to anyone or go to anyone with any issues. 

We also have lots of benefits; the company is great. We have supervision sessions, and On Track are always willing to develop you as an employee and a person. We also have the HAPI app, and being able to have a personal leave day is great, too.

What’s your typical working day like?

Currently, it’s 1:1 THRIVE, PB (protective behaviour) sessions, wellbeing sessions, working a lot within our RESTORE curriculum, which is topic and wellbeing, and I still support some lessons where needed.  

Willingness to adapt is essential and making sure your lessons are child-centred. You must understand that’s why you’re in this role, and that plans change. It’s okay if everything doesn’t go to plan, we will never be criticised for that, it happens. 

How did you get this role?

I started with a university placement in my final year. I had to do 120 hours of classroom support work, and then I was offered a job. On Track was flexible with me still being at university, so I initially did the role part-time. 

After I graduated, I was offered a full-time position as an LSA. Then I became familiar with THRIVE lessons and wellbeing sessions and spoke with my line manager a few times. I was then offered a Wellbeing Tutor role. I was given a lot of independence before this to see if it was for me; it was nice that I had time to explore the role initially before making a final decision. 

So, what’s next for you?

I’d like to stay on the wellbeing team and have more training, more THRIVE training, more refresher for PBs, and just keep working my way up on the wellbeing team. 

What else would you want someone to know about working at On Track?

It’s very fulfilling, mentally, you get a lot from it. You’re valued by everyone here, and we have staff appreciation, which is really nice. I’m always happy to come into work every single day. It’s also a good place for graduates to work.

I think it’s important for people working in wellbeing to know that you can sometimes be working on site, sometimes off-site, it can be 1:1, small groups, or days out to places. It’s not like teaching where you’re mostly in one place; the work is really varied.