Personal Tutors: What They Do and How They Support You
Alongside our wider support teams, you will be matched with a Personal Tutor to help you navigate your academic and personal journey.
What is a Personal Tutor?
A Personal Tutor is a named member of the CFS staff who acts as your dedicated point of contact for general guidance throughout the academic year. You will normally be assigned your Personal Tutor during your first week of study following Induction Week.
Your relationship with your tutor is confidential. They will always ask for your permission before discussing your situation with anyone else, unless there is an urgent risk of harm to you or others.
The Support They Provide
Your Personal Tutor is there to support you both inside and outside the classroom. You can turn to them for:
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Academic Guidance: Helping you review and reflect on your progress, understand school policies and regulations, and develop strong learning skills.
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Pastoral & Personal Support: Offering a listening ear for non-academic issues. If you face challenges beyond their expertise, they will safely signpost or refer you to specialist internal or external support services.
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Future Planning: Providing advice on postgraduate study, career opportunities, and offering academic references when you need them.
How to Use the Service
To get the absolute best out of the Personal Tutor system, here is how you can actively engage with it:
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Look out for first contact: Your tutor will reach out to you within the first month of the academic year. They are available to meet with you twice a term, either through officially timetabled sessions or meetings set directly by them.
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Keep in touch: Respond promptly to your tutor's messages and use them as your first point of contact whenever you need a helping hand.
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Speak up early: If you are experiencing health, personal, or academic difficulties that impact your work, let your tutor know right away so they can help you get back on track.
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Make it work for you: While we highly recommend engaging with your tutor, it is entirely your choice. Attendance at these sessions is completely optional, does not count toward your official attendance calculation, and you will never face a penalty if you choose not to participate.
For more information, please refer to the Personal Tutor Policy here.
