Exemplar Academic Tutoring Interview Targets

Specific – they say exactly what you need to do

Measurable – you can prove that you’ve reached them
Achievable – you can reach them in the next few weeks
Realistic – they are about action the student can take
Time-related – they have deadlines

Resources in:

X/ Academic Tutoring Day SMART target setting

/2009-2010 / Year 7 or Year 8, etc – e-sheets for AT target-setting

/Success criteria for grid reports – used to determine Excellent, Good, Satisfactory,
Cause for concern and Poor

/Examples of subject specific targets for KS3 and KS4 – example targets to move to
the next grade / level for English, Maths, Science, Humanities, IT, Business, Music and Art

For the interview tutors have a range of information regarding TGs / TLs, current working
grades / current working levels, numeric grades for level of engagement / participation,
whether students meet deadlines/ meet success criteria and judgements on the quality of
independent work.

During the interview, tutors should aim to extract from the student what particular aspect of
their performance could be improved and by when. This should then help to reach an
agreed SMART target which will involve the subject teacher(s). This will then enable the
student to have a clear idea about what they need to do and when the tutor can intervene
with the subject teacher and have an ongoing dialogue with the student about whether
they are meeting their targets.

Examples of SMART targets

• To use the success criteria set by Ms Fullman for the next assessed piece
of [course]work
• To work with Mr Wells during the after school sessions to improve your
case study…in the next 2 weeks
• To have redrafted your personal statement, using the advice and feedback
given by the PD team/Connexions/your tutor by…[specific date]

Targets that don’t move students forward, cannot form a regular dialogue with the tutor
and cannot be accurately measured
• Work on coursework
• Keep up the same standards
• Be more focused
• Use time productively
• Try harder
• Improve attendance