Assertive Mentoring 1

What is Assertive Mentoring? “Assertive Mentoring brings together many outstanding school systems together in one place. It is a focused, child centred, collaborative approach based on a dialogue about the child’s present and future learning needs.” M Atkins

Child Centred The Child T I C Targets Tracking Intervention Checking

Benefits Accurate assessment Informed planning Focused teaching Relevant intervention Accelerated learning Targets met Success

Benefits for children Know where they are Relevant intervention Focused teaching Know where they are Relevant intervention Personalised learning Motivation Targets met Success

Assessment Regular assessment of each child’s progress is carried out – normally half-termly. These assessments are used to plan the next steps in learning.

Colour coding Assertive Mentoring is based on a ‘traffic light’ system. Hand out smiley fans to parents (at the end of the ‘colours’ section, ask parents to decide how well they have listened to the presentation and hold up their fan as a demonstration of how the fans work). Show how fans can be used to indicate understanding by asking parents to show fans to show if they have any questions)

The children have traffic light fans:

Green Means that the child has exceeded expectations. Academic attainment Learning behaviour Behaviour Hand out smiley fans to parents (at the end of the ‘colours’ section, ask parents to decide how well they have listened to the presentation and hold up their fan as a demonstration of how the fans work). Show how fans can be used to indicate understanding by asking parents to show fans to show if they have any questions) 9

Yellow Assertive Mentoring uses ‘traffic light’ colours to manage attitude and behaviour This approach is clear, concise, consistent and targeted It focuses on good attitudes and behaviours as well as those that need developing It can be adapted for use in any situation that arises within school Means that the child has met expectations. On target Working solidly No negative behaviour 10

Red Assertive Mentoring uses ‘traffic light’ colours to manage attitude and behaviour This approach is clear, concise, consistent and targeted It focuses on good attitudes and behaviours as well as those that need developing It can be adapted for use in any situation that arises within school Means that the child needs further support with: Meeting their targets Attitude & behaviour Hand out smiley fans to parents (at the end of the ‘colours’ section, ask parents to decide how well they have listened to the presentation and hold up their fan as a demonstration of how the fans work). Show how fans can be used to indicate understanding by asking parents to show fans to show if they have any questions) 11

Advantages Quick and easy to use and understand. All staff in school use the same approach. Children judge their own learning and behaviour: they are startlingly accurate. Children are empowered to take ownership and control of the way they behave and their attitude to learning. Children who have a good attitude to learning and school life are praised.

Mentoring Meetings

Mentoring meetings Every pupil has been allocated a mentor – most often their class teacher, but Mrs Atkins, Mr Armer, Mrs Barr, Mrs Huxley and Mrs Baker as well as many Teaching Assistants are also mentors. Every term, each pupil will have a short meeting with their mentor to celebrate achievements, discuss their progress and set new targets.

Mentoring meetings There are 2 main topics for discussion at the meeting: - attainment - attitude and behaviour A standard form is completed during the meeting to record the discussion and any new targets agreed.

Parents Evenings – Spring Term 2014 Monday 31st March 3.30 – 5.30pm Slips will be sent home in the usual way and if you need a later appointment please speak with your class teacher to arrange. As this will be an assertive mentoring session for the children, we would like you child to be present as usual

Children with Special Educational Needs or Disability Mrs Barr our Special Educational Needs Coordinator will be available for bookable appointments AND drop in – she is sending out a letter about this prior to the Parent/Teacher/Child meetings in March