An introductory talk about the Edgecliff High School Mentoring Program for Year 11 Students Tuesday 24 th November 2009 A. G. Walker

Why? To help students maximise their potential. Students who are at the moment, predicted by the school as being set to achieve 5 grades or more below that of their KS4 targets. Or students who are below in Maths and English Who?

What is Mentoring? “Primarily a short term intervention aimed at performance improvement or developing a particular competence” Clutterbuck 2003

The job of the Mentor Active listening Being a critical buddy Giving feedback Setting goals

Characteristics of Mentoring  Consists of 1–1 developmental discussions  Provides people with feedback on both their strengths and weaknesses  Is directed to particular areas or specific issues  Is a short term, focused activity  Is non- judgmental  Is non-directive

Aims The mentoring system would turn the students from: ”I can’t” to “I can”, from “I won’t” to “I will”, from “I don’t know where I’m going or how to get there “ to “I want to achieve and I have a plan”, from “I can’t get along” to “I know how to get along”.

The Keys to Success Getting along Confidence Persistence Organisation Emotional Resilience Not getting down, worried, Angry.

Proposed activities 1 : 1 interview with mentor PSHE lessons spent with mentor After school sessions developing subject specific skills Extra study / revision skills Coursework improvement sessions Regular contact with home Gifted and talented (advice from the authority) Extra connections / careers guidance