Case Study 2

Industrial Mentoring In Schools

Broker

Windsor Slough Education Business Partnership Mentoring Scheme

Business partner(s)

Local businesses who have volunteered to be involved in the mentoring scheme

Programme objectives

  • To raise the achievement of those who are currently at a disadvantage in education/training
  • To promote equality of opportunity
  • To tackle disaffection and disengagement in young people
  • To provide positive role models
  • To encourage an interest in school, education and broaden young people’s outlook
  • To help improve self-esteem and confidence

Time frame

1 academic year, each year since 1997

Participant(s)

Secondary

  • Interested pupils in Windsor and Slough schools
  • Years 10 and 11 (14 – 16 year olds)

Methodology

Pupils interested after a year group meeting are invited to a training session and matched to a mentor who has common interests and hobbies or has strong links with a school.

Meetings at schools are arranged and overseen by the broker. Mentors and pupils then arrange their own meetings. Everyone involved is invited to events at an EBP lunches.

Lucy’s experiences, presented to an audience of teachers, mentors and pupils at an EBP lunch, are typical of pupils in the scheme and show that mentoring can be exciting and rewarding.

 

Good afternoon Ladies and Gentleman

When the subject of mentoring was introduced to me in a brief morning assembly, my first reaction was to find out more. I liked what I heard, which was the opportunity to meet regularly with a lady who didn’t know me or my background. It seemed a good idea having someone outside my normal circle of friends and school environment who I could trust and talk to.

I felt very privileged to be one of the first six to be selected from my school to have a mentor and I can honestly say I have never looked back since. My friends along with half the year group had volunteered to be part of this scheme and I grew increasingly excited and interested to meet my mentor.

The process in finding my mentor was an excellent idea, as I filled in a questionnaire about school, hobbies and why I wanted a mentor. This confirmed that the lady which I would be matched up with would not be the total opposite of what I expected.

I remember the first time I met Sharon, which took place in the Westgate School library along with my other friends. It was funny because of all the mentors involved I knew without looking at her name that Sharon would be my mentor.

As soon as we spoke we got along. She was young, enthusiastic and very determined to do well, just like myself and I knew she would be my ladder to help me up.
After the library we met regularly usually at Westgate after school, but on occasion at Cellnet, when we would have lunch and I would meet her friends. We got along better and better each time and I began to see Sharon as a trustworthy friend who I could confide in. Sometimes before my GCSE exams began, I lost patience and nearly gave up, due to the amount of coursework I had to do in a very short space of time, but Sharon taught me about organisation and never letting things get on top of you and in the end I beat it with a smile.

I have some very good memories. She has been a vote of confidence, a should to cry on and most of all a very good friend and I hope to keep in contact with her in the future.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Westgate, Cellnet, the EBP and Sharon for including me in this successful scheme, which I hope will continue so that other pupils have a chance to experience and become included in the many events that have made me a better person.
Thank you

Lucy

Outcome/expected benefits

Benefits to students:

  • Enhances their development
  • Increases their self confidence and self esteem
  • Acquire skills and achieve success
  • Improves personal relationships
  • Encourages commitment and participation

Benefits to mentors:

  • Develops communication skills
  • Increased understanding of the educational system
  • Enhances awareness of the issues young people face today
  • Provides a contact with possible future employees
  • Supports the local community

Government targets met through delivery

  • Raising standards of achievement
  • Improving pupil motivation and attendance
  • Preparing young people for the world of work
  • Delivery of Key Skills

 

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