|
HE Co-ordinated Mentoring for Schools in Birmingham & Solihull
|
The Aimhigher HE Co-ordinated Mentoring Programme is an integrated mentoring project which aims to develop a coordinated undergraduate mentoring service to schools.
Student mentors work with students identified by schools and colleges to support their individual learning and development needs. They act as positive role models who will work with pupils to:
|
|
Increase confidence, motivation, persistence and self-esteem
Raise awareness of higher education and future study opportunities
Improve organisational and study skills
Help with drawing up and implementing learning and action plans
Recognise that access to higher education is possible.
Mentors have recently been through the school system themselves and have an understanding of the problems and barriers pupils may face when considering progression to Further and Higher Education. They can offer advice and support and can give pupils a real insight into university life and experiences.
‘Our Student Mentor has been so successful in establishing and maintaining positive relationships with the Mentees because of the empathy and compassion that he displays. There has been promising improvement in their attendance, behaviour and attitude which would not have occurred without positive input and encouragement’ Learning Mentor Smiths Wood School.
The Aimhigher HE Student Mentoring scheme is now in its fourth year of operation after successfully working with 32 schools in Birmingham and Solihull, with 130 students mentoring approximately 500 pupils each year. We are currently in the process of interviewing suitable under-graduates to participate in student mentoring for the next academic year. Students follow a recruitment process, which involves attending a briefing session, completing an application form, attending an interview, satisfactory CRB clearance and attending a two day training programme through which they are under constant observational assessment. The training covers key mentoring skills such as listening and communicating effectively, confidentiality and child protection issues, planning for mentoring sessions, working effectively with schools and strategies for successful mentoring.
We are currently recruiting 150 student mentors city wide and across all partnership HEI's: Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham, Newman University College, the Univerisity of Birmingham and Aston University. The student mentor will provide face-to-face support and encouragement for four pupils, between the ages of 14-18 for a period of 16-20 weeks. One of the main aims of the mentoring scheme are to support pupils who have ability (GCSE, C/D borderline) but for some reason are not reaching their potenital and will therefore benefit from extra support. It is the role of the mentor to help unlock that potential.
To find out more about the mentoring scheme or if your school is interested then email us for further information: aimhigher@contacts.bham.ac.uk
|