ARTICLE
Image by Felicia Buitenwerf on Unsplash.com
Help all Hampshire’s sixth form pupils achieve their best The OUP Mentoring Programme is developing across the County
A
n unsung aspect of the levelling-up agenda is the opportunity to assist underperforming pupils at school do better. At the primary school level, several charities already combine in the National Tutoring Scheme, to help more disadvantaged children get the results they merit at Key Stage 2. But what about their needs later on? In October 2023 the Office for National Statistics – ONS published more detailed data on school performance. It takes in count the diversity of pupils’ own backgrounds and experiences, and then it identifies how much individual schools actually add to the academic performance of pupils after they join. It also splits out the results of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, to see how often and how far they often underperform against their own academic peer group. The government website is a revelation: www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk Every school in Hampshire has a number of pupils who are able, but somehow lack the confidence, awareness and know-how to put themselves forward for the universities they deserve. Often it turns out they lack the social background, the role models and the friendship groups they need to help decide and motivate their next steps forward. The scale of this deficiency is significant: Hampshire could be producing 200 more (say) solicitors a year if only the disadvantaged pupils performed to potential. Every school also has a Directive from the Department of Education to focus on the needs of disadvantaged pupils, and the requirement for a Careers Officer to ensure that every pupil plans their own best next steps. Ofsted checks on these things.
all, there’s the feeling these pupils don’t need brow-beating, they need attention. Enter the OUP Mentoring Programme a loose-knit network of volunteers that offers schemes of 1to1 Mentoring to selected sixthform pupils in schools across Hampshire. Each Mentor is allocated one or two pupils to meet for a 45 minute session once or twice a month. They give supportive commentary and discussion that is confidential, sympathetic and continuous over an eight month period, typically over the second year at sixth form. This is the time of transition, as horizons for the future open up, and several large and personal questions need to be addressed. The outcome is transformational. Pupils appreciate the chance to learn how to work through the issues they face. Mentors report huge personal satisfaction from the experience. And schools note steadily improving aspirations and outcomes over time, of these vulnerable students. Action: New volunteer Mentors are sought to fuel our growing network of operations. Typical Mentors are good listeners, with experience of passing exams, of professional progress, and of helping young people to succeed. Solicitors are particularly well-placed. And they need to give quality time, once or twice a month, to develop an effective partnership with the young people they serve. If interested, do contact Crispin Drummond, Chair OUS (Hampshire & IoW) on crispin.drummond@tiscali.co.uk
Unfortunately, the story ends there. There’s a lack of resources and know-how to convert this priority into effective action. Above HAMPSHIRELEGAL | 19
