Methodology of the programme Mentoring is an intervention through which one adds social capital (knowledge, skills) as well as cultural capital (contact with others). Mentoring is especially valuable for the pupils of schools in South Rotterdam. Residents in this area experience a relatively large socio-economic disadvantage. Mentors of Rotterdam gives pupils a solid foundation and helps them on their way to increasing their chances of a meaningful future. Result and effect Pupils
• Extra support by students of universities of applied sciences in order to improve the school results of the pupils • Help in building confidence and increasing personal effectiveness • Extra support in career orientation
Students
• Having the advantage of being closer to pupils – being only slightly older - students form a link between the pupil and school, leisure time and family • Students become assertive professionals, work in a dynamic urban environment and learn to coach in a professional way • They become role models for the pupils
Schools
• Receive guidance and support • Form the link that makes a professional social safety net more easily accessible for pupils
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Municipal Councillor for Education, Youth and Healthcare
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“Currently one of the most impressive programmes in Rotterdam!”
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Mentors of Rotterdam
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Mentors of Rotterdam is an alliance of Foundation “De Verre Bergen”, the partner schools in South Rotterdam, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and the Centre of Expertise Social Innovation (EMI).
Factsheet
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Mentors of Rotterdam is one of the largest mentoring programmes in the Netherlands. Over the years we have learnt to overcome problems, resulting in a growing number of participating schools, enthusiastic pupils and increased interest from participating students. The plan for the years to come is increase the scope and effectiveness of the programme even more.
“It is the most useful elective I have followed so far, and the one I have learnt from most. Just imagine: I have supported someone to improve school results, and in the process helped them socially as well.” Mentor
Contact details Mentors of Rotterdam mentorenopzuid@hr.nl + 31 (0) 10 794 4530 www.mentorenopzuid.nl P.O. Box 25035 3001 HA Rotterdam The Netherlands
South Rotterdam
Mentors of Rotterdam
South Rotterdam
Mentors of Rotterdam
Acquisition of schools in South Rotterdam
Increasing the chances of children in Rotterdam with the help of student mentors.
Student mentors and pupils work one on one, with the idea that each pupil benefits from personal coaching by a student mentor. Matching classes is done based on the pupils’ needs, and the students’ expertise. The programme was created with the ambition to add value for the pupil as well as for the student mentor. Each pupil builds a relationship with their mentor, and together they work on study skills, social skills, career orientation and school matters. The student mentor develops his coaching skills in the metropolitan context of South Rotterdam. Increasing the chances of pupils through one-on-one coaching. That is the mission of Mentors of Rotterdam. A programme that is ahead of its time and ties in with relevant developments in education. It connects students with society, and shows the commitment of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences to society. And it is in line with the core task of (higher) education: creating equal opportunities for all.
Selection of mentees Unique characteristics Mentors of Rotterdam • Mentoring during school hours, for the duration of at least one semester. • 3 levels of matching: class-onclass; cross-age; pupils’ needs and students’ expertise. • Positive intervention for each pupil in the class • Mentoring incorporated in the curriculum of the RUAS • A RUAS lecturer is present at the meetings of mentors and pupils • A RUAS lecturer teams up with a teacher of a school in South Rotterdam • “Giving-back” principle, and social commitment
“It is our vision that every pupil can use a student mentor as support for improving their school results, in making choices for their future or simply to get personal attention.” Carolien Dieleman, Director of Centre of Expertise Social Innovation (EMI), Rotterdam University of Applied Science
By giving students future-focused education, and offering opportunities to children and youths, the mentoring programme is an answer to the conclusion of the Dutch Educational Inspection Authority, which recently stated that chances of school success of children of highly educated parents are much higher than those of children of parents with little education. This hampers equal chances in Dutch education. 1 Ilias El Hadioui conducted research on whether school-going youths in Rotterdam between the ages of 15 and 27 have equal chances. He did so by concentrating on the differences between various cultures: street culture, home culture, school culture and the family. He found that the existing cultural codes and the expectations that people have with regard to what is “acceptable behaviour” differ so much that youths can get confused and start to show “deviant” behaviour. “A role model can help pupils to find a balance between the various cultures, thus avoiding dropping out of school”, says El Hadioui
Source 1: Allocation of budget Ministry of Education, Culture and Science for the year 2016
Methodology development
In four years’ time, Mentors of Rotterdam has become one of the largest mentor programmes in the Netherlands. This has been achieved by creating a unique connection between two educational systems. In order to increase the chances of pupils, students of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences become mentors that coach pupils to a better future. How? By matching a class of University students with a class of pupils: each pupil gets their own mentor.
Participating schools are partners and are members of the board of the programme
The school determines which classes are eligible for mentoring. The leading principle of the programme is: everybody deserves a mentor. Thus, each pupil in the class gets a mentor, giving them a chance to grow.
Rough matching based on disciplines (schedules, pupil’s needs and education)
The better the match, the more effective the programme is. For example, a pupil who has problems with mathematics or arithmetic, benefits most from a mentor who studies to become a Math teacher. A pupil who runs the risk of having to repeat the year could best be helped by a student who has been in a similar situation. That is why the matching is done by means of a form that the candidates have to fill in; with speed dates and the app.
To be successful, building trust between mentor and mentee is crucial. In the first two to three weeks, when mentor and mentee are getting to know each other, they together formulate a goal. Usually this is about improving school results. But they can also decide to work on behaviour, motivation or study or career orientation. As a result of this targeted approach, the type of coaching that is decided on may differ greatly per duo or per school.
The methodology of Mentors of Rotterdam is based on scientific research into the effectiveness of mentoring. An external, independent research institute examines the process and result of the programme. And internally, the programme frequently evaluates its own effectiveness and efficiency.
Preparatory training for mentors
Acquisition of students of RUoAS
The student mentors are coached and supported by a lecturer of RUoAS. They work for Mentors of Rotterdam for twenty hours spread over twenty weeks. In return they get study points (ECTS system). After completion of the programme, they receive a certificate as proof of participation. In order to be allowed to participate, they have to present a certificate of conduct.
Growth scenario
selectie en screening van mentoren
students as mentors
Rough matching is the process of making the optimal combination between the classes of student mentors and pupils. Not only the schedules and numbers are of importance here, but also, and especially, the dominant coaching needs of the school, and the education, competencies and skills of the student mentors.
The students (especially those from the sectors Education, Behaviour and Society, Health Care, and Economics) follow a training which prepares them for their role as mentor and for working in the context of South Rotterdam. They also learn what not to do as a mentor: they are not caregivers. That is the task of professionals.
2014 – 2015
400
2015 – 2016
500
2016 – 2017
900
2017 – 2018
1200
2018 – 2019
2000
“Of course, mentoring is a precious gift for pupils who, for whatever reason, need the attention, the eyes and ears of a senior student in order to make progress themselves. Mr Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam
Substantive matching (on an individual basis)
Methods used by Mentors of Rotterdam
Training, coaching/ support and monitoring
Execution
Implementation
Intervision ‘Practice-Based’
Research
‘Evidence-Based’
Evaluation (reporting, evaluation)
External research into the execution of the programme
Methodology development
Source: NJI