Whole Based Mentoring
Raising Aspirations & Harnessing Potential
“Every supported child in our school looks forward to their weekly session with SFC. Why? I would say it’s because children are treated as individuals, valued for who they are and challenged to step outside their comfort zone in a safe, supported way. They are encouraged to succeed in ways they never believed they could and taught how to fail and learn from their failures without beating themselves up. It’s an exercise in gently teaching children how to love themselves and love life.”
Mr Damian Knollys. Headteacher Peasedown St John Primary School
about Whole based mentoring
Mentoring is delivered through educational settings for students identified as needing additional support in the Bath and North East Somerset area. The programme has been running since 2014, initially in primary schools but has proved so successful that demand has grown significantly and the programme delivery has expanded into secondary schools.
The purpose of the mentoring programme is to support and encourage both primary and secondary school pupils to self-manage their behaviour and emotions, enabling them to develop their skills, improve their performance at school and maximise their potential.
We use a flexible and caring approach focused on sport and physical activity, providing opportunities to engage the whole family.
Objectives of the mentoring programme:
Increase confidence & self- esteem
Nurture student’s self-worth
Address the difficulties experienced by each student.
Participate in new activities in a safe and friendly environment
Improve behaviour and mental well being
Introduce more safety and stability into student’s life
Support each student to find the motivation and life skills to move forward positively
SFC feel that a sports-based approach is fully inclusive, develop team skills, learn to share and think of others but more importantly provides an opportunity to have fun.
“SFC has continued to provide invaluable support for some of our most vulnerable young people this year. Children's circumstances can change suddenly and SFC have been available to provide much valued input and nurture which it would not be practical for us to offer as a school with all the other demands on our staff and time. Children who have suffered bereavement, family trauma, ill health, mental health or self-esteem issues have all benefited from the 1:1 nurture and the knowledge that working with Megan is a 'safe space.' It is reassuring also to know that this support can continue if needed into secondary school for smooth transition and continuity of support.”
Karen Bazeley. Deputy Headteacher, Longvernal Primary School
Please see below some comments from the children on what they enjoyed:
“Phil does really fun activities”
“Phil’s a good man, he’s an expert at playing basketball in the snow.”
“I like Phil ‘cos he’s interested in kid’s films so we talk about them”
“I wish I could do this with my dad.” (Child who does not have a dad)
“When I feel sad, it makes me happy.”
Julia McDonald. Child Protection and Family Support Coordinator, Roundhill Primary School, Bath
“Weekly intervention, led by SFC’s Megan, has enabled some of our most vulnerable learners to have access to support which they would not otherwise have been able to. It is clear to me that for a child has to be in the right frame of mind, be able to feel safe in their environment and have an opportunity to share their challenges, only then will they be fully able to access the curriculum and blossom as a result. SFC has played an important role for this to happen and, on behalf of all at Oldfield Park Junior School, we are exceptionally grateful for this support.“
Dave Goucher. Headteacher, Oldfield Park Junior School
“Every supported child in our school looks forward to their weekly session with SFC. Why? I would say it’s because children are treated as individuals, valued for who they are and challenged to step outside their comfort zone in a safe, supported way. They are encouraged to succeed in ways they never believed they could and taught how to fail and learn from their failures without beating themselves up. It’s an exercise in gently teaching children how to love themselves and love life.”
Mr Damian Knollys. Headteacher Peasedown St John Primary School
