EBLO (Education Business Link Organisation) Mentoring Scheme with Aimhigher Northamptonshire
The mentoring scheme aims to provide a range of mentors from the education sectors to work with school pupils, usually years 10 and 11, to raise their self esteem, communication skills, sense of achievement and time management. Mentor training for the scheme takes place twice a year in October and January, with all mentors being CRB checked.
The mentors work on a one to one basis and meetings are usually every two weeks for 45 minutes. Meetings take place during the school day and all discussions are strictly confidential (except for any abuse issues). The mentors from the University are mainly concentrated in Kingsthorpe Community College and Unity College Northampton for logistical reasons.
The University mentors have been very successful and the reviews were very encouraging. The Year 10 students stated that they wished to continue into year 11 (next academic year) and a few of Year 11 students who hope to stay on into the Sixth Form stated they wished to keep in touch with their mentors. The University mentors appear to be able to build up a rapport with their mentees very quickly. All the students stated it was very beneficial to have an adult to talk to who was not a teacher or parent and who had some experience of life.
Mentee feedback comments
"Yes, this has been a good and positive experience and I feel that I have gained from it"
"The scheme has helped me with my confidence and has helped me making some career decisions"
Mentor feedback comments
"This is a way of being able to give something back to the community"
"The Aimhigher team based at the University were very helpful and extremely well organised. They answered any questions and resolved problems quickly and were most approachable"
Teacher feedback comments
"The support given by EBLO and Aimhigher has been very good"
"Mentees are able gain from the experience but we appreciate that the mentors are busy people who are giving up their time to do this work"
If you are interesting in being part of this scheme then please contact the Central Office on Tel 01604 893310
