The Mayor of London Boris Johnson today announced details of an innovative new scheme aimed at supporting vulnerable schoolchildren as they move from primary into secondary education. Stepping Stones is a schools-based programme starting in April, which will involve older children as well as adults mentoring younger pupils as they begin life at secondary school.
Funded by the Mayor, Stepping Stones will see Gladesmore Community School in Tottenham and youth-focused social action group Gangs Unite working with three secondary schools and their main feeder primary schools. Gladesmore is an outstanding school with considerable experience of partnership working with schools across London and Gangs Unite have a track record of working with disadvantaged and disaffected young people in both school-based and out of school settings.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'Some pupils find the transition from primary to secondary school difficult, which can lead to a dip in attainment and also result in them experiencing ongoing education or behavioural problems. This can result in poor outcomes later on, affecting not just their confidence and self-esteem, but how well they do at GCSEs and their ability to get a job or into higher education. Stepping Stones is going to make a huge, positive difference to young Londoners at a critical period in their lives and I hope it will act as a template for other programmes for other children across the capital.'
Stepping Stones is expected to benefit up to 200 London schoolchildren and will involve the training of Year 9/10 pupils, who will subsequently act as peer-mentors to younger children as they move from primary (Year 6) to secondary school (Year 7). A range of activities includes peer-to-peer and adult mentoring, summer activities, academic tutoring and skills and confidence building workshops.
Ray Lewis, Senior Advisor Mentoring, said: 'With this programme our aim to is set up structures that will support youngsters at what can be a very a tricky time. One of the key elements of the programme is the peer to peer mentoring, giving older children a degree of valuable responsibility, which will benefit them, but also creating role models for the younger ones.'
Commenting on the partnership between Gangs Unite and Gladesmore Community School, Headteacher Tony Hartney said: 'We are delighted to be working together to design and implement the Stepping Stones programme. We have found that adjusting to secondary school can be challenging for many pupils who don't have the skills to successfully cope with this crucial change. As a result, some young people encounter problems with learning and adopting an attitude that supports learning. Stepping Stones will utilise the immense power of peer mentoring, together with taught sessions designed to inspire pupils, with the aim of steering vulnerable pupils to have a positive engagement in their learning. We look forward to seeing a transformational impact on children’s life chances.'
The Stepping Stones programme begins in April and is due to finish at the end of the summer term in 2017. Outcomes and learnings from the programme will be used in the development of a toolkit, which will be made available to all primary and secondary schools in the capital, aimed at showing how to effectively support the transition from primary to secondary for vulnerable pupils.
Notes to editors
1. The Mayor supports a number of initiatives aimed at raising standards in teaching and attainment. This includes securing sites for 16 new schools, establishing the £24 million London Schools Excellence Fund, which has stimulated new partnerships and helped improve teachers' subject knowledge and expertise; setting up a schools unit to help groups wanting to set up free schools; the Gold Club scheme, which has celebrated over 240 exceptional schools in London with pupils from all backgrounds achieving academic success; and creating the London School Atlas, an interactive online map providing a uniquely detailed and comprehensive picture of London schools, current patterns of attendance and potential future demand for school places. Other programmes include the Mayor's Mentoring Programme which provided mentors for 1,000 black boys (10-16yrs old) at risk of exclusion and low school achievement, who were liable to fall out of education, employment or training and were potentially at risk of offending. For more information visit http://bit.ly/1pkhg4m.
2. Gladesmore is a high performing community school, which has been presented the Queens Award and judged three times as Outstanding by Ofsted. www.gladesmore.com
3. Gangs Unite CIC is a youth-focused social action group that aims to bring young people together along their common interests, and to help divert often violent energies toward self empowerment, social change, and unity. We are building and nurturing the next generation of leaders through our innovative programs that nurture and develop the youth voice and promote positive social dialogue across boundaries of age, race, class, gender, culture, and sexual orientation. Throughout each facet of the organisation, Gangs Unite encourages active literacy, honest self analysis, and critical thought. The mission of Gangs Unite is to realise the potential of inner-city youth to build healthier and safer communities and schools. Our programs are based on the belief that urban youth represent a valuable, untapped resource and can significantly contribute to the rejuvenation of communities and local institutions. http://gangsunitecic.org.uk/