CEBLO FactFile
MENTORING IN SCHOOLS

“I thought it was going to be more lectures about what I was doing wrong but it is all about helping me” – Year 11 pupil

We currently have around 150 mentors from the business community working within the 20 participating schools in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. It is our priority to continue to expand this programme, supported by LSC funding, and we have set a target to find and train another 150 mentors over the next year.

Mentors agree to spend around one hour per month with a youngster at a school of their choice. They will ideally begin working with a youngster in year 10 (age 14/15) and continue to work with them until they complete their GCSE’s in year 11 (age 16).

Mentors are asked to support their mentees with any issues that are affecting their progress and achievement during these two critical years. Issues discussed generally include careers - being able to discuss ideas on the type of jobs they would be suited to, and finding out what qualifications and skills would be needed to pursue them; school work - including help with certain assignments or subjects and revision techniques; personal concerns - issues with family, friends, or peers that may be affecting them; self-image - including self-esteem, assertiveness and body language.

CEBLO provides a free training day, which includes an overview of the education system and the issues faced by schools, a session on mentoring skills and how to approach your first meeting with a youngster and an overview of the child protection guidelines. In addition we offer a range of extended training at favourable rates exclusively for our active mentors.

Schools greatly value their mentors, and they undertake to provide a named link teacher who will be your central point of contact; an administrator responsible for booking meetings and checking attendance; and a quiet room for meetings.

THE BENEFITS

TO YOUNG PEOPLE

• A successful mentoring relationship with an adult from outside the school system can make a huge difference to raising a student’s aspirations and confidence.
• Mentoring develops skills in communication and coaching which are of use in the workplace.
• Young people can acquire skills useful to peer mentoring or ‘Buddy’ schemes.
• Development of the mentor/mentee relationship allows the young person to express their needs.
• Mentoring can raise the students’ awareness of their community, local industry and career opportunities.
• Mentoring provides a Critical Friend to support self-confidence and self-esteem.
  
  

TO BUSINESS

• Mentoring provides businesses with the opportunity to make a positive contribution to local schools with a manageable commitment of time (one hour per month).
• Mentoring can contribute in interesting ways to a Company’s staff development objectives, many companies use CEBLO trained mentors to support apprentices and new staff members.
• Mentoring can support a Company’s recruitment objectives.
  
  

TO SCHOOLS

• Mentoring offers Schools the opportunity for positive support of young people experiencing difficulties with their education. The youngster must volunteer for the programme to support their commitment but schools and tutors can provide valuable guidance to those most likely to benefit.
• Mentoring provides schools with a positive link to the Business community and may develop further opportunities. It fosters good relationships between Schools and the workplace.
  
  

Further Information: