Mentoring Works welcomes the new and says farewell to the old
October and November have been busy months for the Mentoring Works programme as the new Year 10 programme was launched and the Sixth Form programme came to a close.
For the Year 10 programme 2016-17, there are over 500 participants, including 200 mentors, matched to 325 students. Participating schools and companies include Cardinal Pole School with CMS London, Haggerston School with Freshfields, Mossbourne Community Academy with Schroders, Highbury Grove School with Macquarie Group, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School with Euromonitor, Highbury Fields School with Kennedys, Holloway School and Mount Carmel Secondary School with MUFG, City of London Academy Islington and Arts & Media School Islington with Expedia, St Aloysius College with Hammerson and finally Clapton Girls’ Academy and Northumberland Park School matched with Linklaters.
It’s always great to see the students’ reactions to visiting the City and their mentor’s offices for the first time, but we also had great feedback from mentors. One mentor commented on how “keen, articulate and engaging” the students seemed and how much she was looking forward to working with them.
The Mentoring Works Sixth Form programme 2016 ended in a great celebration event at Linklaters this month, for all students across our Hackney and Islington Schools and their mentors from City companies. The well attended event included students, mentors, school and company Coordinators and funders.
Participating schools and companies this year have included: Our Lady’s Convent School with Aviva, Clapton Girls’ Academy with Linklaters, Haggerston School with Freshfields, Mossbourne Community Academy with Schroders, City and Islington Sixth Form College with Macquarie Group, City and Islington Sixth Form College with Charles Russell Speechlys, City and Islington Sixth Form College, Centre for Business, Arts and Technology with Expedia and City of London Academy Islington with Deutsche Bank.
Our Sixth Form groups told us how much they’ve got out of their sessions this year and everything their mentor has been able to support them with. A number of students and mentors spoke at the event and the highlights included mentors telling us:
“They worked hard to get a job, get onto the university courses they had planned to and improved their self-confidence”, “She reminded me how much goes on at this age and how busy things can be. I’ve been inspired by her and it’s been a pleasure to have had her as my mentee!” and “It’s been a really great learning experience from me and has given me a lot of insight for the future”.
And students also reported great benefits, telling us:
“The most helpful thing about this programme has been being able to talk about any topic. I discussed topics that I never learnt about before in my education.”
“I honestly think everyone should take the opportunity to be part this programme – don’t miss out on this experience!”
“Thank you to my mentor for being my voice of reason”
To learn more about Mentoring Works or get involved contact the team on mentoring@elba-1.org.uk.
