Educational mentoring
Links to research reports:
National Foundation for Educational Research, May 2007
An evaluation of the impact of IntoUniversity, an educational programme aimed at children and young people most at risk of failing to meet their potential to go to university owing to economic, social, cultural or linguistic disadvantage. The report concludes that the programme has a positive, transformational impact in terms of their academic success, attitudes to learning and social skills. University student mentors are paired with young people in years 6 to 13 as one of three strands used in the programme.
Comparison of how young people from different ethnic groups experience leaving school
Joseph Rowntree Foundation, July 2006
Considers similarities and differences in transition to adulthood for young people from minority ethnic groups with those of young white people.
An Investigation into Cyberbullying
University of London, DfES, July 2006
Explores the extent of cyberbullying among school pupils in London.
Being Part and Parcel of the School
Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY), June 2006
A research report on bullying examines the views and experiences of children and young people in regard to the development and review of bullying policies in schools.
Setting up student mentoring schemes in Higher Education
Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)
If you're looking for guidance or inspiration on how to run a student mentoring and/or buddy scheme for first year students in your college or university, check out this report as compiled by the Education Liaison Office at Manchester Metropolitan University and part funded by the European Social Fund.
’A Guide to Setting Up Student Mentoring Schemes in Higher Education’ covers how to support students in the transitional period from further to higher education, how to market and promote the mentoring/buddy scheme, recruit mentors and buddies, obtain references, set up a training programme, guidelines for email mentor relationships and also gives examples of application, record and evaluation forms.
The report guides the reader through the planning and organisational stages of setting up a mentor/buddy programme, although as Sue Goodwin at MMU acknowledges, "student communities and Higher Education Institutions are very diverse in their size, culture and in the nature of their provision - this guide offers a model and broad framework for the introduction and delivery of mentoring schemes, though we recognise that such schemes vary considerably and depend very much on the time, resources and creativity available."
In addition, there is a further report called 'Keeping Them In: Progression, Transition and Retention in Higher Education' which provides a comprehensive review of the mentoring schemes. This is an analysis of a survey which asked groups of students to reflect on their first year at university.
For further details of both publications contact Sue Goodwin, Education Liaison Office, MMU, Tel: 0161 247 2866 or email s.goodwin@mmu.ac.uk
Business in the Community Pupil Mentoring Scheme: A Research and Evaluation Study (Phase 1)
This study from Queen's Centre for Educational Research in Northern Ireland aims to review existing research evidence as to what works in pupil mentoring schemes and from this, the most effective approaches to use. This first phase is taking place between October 2005 and March 2006.
Evaluation of Behaviour and Education Support Teams (BESTs)
Department of Education and Skills, 2006
Examples of the impact of mentoring schemes is included in this evaluation.
Excellence in Cities Primary Pilot
NFER, Nov 2005
Summary of key findings of Excellence in Cities (EIC) policy including the positive impact of Learning Mentors - including their benefit on the attainment of Black pupils and in reducing barriers to learning.
Making a Positive Contribution: Enabling children with challenging behaviour to make a positive contribution
Saul Becker, Conference Report, 29 Nov 2005, Birmingham
A presentation by Saul Becker on his research with children with challenging behaviour in Nottingham. The full report provides evidence on the effectiveness of learning mentors in secondary schools.
Trainees as Mentors: a case study of the reciprocal benefits of a collaborative partnership project
Dr Marion Jones, Paper presented at the BERA Annual Conference, September 2005
This research explores the practice of using trainee teachers to mentor pupils in school. It provides evidence supporting the claim that such a mentoring arrangement can have a positive influence on pupils and at the same time, enhance the professional development of trainee teachers.
Daring to dream: Raising the achievement of 14 to 16 year old asylum-seeking and refugee children and young people
Refugee Council, Oct 2005 (58 pages)
The theme is the success and achievement of these children and young people in education and to expand the evidence base that informs education practice on support for them. Anonymous case studies (including examples of mentoring) demonstrating innovative good practice are included.
Every school should have one - a ChildLine report on how peer support schemes make schools better (May 2005).
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