SIXTH FORM: Student mentors help make a difference

JOSIE DODDS reports on the sixth form mentors who help support younger students while gaining valuable skills and experience which can be a catalyst for personal growth

RGS nurtures students who share a love of learning and a passion for education, and students who acknowledge not everyone has the same talent for each area of school.

Some people are better at humanities, some students love the logic of maths and design technology but struggle to express their ideas in English, and sometimes just having a topic explained in a slightly different way can make all the difference.

To give the boost that pupils need to get them going in subjects, the sixth form at Ripon Grammar School, described by Mr Fell as the ‘beating heart of the school community’, works with younger students to support them in their learning.

There are almost 90 lower sixth form students who volunteer within school, ranging from sports coaching to one-on-one mentoring with students from Years 1 to 5. Volunteers have the opportunity to help with every subject and activity.

For the sixth former, this time counts towards internal volunteering and contributes to a well-rounded CV, but it also has other benefits. Mentoring can be a catalyst for personal and professional growth for both the mentee and mentor.

Inga Nowicka volunteers with lower school chemistry lessons and finds the classes helpful in keeping GCSE knowledge fresh as a solid foundation for her A-level work, for developing professional relationships with teachers further and to prove her capabilities in a work environment.

Similarly, the younger years find it helpful to develop their communication skills with older students and teachers and to find confidence by talking to someone who they know has been in the same position only a few years ago.

Sixth form students may be able to explain topics in a slightly different way or from a different perspective than the teacher to help the students understand and reach their full potential in the subject.

Students are mentored in English, maths, and science subjects, but can also be helped with reading skills, in sporting activities, in addition to being given support pastorally and with special educational needs.

For example, if a student who joins in Year 9 feels they need help integrating into school, a sixth former who also joined in third year will be put into contact with them and spend time with them in form times to help them settle in, answer questions and help in any way they can.

Sometimes this might be helping with homework, or advice with regards to their peers, or just playing a game with them to get them talking.

For special educational needs roles, mentors and mentees have a one-to-one meeting with RGS inclusion manager Mrs O’Brien to discuss the challenges the student is facing and how to overcome them.

For pastoral well-being roles, mentors are undergoing a six-week training period with Mrs Harry, the school counsellor. All the lower sixth form students involved receive safeguarding training to help them keep themselves and younger students safe, in terms of things to look out for and how to safely report any concerns.