Study Skills Sessions
Positively You ran Exam Revision and Study Skills workshops in partnership with Aspire Higher Schools. They worked with 800 students from Year 10 and 11 from the following schools: Adeyfield Academy, Astley Cooper Schools, Marriotts School and Longdean School. Positively You offer young people sessions to empower learners and inspire learning, providing the tools and techniques students need to excel in exams. Students in the schools worked in groups.
The Aim
To encourage students to develop their metacognition skills. To help students to develop into independent learners. To provide revision techniques and stress management tools.
The Outcome
Students feel more confident about being able to manage their time during exams. Students have gained more useful revision techniques. Student feel more prepared to sit their exams.
Quotes from staff across the schools:
“The session was fantastic and the level of engagement from the students was very impressive. The strategies that were used through the session proved to work with our students.”
“From the testimonials we received, they found the mind mapping exercise valuable in helping them to learn how to retain information.”
“The session was targeted towards a small group who needed the support and the presenter was fantastic at interacting with the students.”
Student Coaching
Aspire Higher collaborated with Innerscope to deliver coaching in two Central Bedfordshire schools. Manshead and Queensbury Academy each chose 16 students from Year 10 to take part in 5 motivational coaching sessions. Innerscope offer coaching sessions aimed at preparing young people for challenges they face in the classroom, helping them learn the importance of applied emotional intelligence to help fuel motivation and drive. The project comprised of coaching sessions on revision, applied emotional intelligence, problem solving, careers support and self- leadership. Students worked in pairs tailored to their needs.
The Aim
To help build students motivation for learning and improve confidence in their learning in order to help improve their attainment in GCSES. We wanted students to recognise the link between attainment in their current studies and future pathways. Students were selected by their teachers as they are currently working below target in Maths and English GCSEs. The coaching sessions helped students understand the academic and personal skills needed at GCSE.
The Outcome
Students felt more confident and motivated towards their studies. They demonstrated better understanding of the impact their efforts in school will make on their future ambitions.
Quote from a teacher at Manshead Academy said:
“As a whole the student's attitude to Innerscope has been excellent, they have enjoyed the conversations, the small group environment and being able to discuss things that weren't just their subject progress.”
A parent took the initiative to contact the school to say:
“I just want to pass on my thanks for giving my daughter the opportunity to attend the Innerscope sessions. She enjoyed the experience and has learned some valuable tips that will hopefully stay with her throughout the remainder of her time at school and beyond. She liked listening to the Innerscope team members and is quite disappointed I think that the sessions have ended!”
Student quotes on what they gained:
“Shown me why I want to succeed and do good in life and why revision and preparation helps.”
“It had a massive impact on my views on revision and focus in class.”
“The programme has helped me revise which led to me getting high test scores.”
“It made me come to terms with what I struggle with in school and impacted me in a positive way.”
Word Warriors
Word Warriors is a mentoring reading programme where older students are trained to mentor younger students to encourage them with their reading. Designed for Year 7 and 8 students with a reading age below 10, this flexible programme fits into any school's timetable and complements initiatives such as, Accelerated Reader. Younger readers enhance their reading skills and academic success, while older students gain confidence, leadership skills, and improved attendance.
The Aim
Word Warriors allowed up to 25 students to receive one-on-one reading support with the ultimate goal of accelerating their reading age. This built supportive, cross-year relationships within schools, creating a strong sense of community and collaboration between students.
The Outcome
Empowered older students by providing opportunities to develop confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of responsibility through mentoring. Encouraged consistent school attendance and active participation by engaging both younger and older students in a meaningful, rewarding programme.
Quote:
“I did this because I like reading and I like helping people who need support.” - Student A
“I learned how to pronounce other words, new words that I didn’t know that I even struggled on." - Student B
“I used to struggle a lot with reading and now because I’ve practised and I’ve got better with it and I’m enjoying books more." - Student C
