With the hundreds of programmes, courses, initiatives and products marketed to headteachers in the current educational environment, how can they differentiate what works from what does not work? And why should they bother to read blog posts like this one that are clearly designed to sell such a “solution.”
Well every once in a while something comes along that makes a real difference. More often than not, the best of these innovations are non-strategic and happen purely by chance, through serendipity.
Are you getting an effective return from your Pupil Premium Grant?
Most Headteachers agree that the following activities, alone or in combination, are key to extract the maximum benefit and impact from the Pupil Premium Grant in raising the attainment of children on free school meals:
Small group tuition
After school booster clubs
Attendance improvement programmes
Welfare and engagement interventions
Significantly, all these aspects fall within the remit of Project HE:RO and can be delivered efficiently and effectively by an Evolve Health Mentor.
Read the Ofsted Report on how schools are using the Pupil Premium funding to raise achievement for disadvantaged pupils here.
Case Study
“…Our Health Mentor from Evolve has been with our school for almost a year and his presence in school is living up to all our expectations.
As well as being an excellent role model he just doesn’t stop from the moment he comes to school in the morning until the end of the day at 4.30, after he has ensured that children have been collected from the After School Multi Skills club. Team teaching with staff in PE lessons, Wake and Shake Up sessions for children, staff and parents, support for SEN pupils with gross motor activities and work with children who have low self esteem, he packs it all in.
If you would like to find out more about how Project HE:RO can compliment your School Development Plan then please get in touch to arrange a no obligation consultation.
Robin Haselgrove, headteacher of Chad Vale Primary School in Birmingham, gives further insight into why so many schools are signing up to join Project HE:RO and use their inspirational team of Health Mentors. Chad Vale School was recently rated as outstanding by Ofsted.
This short video gives an insight into the impact that an Evolve Health Mentor could have at your school.
Former Bradford City player, Des Hamilton, works full time delivering Project HE:RO at Lister Primary School in Bradford. Within the video, the head teacher, deputy head and business manager all comment upon the impact that Des has had at the school within a short space of time.
Mrs Jan Edwards, Headteacher and OFSTED Inspector, explains why she uses Health Mentors from Evolve to support learning and development at St George’s CE Primary School in Birmingham.
Inactivity is pervasive in UK society and linked to lack of self worth
Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief UK medical officer, states that inactivity is more of a problem to Public Health than smoking, drinking and alcohol abuse combined. The causes of inactivity can be traced back to children lacking in self esteem, personal confidence and feeling isolated with a lack of self worth. Disadvantaged children from the poorer parts of society are the most vulnerable to having low aspiration levels – and are also those under threat from disengagement, underachievement and having poor health.
The recent BBC programme “Poor Kids” illustrates very starkly the vicious circle that can set in very early in the lives of young children. Project HE:RO™ (Health Engagment : Real Outcomes) has evolved as it has grown to overcome many of the issues that lead to damaged life expectations for young children.
Current trends predict that by 2050 over 90% of the UK population will be overweight or obese (Foresight Report 2007). The life patterns of inactivity and obesity are formed by the age of ten. That puts primary schools and their head teachers right at the coalface in the fight to avert this health and social issue time bomb. Interested to hear more and find out what steps can be taken to avert this?
Project HE:RO™ (Health Engagement : Real Outcomes) is an innovative, upstream and preventative approach to inspire young children to adopt a positive outlook about themselves and to prevent the twin threats of inactivity and obesity from damaging their lives.
We can improve the attendance, behaviour and attainment of your pupils by developing healthier lifestyles and encouraging personal growth through active learning and achievement mentoring.
Project HE:RO is an innovative and award winning programme that adds a new dimension to primary school staffing. Health Mentors provide focused mentoring support to disengaged and vulnerable children, whilst inspiring all pupils to adopt and lead physically and emotionally healthy lifestyles.
