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.
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.
The implementation of Project HE:RO™ (Health Engagement : Real Outcomes) and the subsequent deployment of Health Mentor(s) within your primary school will have immediate benefits for the children and staff in your charge. Health Mentors are multi-skilled and deliver you the following benefits when tackling complex staffing and budgetary challenges:
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.
