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.

Imagine such a “thing” that manages to engage those hard to reach pupils where many other interventions have failed. Where the imaginations of those difficult pupils are captured and they are “switched on” so that they may benefit from the talent, hard work and patience of your teaching staff. Can you imagine what school would be like if your targeted pupils actually became your most independent learners and all of that time wasted through dealing with frustrating and energy sapping behavioural incidents became a thing of the past?

There is more. Imagine a staffroom where colleagues actually breed positivity. Where staff are willing to take on extra roles and responsibilities without referring to their job description or pay and conditions. A vibrant environment with enthusiastic personnel who can really relate to your pupils and develop open, trusting and effective relationships with them. Dedicated and hardworking individuals who are extremely low maintenance, versatile and acutely focused on their outcomes which have been predetermined by you, but regularly monitored and performance managed by a team of industry experts.

Does such a “thing” exist? How does it work? What will it cost me?…Is it legal?

The answer to these and many more questions is Project HE:RO and their unique team of Health Mentors. The secret to Health Mentor success within schools up and down the country is that this role has evolved from listening and responding to the needs of educational leaders like yourself. It was not a role that was conceived in a plush office far removed from inner city classrooms in some of the highest areas of deprivation in the UK. It did not use any public funding or political connections to establish itself. No marketing or focus groups were involved. It is not a role that already exists within schools, nor is it a position that is easy to understand at first glance.

Project HE:RO will challenge you and encourage you to consider unconventional thinking to achieve real results for your school and your pupils. The good news is that other school leaders have already made this leap of faith.  And they are the very same people who will “sell” you Project HE:RO. Just let us know where you are and we will provide you with relevant names and numbers.

Obliquity is the principle that complex goals are best achieved indirectly.  We were not searching for this obliquitous solution but serendipity played its part.  Maybe you were not looking for such a solution when you started reading this post.  But now that you have made it to the end, why not spend another couple of minutes sending us that email?

p.s. It ticks all of the boxes for pupil premium and Ofsted like it too!

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.

Great value for money!…”

Julie Naguib, Deputy Headteacher, Sladefield Infant School, Birmingham

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.

Due to the success of this first initiative we decided to use Evolve to provide part of our PPA cover. A Health Mentor, supported by one of our HLTAs, now teaches all our games lessons. The children love it! The levels of fitness have improved and the Health Mentor acts as a great role model. We have combined lesson plans provided by Evolve with our own games planning and this has worked well. Flexibility and meeting the needs of the school are a clear priority for Evolve and this has worked for us. Highly recommended!

Health Mentors are employed by Evolve: A Social Impact Company so payroll costs are reduced and financial flexibility is retained due to the short one month termination period that is required. Furthermore, the appointment of one Health Mentor can fulfil a number of separate roles within a school that would normally require various part time staffing solutions such as teaching assistants, learning mentors, lunchtime supervisors, PPA providers and after school play workers…”

Peter Hargrave
Broughton Junior School, North Lincolnshire

A Real Life Billy Elliot

Josh was a typical eleven year old schoolboy and, apparently, not outstanding in any particular way.  One day his mum said she was taking his cousins to try out a dance class at a local school and asked him if he wanted to tag along.  Josh was doing nothing much in particular and thought it was something new to try and off he went.  However, once he walked into the studios Josh immediately felt that he had found a special place where he belonged and started his love affair with dance.

Inspirational Teacher, Expert Advice

There is a further twist in the tale, however.  Josh told his new dance teacher, Deana Morgan, that he wanted to be a professional dancer but was put off when she informed him that he would need to study ballet.  Josh resisted at first but Deana pointed out he was unlikely to have the necessary technical foundation to make it professionally without some grounding in ballet.

A Life Transformed

So against his own initial judgement, Josh attended his first ballet lesson – and his attitude was totally transformed the moment the class started. The rest, as they say, is history.

This true story about Josh shows how important it is for all children to try as many activities as possible so that they may uncover their interests and talents.

”…From the first moment I walked in to the studio, something clicked and I fell in love with the whole idea of being a professional ballet dancer.  I knew instantly that I wanted to make this my career.  It took a lot of hard work, time and effort but it paid off in the end.  I am now dancing with my dream company, Northern Ballet. It shows that if you have a dream you have to follow it – as they can come true”

Project HE:RO is a fantastic scheme and I really encourage schools and organisations to get involved…”

Josh Barwick, Northern Ballet

Tom Cleverley is happy to support Evolve, particularly as he actually worked in Graham Morgan’s office on work placement whilst still at school. It was clear then that Tom was a very talented boy at sports.  However, Graham discovered that Tom’s greatest talent was fixing any IT problems that cropped up.

Tom has a great career ahead of him and his character and application are such that he will make the very most of any opportunities

“…I fell in love with football at an early age and I have been lucky enough to have had the support of many people who have helped me to develop my talent.

Project HE:RO, through its Health Mentors, is helping headteachers to provide pupils with opportunities to discover their interests and turn them into talents so that they can enjoy happier and healthier lives.

I wish Project HE:RO the very best of success and hope many schools will take up the opportunity to get involved and create better futures for their pupils…”

Tom Cleverley

Singer Kimberley Walsh has made a very successful career out of her passion for performing arts and is also a talented actress and dancer. Her career requires her to be in top condition to perform and look good at the same time. Kim has also needed to train up for some of her charity work as seen when she trekked up Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief.

“…Project HE:RO is doing great things to help young children get healthy and make the most of their potential.  I think this is a brilliant scheme and encourage all schools to get involved…”

Kimberley Walsh

“The Health Mentors are a key element in the school’s provision, not only in providing a high quality of basic care for pupils whose circumstances make them vulnerable, but also in promoting basic literacy and numeracy skills through individual support and providing positive role models in promoting a healthy lifestyle. As a result, the pupils feel safe and know that there is always someone who will listen.”

OFSTED Report, St George’s CE Primary School, March 2011

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.