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.
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.
Project HE:RO is delighted to announce the support of another inspirational role model from the world of entertainment. Josh Barwick is a young professional ballet dancer with the Northern Ballet Company. His story provides an excellent example of how your passion can come out from nowhere, grab you and never let go.
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…”
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…”
Project HE:RO™ (Health Engagement : Real Outcomes) and the Evolve Health Mentor programme have been developed with the help of a number of forward-thinking head teachers. These partners have been the pioneers of the programme and it is truly rewarding to see one enterprising head teacher receive the following feedback after a recent OFSTED inspection of her school:
“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
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.
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:
Help us to improve the future for thousands of children
Evolve Director John Bishop (left) with Health Mentors Paul Eaton and Richard Rose
Project HE:RO™ (Health Engagement: Real Outcomes) is currently operating in the following areas in England and Wales:
1. Lincolnshire
2. West Midlands
3. South Yorkshire
4. West Yorkshire
5. South Wales
6. West Wales
The Project HERO team are already making plans for the next academic year and our personnel requirements for existing clients alongside the record number of new schools who have signed up to use our services.
Do you know a future Health Mentor?
Do you know somebody with the potential to change children’s lives for the better by becoming an Evolve Health Mentor and who is actively looking for related work in one of these areas? Then why not encourage them to get in contact with Mary at recruitment@evolvesport.com and let her know more about their situation and employment requirements.
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?
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.
