Assertive Mentoring

Woodbridge Junior School

Today’s aims

• to explain what Assertive Mentoring is

• to see how it will work in our school

• to see how it will benefit you and your child

Aims of Assertive Mentoring

• To raise standards for all

• To motivate and involve children

• To inform and involve parents

Why bother changing?We have very inconsistent results historically as picked

up by the DFEOfsted noted a good capacity for improvement so now

we have to make those improvements.The school is satisfactory rather than good because

pupils are not always well enough informed how to improve their work

When teaching is at its best, pupils are fully engaged and teachers use accurate assessment information to guide their planning of learning.

What do we need to do?Ensure pupils are always actively engaged in their

learning and have clear, personalised targets and consistent feedback that help them to improve their own work.

By July 2013, improve the quality of teaching so that it always ensures pupils make good or better progress, by: -using assessment information to match learning accurately to pupils’ needs and developing pupils’ independence in their own learning.

Learners learn best when they:

Understand what they are trying to learn

Are given feedback about their work

Are shown how

to make it betterAre fully involved

in the process

Assessment for Learning

‘... is the single most powerful tool we have for both raising standards and empowering lifelong learners.’ (Assessment Reform Group)

What is Assertive Mentoring?

“Assertive Mentoring is a focussed, child centred, collaborative approach

based on a dialogue about the child’s present and future learning needs.”

(G. Downey SIP 2008)

It incorporates and facilitates:

Assessment:

Where are the children?Tracking:

How are they progressing?Target Setting:

What do they need next?Support:

What help is needed?

Attitude and BehaviourChildren made it very clear they wanted some changes.They felt good behaviour was not rewarded enough and

the ‘white slip’ system did not have enough effect.They feel there is bullying at school in some areas and

poor behaviour sometimes disturbed their learning.

Key changes. Rewards:Attitudes are monitored termly through mentoring

meetings.High expectations of children taking responsibility for

their own behaviour and attitudes.Positive attitudes and behaviour strongly rewarded

through a daily smiley collection system, individual stickers leading to prizes and class smileys leading to additional fun Friday time. Fun Friday has to be earned by the class rather than an expectation.

Gold star status

Sanctions:Verbal and visible warningsTime out in class - reflectionTime out in another class – reflectionWorking in isolation for a period of timeBeing placed on reportLunchtime isolation (exclusion for regular offences)ExclusionParents will be informed by letter about any time out in

another class and we would expect to be supported.

Inclusion:We are an inclusive school and we are expected to

provide what each child needs to achieve and thrive.Inclusion does not mean that all children receive the

same, it means that all children receive what they need.Some children, for a variety of reasons, need additional

and different provision. We work with outside agencies and parents to ensure that we meet those needs to the best of our abilities whilst balancing that against the needs of the class.

Track attitude progress

Attitude Last year

T1 T1 T2 T2 T3 T3

Attendance 98% 96% 92%

Punctuality

Behaviour

Effort

Homework

Uniform

Laddishness:

Support and challenge

Negotiate deals

Involve parents early

Set targets and check

Consistency

Means maximumeffect and efficiency

Where next?

Assertive Mentoring:

We have started with maths and attitudes

Next is reading and writing

Benefits for children

• Focussed teaching• Know here they are• Relevant intervention• Personalised learning• Motivation• Targets met• Success

Parent’s role:

Know your child’s targets

Support them in achieving them

Support the school

Attend any meetings and check Star files