Samuel Rhodes SEN Programme

“I ABSOLUTELY loved working with a YOUNG PERSON and seeing them FLOURISH”

The Samuel Rhodes programme is a bespoke programme created by The BIG Alliance and Inspire!. Using our collective expertise in running school mentoring programmes and working with students with additional needs, we created a set of resources and training materials to support mentors and students throughout the programme.

Transition mentoring is a specialist progression programme for young people with special educational needs (SEN), helping them stay engaged with education, make informed choices about their futures and progress into work or further learning.

Eleven students are matched with a mentor from Euromonitor who has been trained to help them. They will meet 10 times – at the launch event, followed by eight one-to-one mentoring sessions lasting 60 minutes each in the Euromonitor office, and finally at the Celebration Event attended by mentors, mentees and their parents.

The mentors will work through activities and games with the students which will help improve their confidence and skills for work. Also, the students will have a fantastic opportunity to experience hands-on work experience in certain departments like Communications, IT, Human Resources, Reception and learning to be a barista. 

The programme aims:

  • Introduce young people with additional needs to the world of work

  • Raise aspiration

  • Develop employability skills in a personalised way

  • Improve engagement of Year 12 students (e.g. self-confidence, self-esteem, attitude towards school, resilience etc.)

Skills Builder Universal Framework

This year, we have adopted the national Skills Builder Universal Framework into our bespoke mentoring programme, which has been developed to show students how to build essential skills at every stage of life. The sessions are framed around helping students to develop these skills, so that by the end of the programme, students will have seen a marked improvement in all these areas.

Mentors and mentees explore the Skills Builder skills throughout their sessions. These are: Listening, Speaking, Problem Solving, Creativity, Staying Positive, Aiming High, Leadership, and Teamwork.

 

Benefits of mentoring:

  • Students are developing their communication skills, which enables them to express themselves more confidently in school and environments outside of school.

  • Students have time to think about themselves and what they are good at. Some pupils are linking this to careers which is making the thought of transition less scary. 

  • Mentoring is fun! This is always good for your well-being!

  • Students are being given the opportunity to explore a range of jobs away from the school environment

  • Students are completing travel training and therefore feeling more independent

  • Meeting new people can be tough for everyone, especially if you have an additional need or Autism where you find it hard to read facial expressions or social situations. Going to Euromonitor and meeting new people helps our pupils to become more resilient.

  • Developing social skills

Our school partner

  • Samuel Rhodes Secondary School

Our business partners

  • Euromonitor International

  • Inspire!

    If your school or company is interested in any of the offers listed above or you would like more information, please email maria.tonchievici@thebigalliance.org.uk

Testimonials

“An incredible experience. Making an impact and even the smallest change on someone’s life, helping the kids develop their communication skills, and showing empathy brings pure joy and meaning to your own life”

Euromonitor International Mentor

" You come away with a positive and proactive attitude. The students were all lovely and a pleasure to spend Tuesday mornings with.”

Euromonitor International Mentor

“"THE SMILES ON THEIR FACES IS SOMETHING YOU CAN'T BUY."

Assistant Headteacher Samuel Rhodes
at the Celebration event