St Mary’s E-Mentoring Scheme off to a Successful Start

Pupils from Christ’s School in Richmond recently spent the day in a series of creative learning and skills workshops at St Mary’s University, Twickenham as part of the University’s new e-mentoring scheme. The e-mentoring scheme was launched in September 2013 by St Mary’s Widening Participation team in order to work with pupils in local schools and raise aspirations, awareness and attainment for those considering higher education. The scheme, which is the first of its kind in south-west London, has already enrolled more than 50 pupils from two schools, who are now being mentored online by current St Mary’s students. As part of the programme, 19 year nine pupils from Christ’s School in Richmond recently visited St Mary’s Strawberry Hill campus where they were able to take part in creative skills for learning workshops, drama sessions, as well as face-to-face meeting with their mentors. St Mary’s Project Co-ordinator Alasdair Robertson said, “This is the second visit from Christ’s School and we hope that this visit will inspire them to start considering university as an option.” The initiative uses a range of on campus visits, one-to-one sessions and online programmes to support and enhance the work that is already taking place in the schools, raising students’ aspirations for the future, and enhancing their current studies.