Small Adjustments bring Dramatic Results
The Challenge
To help a student who was struggling to manage workload and exam pressure.
The Result
Brilliant GCSE results (9, 8, 7, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6, 5)
Attendance at school was becoming an increasing issue, and the student was failing to generate the motivation needed to complete coursework and prepare for upcoming GCSEs, which were only months away, saying he would not sit them at the end of the year.
Our Approach
This student needed a mentor they could trust, as quickly as possible. They were increasingly refusing support and guidance from parents and teachers.
The mentor quickly read the situation, knowing they had to find the right balance between managing the student’s stress around upcoming exams, whilst supporting the student to see things from a different perspective, and helping integrate a new process of managing daily proactive study. The mentor showed great empathy and positivity, which helped the student to adopt new ways of thinking and working.
The greatest hurdle to overcome was accepting that there was a different way of looking at the situation; once this awareness was achieved, options to take positive steps forward opened up. If actions weren’t completed, or the student slipped back into a negative frame of mind, the mentor began the process again, pointing out the achievements and progress that had already been made to encourage further reflection and willingness to change.
Success
Brilliant GCSE results (9, 8, 7, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6, 5)
Having said they would not sit the exams, the student ended up sitting them all, achieving grades that far exceeded expectations given the fluctuating attendance and work levels across the months building up to GCSEs.
