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The one consistent message we get from our students when we ask them how we can improve our events is that they want more – another night, to meet up with the same students again, other sectors. There is a limit to what we can do with events, so we need to find additional ways to meet this need. The Aspire mentoring project is designed to address this challenge. In time, we aim to provide a professional mentor to each of our sixth form students. This supportive and inspiring relationship aims to nurture students' academic and personal growth while helping them make confident, informed decisions about their future.
The Company will provide mentors, platform, policy and process coordination. Coordinators in schools will build up local mentor networks and work with students to make sure they get all the benefits that this structured and personalised relationship with the Haberdashers’ wider community can provide.
From the summer onwards, mentors begin completing an Enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check, registering with the DBS Update Service. Early in the academic year, mentees attend a Welcome to Habs Aspire assembly led by their Aspire Coordinator, where they are introduced to the programme and complete various tasks. During this period, mentors can attend an information webinar facilitated by the Aspire Co-ordinators.
Mentees and mentors will complete a matching form and their profiles via this site. For mentees, this will contain information about any post-18 pathway, career/sector and other interests. For mentors, this will contain information about their job role, career sector and other interests. The Aspire Coordinators then start matching.
Mentors complete online training, which includes guidance on supporting vulnerable students and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Both mentors and mentees are added to their designated Microsoft Teams Habs Aspire group, which provides access to relevant resources and a private channel for direct communication. Mentees receive a brief introduction to their assigned mentor and attend a Preparing to Meet Your Mentor workshop, during which they complete their initial introduction via the private channel. Ongoing communication between mentor and mentee is maintained through this channel to arrange future mentoring sessions.
The mentor and mentee begin their agreed mentoring sessions, conducted online via Teams, with each session lasting at least one hour. A minimum of four one-hour sessions is expected per academic year.
Folami
Former Head Boy Haberdashers’ Hatcham College, Aspire Mentor
Having a mentor has been vital in navigating university life and starting my career. Given the help I have received from the Company and my school over the years, this is a great opportunity to repay that debt. Knowing that I may be able to help a young adult who could’ve been in a similar position I would’ve been when growing up, is a great prospect for me.
Jan Shadick
Haberdashers' Academies Trust South CEO
Together we can create a powerful and wide-ranging network of mentees and mentors. This is an important part of our Haberdashers Advantage programme and a priority for us. We know the importance of mentoring for young people so that they can be guided in their next steps.
Simone
Former student Haberdashers' Elstree Girls, Aspire Mentor
As someone who has had a mentor throughout my working life, I know the importance of having someone there, who can offer objective guidance and support. And I’m particularly delighted to be doing this via the Haberdashers’ company. As a proud alumni of the school in Elstree, I couldn’t think of a better way to pay it forward.
Lisa
Former student Haberdashers' Monmouth, Aspire Mentor
The Aspire programme is a brilliant initiative that I’m honoured to be part of. Having been in the shoes of a sixth-former not too long ago, I know just how beneficial a mentor can be in today’s world when starting to navigate that daunting path beyond school.
Folami
Former Head Boy Haberdashers’ Hatcham College, Aspire Mentor
Having a mentor has been vital in navigating university life and starting my career. Given the help I have received from the Company and my school over the years, this is a great opportunity to repay that debt. Knowing that I may be able to help a young adult who could’ve been in a similar position I would’ve been when growing up, is a great prospect for me.
Jan Shadick
Haberdashers' Academies Trust South CEO
Together we can create a powerful and wide-ranging network of mentees and mentors. This is an important part of our Haberdashers Advantage programme and a priority for us. We know the importance of mentoring for young people so that they can be guided in their next steps.
Simone
Former student Haberdashers' Elstree Girls, Aspire Mentor
As someone who has had a mentor throughout my working life, I know the importance of having someone there, who can offer objective guidance and support. And I’m particularly delighted to be doing this via the Haberdashers’ company. As a proud alumni of the school in Elstree, I couldn’t think of a better way to pay it forward.
Lisa
Former student Haberdashers' Monmouth, Aspire Mentor
The Aspire programme is a brilliant initiative that I’m honoured to be part of. Having been in the shoes of a sixth-former not too long ago, I know just how beneficial a mentor can be in today’s world when starting to navigate that daunting path beyond school.
