The Oppidan Foundation utilises the support of older students to mentor younger peers who are at risk of exclusion or are struggling with the transition to secondary school in state schools across England. Our mentoring programmes focus on providing holistic pastoral support that builds the resilience and confidence of students who take part. Oppidan believe academic success and positive self-image are mutually inclusive - it therefore places mental well-being at the centre of its delivery. Its work fills gaps in pastoral provision in the state education sector, aiming to reduce inequality in education and reach disadvantaged students across the country.
Oppidan runs peer mentoring programmes in state maintained schools. Our team of volunteers are paired with Y12 students and work with those students for six weeks, with one hour mentoring each week (either online or F2F). During those mentoring sessions, our volunteers provide personal development support and career advice, while also teaching the Y12s how to mentor younger peers. Following their training, the Y12s are paired with students in Y7 who are struggling in school. They go on to mentor those younger peers for 6-12 weeks, forming sustained relationships and positive bonds between year groups.
