STUDENTS at a secondary school are set to benefit from special coaching sessions to help them achieve their aspirations

Sovereign Housing Association, which manages around 5,500 homes in Basingstoke, is working with Achievement for All, at Aldworth School.

Achievement for All works with schools, colleges and nursery to improve outcomes for all children and young people regardless of their background, challenge or need.

Sponsored by Sovereign, Achievement for All will hold a series of 24 coaching sessions over the next two years through their award-winning programmes.

Sarah Fordham, Communities Officer, at Sovereign, said: “It’s great that the first school to sign-up as part of our partnership with Achievement for All is Aldworth School in South Ham, as a large number of these students will live in a Sovereign home.

“However, given we’ve been part of the Basingstoke community for many decades, we wanted to make an investment in the future of our whole community and we’re delighted to be working with Achievement for All.”

The programmes address issues faced by children and staff though four key areas: leadership, teaching and learning, wider outcomes and opportunities, and parent and carer engagement.

Around 100 students from Years 7 and nine 9 been identified as having potential to benefit from the programme, which will see parents, teachers and pupils having structured conversations to help identify everyday hurdles they face.

This may be anything from a break-up of the family home to a lack of understanding and confidence in helping their child with their homework.

Jo Kemp, assistant headteacher at Aldworth School, said: “By investing in our staff to develop the skills and techniques needed and support those children who are most vulnerable to underachievement, we are able to apply these skills more widely and extend the benefits to all pupils across the school.

“It’s great that over half of the teaching team have volunteered their time. They will each have a student who they will mentor over the course of the two years.”

Professor Sonia Blandford, chief executive officerat, Achievement for All, said: “It’s never been more important to support the children in most need within our school and we are delighted that Sovereign housing have recognised this and joined forces with us to improve the life chances of children.

“Schools who have benefited from our Schools Programme to date have seen a positive impact on the development of teaching, increased pupil attendance as well as improved confidence amongst pupils. We look forward to working with Sovereign and schools like Aldworth School.”