Tackling bullies and the truants

10:58am Tuesday 30th January 2001

LEWISHAM has won more Government cash as it leads attempts to combat problems which plague pupils' schooling.

The money for new "learning mentors" will fund six extra posts.

These will be used to help tackle the effects of bullying, poor self-confidence, truancy, teenage pregnancies and other emotional disruptions.

There are 1,500 already in place throughout the country and 49 in Lewisham.

The appointment of the mentors frees teachers, who can then concentrate on work in the classroom.

Mentors are usually paid, school-based members of staff who help children overcome barriers to learning.

These will include problems at home and poor organisational skills.

Schools Standards Minister Estelle Morris announced a £12m boost to the national yearly budget for mentors at the launch of the Excellence in Cities annual report in North London.

In 1999, Lewisham was one of the first areas in the country to sign up to the Excellence in Cities project, aimed at improving urban education and includes the mentors project.

It is the only council in the country pledging to eventually have a mentor in every one of its schools .

The borough now has just under £1m to spend on mentors in primary and secondary schools.

Malory Secondary School, in Downham, has a team of 10 mentors.

Co-ordinator Paul Senior said: "It really is having an impact.

"We have got 150 students on the books receiving support for educational needs and emotional needs.

"It has been very successful."

Councils have been left to distribute the money to their own schools.

Primary schools are expected to benefit from the new windfall in Lewisham when the money is available to spend next year.

The exact sum has not been calculated, but a Government spokesman said it would be enough for the equivalent of half a dozen posts.

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