Foundation motivates Enfield's primary school pupils

Tottenham Hotspur Foundation is delivering an innovative mentoring programme to primary schools in Enfield to help motivate, engage and focus pupils who have behavioural difficulties in class.

The Foundation has been working with children at Wilbury and Brimsdown Primary Schools in Enfield, providing three hours of mentoring each week over the course of the one year programme.

Designed with Key Stage Level 2 students in mind, mentoring takes place during school lessons and sees Foundation mentors sit with pupils at their desks to guide them through activities and act as a positive role model within a classroom setting.

Ultimately, the programme aims to encourage pupils to take a positive attitude to learning so that they have the best chance of engaging and staying in education.

Speaking about the project, Kate Turnpenney, Head Teacher, Wilbury Primary School, said: “One of our pupils has settled into Year 3 but has struggled at times with the demands of the Key Stage 2 curriculum. Having the opportunity to work with one of the Foundation mentors has provided him with a strong role model in class, which is having a positive impact on his learning and self-esteem.”

Grant Cornwell MBE, Chief Executive of Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, said: “We are committed to supporting young people on an education and employment pathway. For younger children, we work closely with local schools delivering a variety of programmes that encourage pupils to engage positively with education. Instilling a positive attitude to education at a young age is extremely beneficial and something we’ve witnessed through our mentoring scheme. We look forward to rolling out the Primary School Mentoring project to more schools over the coming year.”

Tottenham Hotspur Foundation expects to deliver Primary School Mentoring to a further 18 primary schools in Enfield over the next 12 months through the Section 106 Partnership.

The Enfield Section 106 Partnership was launched in June 2010 by Enfield Council, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and Tottenham Hotspur. It is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the Club’s £2.3m commitment to community sport and physical activity over 10 years to the area.