£114k funding to support disadvantaged pupils through crucial school transition
Accompaniment - Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust
A project aimed at supporting disadvantaged pupils in Sunderland to make the move from primary to secondary school has been backed by SHINE.
The ‘Accompaniment’ project is designed to address the specific challenges faced by vulnerable pupils at St Aidan’s Catholic Academy and St Anthony’s Catholic Girls School, both part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust.
SHINE is providing over £114,538 in funding through its £11 million, 10-year SHINE Sunderland partnership.
The project offers a range of experiences to help pupils feel a sense of connectedness and belonging as they move into secondary school.
Alan Herbertson, Senior Assistant Headteacher at St Aidan’s Catholic Academy, explained, “A lot of the research we’ve read, including the SHINE study from the University of Sunderland, highlights the importance of belonging and connectedness. Vulnerable students often experience a ‘fish out of water’ feeling when they transition to secondary school, and many feel like they just don’t fit in.
“The project is designed to help these students integrate and ensure they have an adult ‘invested other’– someone who goes on the journey with them.”
The ‘invested other’ could be a family member, a mentor from the school, or even a community worker.
Alan said: “What we want to do is ensure there’s someone from home or the community walking that journey with them during that critical first year, someone who understands the school systems, such as assessments, homework, attendance, and behaviour expectations.”
An inspiration for the project comes from research by Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child, which found that every child who succeeds has had at least one stable, committed relationship with a supportive adult.
“We ask ourselves: Who will be that stable, committed adult for these students? The ‘invested other’ might not be a mum or dad; it could be an auntie, a grandparent, a carer, or a community worker, said Alan.
The project will also bring in motivational speakers, including Danny Curtin, who overcame significant childhood hardships, to engage both students and their families. These speakers will emphasise the importance of stability and consistent support.
Alan added: We’re also going to build that cultural capital for the student and their ‘invested other’, with different experiences over the course of the year.”
Planned activities include theatre visits, outdoor expeditions in the Lake District and along the coast, and confidence-building workshops with a former student who uses acting to improve self-esteem.
“We also plan to have book groups, mastery maths, and lots of career advice in Year 7, helping students explore local university options and career paths. But we’re not just focusing on the pupils; we want to take the ‘invested other’ on that journey as well. Their involvement will build trust and ensure they understand the importance of supporting the student’s development. This, in turn, will help strengthen the student’s opportunities to truly thrive and shine.”
The project also seeks to broaden students’ horizons beyond the local culture, which has historically revolved around football.
“With local developments like Crown Works bringing investment into the film industry, we see potential in careers in the expressive arts,” said Alan.
“We’ll also bring in employers from companies like Nissan and Rolls-Royce, as well as Crown Works, to introduce students and their families to future career possibilities. Over time, we hope these experiences will help students and their parents develop stronger awareness of future opportunities, which will ultimately help close the attainment gap.”
Building a strong sense of belonging and community is central to the project’s approach. Alan explained, “Students will attend school with a sense of belonging, and we won’t lose them because they’ll have that connection. The stability and dialogue between home and school, supported by these shared experiences, will make their opportunities much better.”
Initially, six students from each school will be selected to take part in the project.
“We want to select those children that sometimes get forgotten – the ones who, had they been born into different circumstances, might have gone on to be absolute superstars,” explained Frances Collins, Senior Assistant Headteacher at St Anthony’s Catholic Girls School.
“We’re looking at kids that could be exceptional, but life hasn’t given them the opportunities they deserve, and we want to change that.”
The project will be closely monitored and adjusted based on feedback and progress. Alan believes that the initiative will have a “ripple effect,” with successful practices extending to other students. “We’ll learn a lot from this experience,” he said. “What we achieve with the small groups will inform our practices with wider year groups.”
A comprehensive system will track progress, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement. Regular reviews will focus on key areas such as attendance, academic results, behaviour, and participation in extracurricular activities. The project team will also assess student wellbeing twice a year through surveys and feedback from students, mentors, and teachers to track emotional and social growth.
“The goal is to make the best use of Sunderland’s resources and ensure sustainability,” Alan added.
“We don’t need to look far to expand our horizons. There are plenty of opportunities right here on our doorstep.” The team will work to ensure that the project’s impact is lasting, asking, “How can we sustain this in the future and leave a legacy?”
The SHINE Sunderland programme has already helped encourage a sense of community and collaboration among schools in the city.
Frances said: “It’s been really interesting to share insights with colleagues about what’s happening in other schools, get excited about each other’s projects, and exchange ideas.
“In the future, I think there’ll be a lot in there to be able to share with other people. We love anything that’s an opportunity to see what’s going on in other schools because I think that’s how you learn, it’s how you move forward. It’s where you get your ideas.”
Alan says the evidence-based approach advocated by SHINE is essential to the success of all SHINE Sunderland projects.
“We can contribute to the evidence base by sharing what works and what doesn’t,” Alan explained. “We’ll make mistakes, but we hope to get things right as well. Our experiences will help other schools learn effective strategies for working with vulnerable pupils. It will be interesting to share this pastoral, cultural, and connectedness-focused approach with others.
“The beauty of it is that when you meet with other schools, you learn from them. It’s a continuous cycle of change, and the funding gives you the opportunity to experiment and test ideas in your local context. What works in London might not work in the North East of England, and the funding allows you to adapt and refine approaches in your own back garden.
“The disadvantage gap isn’t nearly as pronounced in London. Here, there are at least a couple of generations of disadvantage. Sunderland is coastal, northern, and post-industrial – factors that all have an impact. A lot of the research from the University of Sunderland highlighted the challenges faced by white boys, in particular, who often struggle to thrive. It’s a daunting challenge, but receiving funding for this project is a privilege and one that comes with significant responsibility.”
SHINE’s support has been instrumental in the early stages of the project. “They’ve been excellent throughout,” Alan said. “SHINE has provided inspiration and made us feel part of a community. When all the project leads from different schools gathered at the Winter Gardens recently, we felt bonded as a group.”
Anne-Marie Whitten, Headteacher, St. Aidan’s Catholic Academy, said, “SHINE is committed to closing the attainment gap by funding and supporting educational projects that offer equal opportunities to all students, regardless of their circumstances. Their endorsement of this project underscores its potential to make a significant impact on vulnerable students’ lives.”
Marie Langhan, Headteacher, St. Anthony’s Girls Catholic Academy, said, “We are deeply grateful for SHINE’s support to help transform the educational experiences of vulnerable pupils in Sunderland, equipping them with the tools, confidence, and support needed to succeed in their educational journey and beyond. We are really excited about this project and the outcomes for our pupils, allowing them to be the best versions of themselves.”
Fiona Spellman, CEO of SHINE, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this exciting new project. We know that building a sense of belonging is key to improving attendance and engagement with school. We look forward to supporting this approach as part of our commitment to fostering positive innovations across the city.”