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Local student wins mentor of the year

5081 / KB 6th June 2008

Local student Victoria Booth has been named Birmingham City University’s Mentor of the Year thanks to her success with helping pupils fulfil their potential.

The 20 year old, who is a second year student on the University’s Music course, has been working with Year 9 pupils at Langley School in Olton to encourage them to raise their aspirations and think about higher education. 

Birmingham City University’s Mentoring Project forms part of the Birmingham and Solihull Higher Education Mentoring Project, an Aimhigher initiative involving four other Higher Education institutions and working with over 500 school pupils from across the region.  There are currently more than 40 students taking part in the Birmingham City University project, across all subject areas.

Mentoring involves one-to-one confidential sessions to improve learning and development, study skills, plan work, build confidence and help decide future goals.

Victoria, from Bedfordshire, was nominated by her school for being an outstanding mentor.  Following a presentation to a selection panel at Birmingham City University about her contribution to mentoring, she was selected ‘Mentor of the Year’.  Victoria said:  “I’ve reallyenjoyed mentoring and have learned a lot.  It was brilliant when I found out I had won.

”In the final session I realised I had a real respect for the students and they had developed a respect for me. It has been a real joy to mentor all the students and getting to know other students from the school. I was very appreciative of the school; they have an excellent mentoring coordinator and an encouraging and motivating head of year 11. Working with all the pupils helped them focus on what they want out of life and see their future potential."

Jennifer Dixon, Mentoring Co-ordinator at Birmingham City University, said: “The University’s Mentor of the Year award aims to recognise the exceptional work that mentors do to support learners during their school placements.  We like to recognise the good work of those mentors who ‘go the extra mile’ and we are delighted with the work that Victoria has done with pupils at Langley.  Her achievements are a testament to all her hard work.”

For further information please contact Birmingham City University Media Relations Office on 0121 331 6738, email press@bcu.ac.uk or out of hours on 07967 271 532.

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