Assertive Mentoring is a child-centered, collaborative approach to education that focuses on tracking student progress, intervening when needed, mentoring and motivating students, and empowering students and teachers. Many schools saw dramatic improvements after implementing Assertive Mentoring, such as significantly higher test scores, improving from Notice to Improve status to Good or Outstanding, and transforming school culture and student attitudes towards learning. Teachers provided enthusiastic testimonials about the positive impact of Assertive Mentoring on student progress, teacher practice, and school improvement.

1. Assertive Mentoring places
the child at the centre of
learning
and raises achievement for
ALL
Today’s hypothesis

2. What is Assertive Mentoring?
“Assertive Mentoring brings
together many outstanding
school systems together in one
place.
It is a focussed, child centred,
collaborative approach based
on a dialogue about the child’s
present and future learning
needs.” (G. Downey SIP)

3. Assertive Mentoring Model
• Targets and tracking
• Intervene and interact
• Mentor and motivate
• Empower and ensure

4. Impact 2012
We were put in Notice to Improve in 2011. Since we introduced AM
progress across KS2 has been outstanding. Ofsted now describe us as
‘a rapidly improving school’ and took us out in 2012.
(J. Briggs, HT: All Saints Primary, Bolton)
We were fearing Special Measures. We now have the highest VA in
Lancashire and are in the top 100 schools nationally! I do believe that
introducing AM was the turning point for our school not just
academically but in our whole ethos. (K. Blacoe, HT: Primet Pri, Lancs)
We were in Notice to Improve so we introduced AM. Now we have
been judged as good with outstanding features. HMI said AM has had
a ‘transformational effect on children’s attitudes to learning’.
(J. Ditchburn, HT: Ashfield Junior, Workington)

5. Impact 2012
We started it in February and were inspected two weeks later! Ofsted
loved it and moved us from satisfactory to good. We went on to get the
best results in our history this year. E&M went from 45% to 79%.
(E. Wickham, DHT: Burnwood Primary, Stoke )
Last year we were under floor targets, had two satisfactory reports and
had the DFE breathing down our necks looking to force an academy
conversion. This year we have gone from 56% to 86% (E&M) with
results across the board massively improved. Ofsted have just graded
us as good with outstanding features.
(M. Standen, HT: Holy Trinity CE Primary, Darwen)
We have the highest results in the school’s history thanks to AM. This
stuff just works! (K. Schooling, HT: Ross St Michael, Doncaster )

6. Impact 2012
We’re over the moon!!! How does 94% L4+ in English and maths
combined sound, with 50% L5 in maths and 94% L5 in reading!
(K. Conwell, HT: Adswood Primary,
Stockport )
We are immensely pleased with AM – it’s worked for us. Maths results
are up 35% at L4 and 23% at L5 so we are celebrating SATs in the 90s
for the first time ever! (H. Newell, HT: St Michael’s Jnr, Norwich)
Best ever results within a year of introducing AM. The staff and
children are hungry for more. (T. Croasdale, HT: St. Paul’s
Primary, Bury)
I am a believer! Our Y6 results are way beyond our dreams (and
targets) and our best ever. (R. Williams, HT: Docking CE, Kings Lynn)

7. SATs 2011
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
Writing 2009 28% 8% 2011 79% 27%
We are now out of Special Measures and out of danger. We owe a lot to AM. Many thanks.
(Mount Pleasant Primary: Darlington)
Subject Year L4+ Year L4+ Year L4+ L5
English 2009 54% 2010 75% 2011 89% 26%
Maths 2011 91% 44%
Things just get better and better here! (Cheriton Primary: Kent)
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
English 2010 74% 26% 2011 91% 41%
Maths 2009 65% 24% 2011 83% 41%
We are convinced AM has been the single most effective method we have implemented for
raising standards. Thank you so much for unlocking the secret for us. (Field End Junior: Ruislip)

8. SATs 2011
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
Writing 2010 62% 7% 2011 92% 52%
We have achieved this in just 9 months of AM! (Stocksfield Primary: Newcastle)
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
English 2006 0% 0% 2011 83% 38%
AM has definitely brought everything together for us. Thank you. (Adswood Primary: Stockport)
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
English 2010 54% 2011 75%
Maths 2010 49% 2011 80%
Our SAT results are so much better than ever before. HMI are impressed with the impact of AM
and the kids absolutely love it! (West Melton Junior: Rotherham)

9. SATs 2011
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
Maths 2010 49% 2011 73%
We just wish we had started the Literacy at the same time. (Salmestone Primary: Margate)
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
Maths 2010 47% 5% 2011 91% 20%
From second poorest in the country to one of the best inside a year! (Academy 360: Sunderland)
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
Writing 2010 27% 4% 2011 75% 12%
English 2010 57% 4% 2011 92% 22%
We are absolutely delighted with AM and our much improved SAT results. The impact is
outstanding, brilliant, absolutely fantastic! (New Moston Primary: Manchester)

10. What does the SIP say?
The Assertive Mentoring
system is outstanding.
It has a significant impact
upon the motivation and
progress of pupils.”
(G. Downey: SIP)

11. What does the SIP say?
“This is an outstanding
aid to school
improvement.
The manner in which it
is being used in Red
Hall is very
impressive.”
(B. Lowes: SIP)

12. What does the LO say?
“The Assertive Mentoring
system provides an
excellent model for planning,
teaching and learning.
It is successful because it is
based on the fundamental
principles of good teaching.”
(J. Steel: Lead Officer )

13. What does Ofsted say?
“Academic guidance is outstanding. The school’s highly effective mentoring
programme gives teachers all the information they need to ensure pupils have
the targets to improve their work.” (Red Hall: Ofsted 2009)
“AM has underpinned impressive improvements in pupils’ achievements
across both KS1 and KS2, and transformed pupils’ attitudes to learning and
their life in school in the process.” (Mount Pleasant: Ofsted 2010)
“Progress is accelerating and teaching is improving thanks to the ‘forensic
analysis of assessments’ through AM.”(Houghton: Ofsted 2012)
“AM has had a transformational effect on children’s attitudes to learning.”
(Ashfield Junior: Ofsted 2011)
“A highly effective programme that involves pupils in assessing their own
progress…which results in pupils being very well informed about how well
they are doing and the next steps in their learning.”
(Brant Brougham: Ofsted 2013)

14. Within four months
Assertive Mentoring impact:
• I cannot believe the speed
and scale of its impact.
• This is an entirely different
school.
• A total transformation.
• The difference in climate,
culture and pupil behaviour is
immeasurable.
(J. Steel: Lead Officer 2010)

15. Within four months
“Assertive Mentoring has:
• led to major improvements in
the accuracy of assessment
• improved learning and
progress significantly
• highly motivated students
• raised expectations for all
• led to a massive
improvement in children’s
attitudes and behaviour.”
(LA Outcomes Review: 2010)

16. Within six months
Assertive Mentoring impact:
We would not have believed
this amount of progress was
even possible.
The best example of using
assessment we have ever
witnessed.
The school is
unrecognisable.
(HMI /Ofsted 2010)

17. Within six months
Assertive Mentoring lies at the
heart of the vast majority of the
improved outcomes for pupils and
has proved a powerful tool in the
classroom;
Driving up standards
Accelerating progress rapidly
Transforming pupils’ attitudes
Dramatically impacting on climate
Empowering pupils and staff.
(Ofsted Report 2010)

18. Impact elsewhere
Y6 results were our best ever this year with APS scores well above last
year and the national average. The best thing was all the children
could tell you what they had to do to improve. (Sarah Knowles)
Our SATs results are great news for us; up by 25 – 35%. Thanks for
everything, as you can see it’s had a massive impact! (Carol Coleman)
Having been stuck around 50% L4+ for the last 6 years in writing we
jumped straight to 75% within the first year and an incredible 89% the
next, with 26% at L5. We are all stunned and mightily relieved.
(Angela Maxted)
We are convinced AM has been the single most effective method we
have implemented for raising standards. Thank you so much for
unlocking the secret for us. (Field End Junior: Ruislip)

19. Impact elsewhere
I can talk with true passion about the impact of AM in my school. As a
result of AM outcomes in maths rose from 68% to 84% (L4+) and from
16% to 37% (L5) in just five months! A fantastic achievement and one
we all proud of. (B. Aylett, HT: Montgomery School, Colchester)
Never has an initiative made such a massive impact so quickly. WOW!
From scratching my head annually as to finding the way to improve
writing I now smile because the mentoring system is the perfect tool. It
really works. Our highest ever result in writing was 67%, it has
immediately jumped to 84% and reading went to an incredible 92%!.
Thank you so much. (Cathy Greenaway)
We needed Assertive Mentoring to raise attainment and lift us to the
next level. This ensured we received ‘outstanding’ in our latest Ofsted.
(J. Gleeson, HT: St George’s Primary, Middleton)

20. SATs 2012
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
E & M 2011 32% 2012 75%
Just 1 year into Assertive Mentoring and look what’s happened. We can’t thank you enough!!
(J. Crawford, HT: Greasbrough Primary, Rotherham)
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
E & M 2011 42% 2012 88%
We’re just amazed – blown away! We were put in Notice to improve in 2011 and now have the
best results in our history within 12 months! (D. Luke, HT: Radcliffe Hall CE, Bury)
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
E & M 2011 30% 2012 85%
We only started Assertive Mentoring in January. It’s definitely AM that’s done it for us!
(K. Burns, HT: St Peter’s Primary, Ashton)
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
E & M 2011 45% 2012 79%
We started in February. Ofsted loved it and we went on to get the best results in our history!
(E. Wickham, DHT: Burnwood Primary, Stoke)

21. SATs 2012
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
E & M 2011 70% 2012 100%
A huge THANK YOU for a career changing system. 100% is unheard of here but WE did it!
I’m totally convinced! (R. Williams, HT: Docking Primary, King’s Lynn)
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
Writing 2011 40% 2012 90%
We only started the writing after Christmas. Wish we had done the maths as well. Our maths
results were dire! (C. Harrison, HT: St Edmund’s RC, Salford)
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
Maths 2011 69% 19% 2012 84% 43%
Our results have gone from being terrible last year to children getting L6! Thanks for all the AM
support! (M. Brennan, HT: St Mary’s, Halifax)
Subject Year L4+ L5 Year L4+ L5
E & M 2011 56% 2012 87%
AM has been a major force in the culture of change within my school. Results across the board
are massively improved. (M. Standen, HT: Holy Trinity Primary, Darwen)

22. Impact elsewhere
This has had a massive impact in my classroom. 100% of children
from April to June made a sub level of progress in writing and over
60% made 2 !!!! (James Kendall)
The mentoring system has changed the way I feel as a teacher and
revolutionised my practice. (Rob Goffee: Y6 teacher)
Very pleasing results at both key stages with even better progress. At
KS2, 97% made 2 levels progress in Maths and 100% in English.
(Karen Blacoe)
We introduced AM gradually from September. By Easter, even the most
sceptical of staff were true converts. We are convinced! (Joyce Jenkins)
The really great thing is seeing those children who have moved from P
levels to L3 and L1 to L4 across KS2. (Angela Maxted)

23. Impact elsewhere
HMI were most impressed with the progress we have made in a short
time. In particular the way in which AM has motivated children and
given them greater control of their own learning journey. THANK YOU!
(Clare Daddy)
It has had impact from day one! (John Edwards)
HMI were impressed with the impact and how the children talked so
enthusiastically about it. (Madeline Burkett)
Y6 had just 12 weeks of using the AM programme. KS2 results
showed a 25% increase at L4+ in English and in maths.
(James Kendall)
The staff and children love the systems. The impact is clear and
immediate! (Clare Ord)