“Working with young people to ensure they can make choices rather than sacrifices.”
Every Talented Performer in school should have a JAE mentor to support them in addressing obstacles or hot spots around their sport and study. A JAE mentor is a specially trained teacher or adult who helps them to mange their time more effectively and cope with issues arising because of the demands on their time from sport and school.
Mentoring should be needs based, pupil centred and individualised. Minimal support may take the form of an encouraging word whilst passing in a corridor. Maximum support might involve a “case study” type meeting bringing together pupil, parents, teachers and coaches/governing body representatives.
As a general rule, mentors will usually be asked to mentor a small group of G&T young sports people and meet them once a week as a group to discuss their progress and share ideas.
On particular occasions a small number of G&T young sports people may require individualised support. When this happens mentors can usually be expected to spend a short period of concentrated time working with that young sports person until he/she is ready to be part of the group system once more.
Role in TeamYOU
Effective support of talented young performers depends on the co-ordinated support provided by teachers, parents and coaches. Together with other elements, this group is part of a young performer’s TeamYOU. School G&T programmes encourage parents and carers to attend an annual planning meeting with the JAE mentors to identify potential clashes or hot spot of sport and academic commitments
Mentor Tip
“By going to watch a competition or training session a mentor can develop a greater understanding of the needs and issues facing the young athlete performer.”
Mentor Requirements:
- Time to meet with their talented young people. Meetings should ideally be arranged twice a term however this should be as required.
- Be a good listener and able to relate to the problems of the young people: you do not need to have a sporting background but developing an understanding of the young performer’s goals and commitments within their sporting calendar will be essential. PE teachers will be able to help with any general information you need about most sports.
- Provide a link to the wider school: develop contacts, appreciate the flexibility that the school can offer.
- Have strong interpersonal skills especially in the following areas:
- Empowering and enabling - young performers to make the right decisions themselves.
- Brokering - between different groups (parents, coaches, national governing bodies, etc).
- Negotiating - on behalf of the young person by representing their needs in school.
- Counselling - the young person through tough times and difficult decisions.
- Communicating - developing contacts and liaising with parents, the coach and national governing bodies as required.
- Planning - helping the performer to manage the various demands placed upon them. Using simple planning tools with the performer.
- Monitoring, evaluating and reviewing - the young persons progress and helping them self evaluate through constructive feedback.
The overriding requirement is an interest in helping talented young people to develop into independent individuals, able to balance the requirements of their sport with other aspects of their lives in order to excel in all that they do.
I eXcel Mentors Guide
JAE mentors of young performers on the I eXcel Card scheme will be sent Mentor Guidance notes outlining the additional support that can be provided for these exceptionally talented performers.
Self Reflection Tool
There is currently a self reflection tool being piloted in schools. By using a quiz that looks at behaviour and attitude, performers self reflect on their strengths and areas for improvement. The tool is designed to aid JAE mentors in coaching talented performers to build self awareness and develop their own personal leadership skills. The tool will also allow mentors to move from being problem solvers to coaches of life-skills for the young performer.
By developing these skills, talented young people are empowered to deal with the challenges of being a high performer in the long term.