Gentoo - Pupils First

Gentoo worked in partnership with the Local Authority and Skills for Health to develop Pupils First.  The goal being to contribute to Sunderland’s ambition to be the first City aiming for all young people to attend schools which meet minimum standards of education as defined through Government’s Floor Targets.

Gentoo works in partnership across the City with schools, colleges, training providers and employers.  There are five schools involved, each was identified through analysis of  performance as those facing challenging circumstances and which, based on year on year improvements were unlikely to meet the minimum levels of pupils achieving 5 GCSEs at A* to C  without the targeted action proposed by the Pupils First project. 

Pupils experience a 2 year accredited placement, they are assigned a work-based mentor, with whom they spend one afternoon per week.  The project aims to raise pupils’ awareness of the world of work, improve  motivation, raise  aspirations and give them the practical skills and qualifications that help their employment prospects.  Each takes responsibility for the guidance and support of their pupil  whilst monitoring project work for qualification achievement.  Over 250 Gentoo staff contribute to delivering various work related learning programmes to thousands of pupils in the City.

The Pupils First programme has been so successful, it has influenced Gentoo’s  approach to new projects, with more employees volunteering as mentors.  As a result they have recently established a Young Apprenticeship programme with two more schools to add to their portfolio of programmes.