Goal Mapping

Aim Higher

The presentation was in a way not quite the right word. We have all become used to the kinds of presentation using OHP’s or Powerpoint where the presenter reads what is on screen (often in a less than inspiring manner). This presentation was dynamic involving and high on audience participation. Students worked in pairs or small groups at various point in the morning, at other times they were riveted amused or spell bound by the breadth depth and all round quality of material presented and the way it was delivered. The purpose was to get them to see the key role that motivation and self belief plays in all kinds of activity and how low morale can prevent anyone from reaching their potential. With examples drawn from sport, fashion, history, music, and the presenter’s own experience, with references to real life situations faced by year ten students the whole event was vibrant. Each one was asked to reflect on good experiences then use them to reflect on how that felt to use that as part of a motivational strategy. When the presenter announced the focal point of the morning there was a stunned silence followed by a buzz of chattering disbelief. Two of our number were going to break a one inch think lump of hard wood with their bare hands in a single blow. The teacher  wondered if the presenter had done his risk assessments, the organiser wondered about the implication for the college health and safety policy. We needed not have doubted. All had been well prepared. The two students, one large an male the other small and female, were thoroughly briefed in the technique required. They and we had made it clear to us that provided the technique was followed all that could prevent success was a lack of belief or motivation. There was a slight intake of breadth from tension as the first student stepped up to the mark. Would they end up with a broken hand and we end up with broken careers? Oh we of little faith both our students passed the test with ease. It all goes to show what you can achieve if you have a good trainer and believe you can do it.

Project Worker – Aim Higher

It has been nearly a year since I had the good fortune to hear about Positively MAD
and attend one of your teacher events in Gantham. You had obviously already built a
significant reputation in the country fore your excellent pupil and teacher-training
events. I understand that this was through your connection with the excellence
clusters and the work you were doing for them. I have particularly appreciated the
way you have consistently supported us at Aimhigher throughout all of the
programmes you have delivered. I can say that the teacher-training events and the
student workshops have been a major highlight of our work withig Lincolnshire and
Ruthland schools. We set out to raise aspiration and attainment in all our schools and I
firmly believe that your efforts have been made a valuable contribution towards
sustainable change in the country. The presentation that you gave at the “Launch
Conference” in July at Lincoln University. Really set out some clear benefits of your
work and the way they met much of our own success criteria. The aspiration and
motivational events have proved extremely successful and I feel that you have
inspired a good number of the students to think more positively and creatively about
their future. The study skill and exambuster workshops enable all abilities to be more
effective learners and recognise how they can achieve greater thing than they
previously may have believed possible. Your teacher-training programmes have
proved popular with both Secondary and Grammar school teachers and we would be
happy to schedule similar events over the next year.”

Jackie Jackson, Project Worker – Aim Higher

Project Facilitator – Aim Higher

Overall feedback from the 27th was very positive – certainly the students were very
impressed with your input on the day. Favourite part of the day was the afternoon
session. Students particularly found the mind maps and music exercises helpful and
enjoyed remembering list of facts and other memory exercises.

Ruth Squire, Project Facilitator