Harrodian has expanded its hugely successful buddy reader scheme into Mathematics and Science.
Every Thursday morning between 8.30 and 9.00 you can witness a familiar Harrodian ritual taking place. Inside on the sofas and stairs and outside in the gardens and courtyards, 60 Lower Prep pupils from our 8s , 9s and 10s (Years 4-6) meeting, greeting, chatting and above all, practising reading and sharing books with 60 Sixth Former ‘Reading Buddies’.
For me, the links Harrodian builds between age groups encapsulate what makes the school special
Ahmed, Harrodian Sixth Former and Head Mentor
Established ten years ago, the reading programme which is organised by the librarians and Ms Becky Edge has become a popular Harrodian institution. ‘I think it's great for younger pupils to have a relaxed extra reading lesson in the company of a older pupil,’ says Sixth Former Ahmed, top, a former buddy and now a Head Mentor. ‘For me, the links Harrodian builds between age groups encapsulate what makes the school special.’
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Encouraged by the success of the reading scheme, a few years ago, Harrodian decided both to expand the buddy scheme’s subject and age range so it linked more closely with curricular priorities. In every case, the ambitions are similar: to create a relaxed learning environment in which older, exam-wise students can pass on their experience and knowledge to younger children in need of a little extra help.
The ambition is always to create a relaxed learning environment in which older, exam-wise students can pass on their experience and knowledge to younger children in need of a little extra help
Now Thursday’s half hour buddy line-up includes ten Sixth Form Maths students who have been matched with ten pupils from the 13s. Head of Mathematics, Mr Anthony Lee explains that the focus of the Maths buddying programme is on pupils who may have failed to grasp an essential piece of knowledge the first time round. ‘We’re always conscious that pupils may have missed something important – what an ‘angle’ actually is, for example – that can really hold them back when they begin their GCSEs.’ he explains. ‘With a buddy they feel less embarrassed about admitting what they don’t know.’
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The focus for Head of Science, Mr Jak Cooper is on the GCSEs with 16 Sixth Form Science students helping out 16 15s (Year 11) students in their GCSE year. Hamish, who has been buddying Mimi (both shown above) as she prepares to take her mock exams in January, believes the buddying system is especially useful in the revision guidance context. ‘Going through the exams last summer is still fresh in my mind so I can draw on what I found difficult and what I learnt from it. And as an A level student I'm now so much clearer and better able to explain stuff that seemed rather abstract when I first tackled it,’ he says. ‘I'm better able to explain to Mimi what GCSE questions are getting at and what the examiners want to see in your answers.
As an A level student I'm clearer about stuff that seemed rather abstract when I first tackled it. It means I'm better able to explain what GCSE questions are getting at and what the examiners want to see in answers
Hamish, A Level Science student
Hamish clearly enjoys passing on his passion for science and it's clear that the shared joy in learning that buddying promotes is also key to its growing success and popularity. Ilias from the 12s (Year 8) has been working on his Maths with Sixth Former, buddy and Mentor, Savannah (shown above) for the past term and says he now really looks forward to Thursday mornings: 'It's a lot of fun,' he enthuses. 'Maths is definitely my favourite subject.'
