GE UK's volunteering programme has helped teenagers in disadvantaged areas to reach their full potential by raising standards amongst a third of participating students.
The Stretch, Challenge and Excite programme was launched in April 2008 and has covered a number of GE locations across the UK, giving students the opportunity to expand their knowledge by benefitting from the life skills of GE volunteers. It is one of a number of GE volunteering and corporate citizenship initatives in the UK.
A GE UK volunteering scheme designed to help promising teenagers in disadvantaged areas reach their full potential has raised "excellent" ratings by up to a third among participating students.
Unlike many conventional volunteering programmes, some 60 GE volunteers at sites across the UK were asked to share their own life skills, unique talents, experiences and interests with young people to expand their knowledge of future opportunities that could be available to them. Students tried their hand at activities ranging from wind surfing to learning the Indian language of Telugu.
Participating students were deemed to be 'gifted and talented' and live in disadvantaged areas. There is compelling evidence that young people from such backgrounds can 'miss out' on opportunities because of their circumstances. However, with a little additional support, they will go on to achieve their full potential. Evidence shows that some of the most memorable learning experiences come from beyond the classroom and that such activities can have a very positive impact on student behaviour and their attitude to study and work.
The programme known as GE Stretch, Challenge and Excite was developed and managed by not-for-profit organisation, HTI (Heads, Teachers and Industry), which brokers CSR progammes between business and schools. Launched in April 2008 the scheme has covered GE sites in diverse locations such as Truro, Cardiff, Groby, Leicester, Cramlington, and Northampton.
HTI conducted an evaluation survey of participating teachers which showed significant grade increase for students who took part in the programme. Over a third (33%) more students were graded by their teacher as excellent (exceptional and exceeding expectations) in the area of 'attainments related to ability', 27% more students were graded as excellent in problem solving, 26% more students were graded as excellent in communication skills and 'attitude to learning', 19% more achieved an excellent grade for 'teamwork' and also 'increase in self esteem', and 16% more were graded as excellent in 'aspirations'.
Anne Evans, Chief Executive of HTI, said: "Since September 2008 QCA guidelines have advised schools to provide 11 -- 14 year olds with activities beyond the classroom. This has freed up the curriculum creating better opportunities for businesses to engage with schools in a meaningful way. HTI specialises in devising and operating educational programmes for businesses that have measurable impact, as in this case where GE has made a real difference to raising the aspirations of talented children in disadvantaged areas."
The programme also seems to have encouraged students to think more about further educational opportunities. According to participating teachers, 39% more students were graded as excellent in terms of having 'an awareness of higher education possibilities.'
Sue Long, Vice Principal, Winstanley Community College in Groby, said "Our students have really benefitted from these experiences and they will have a lasting effect on the aspirations and self confidence of all those involved. We have an enormous respect for a company that spends so much quality time working with children in so many ways."
The Stretch, Challenge and Excite programme included a wide range of volunteering and mentoring projects. At Winstanley Community College Leicester, volunteers from GE Sensing helped students learn about project management using the 4D methodology -- Decide, Define, Design and Deliver. The Decide stage produced four suggested projects to re-vamp areas in the college with the whole school voting on which project to adopt and agreeing to transform an unused area of the college into an outside classroom to benefit the college and local community.
At the Richard Lander School in Truro volunteers from GE Money ran a 'Young Apprentice' project with seven teams being set the task of creating a product or service for sale at an opening evening, helped by a GE mentor. Products created included smoothies, CDs, photographs and cookbooks. During the process the students learnt about idea generation, profit and loss, marketing, hiring people and teamwork.
At Pontypridd High School GE Healthcare volunteers worked on a project around the topic of electricity with practical exercises including plug wiring, fuse checking and fault finding.
GE UK National Executive, Mark Elborne commented: "We are very pleased with these results from our first year of the programme. There is no doubt that projects run by volunteers in industry, such as the GE volunteers, can provide role models that have very positive effects on students' behaviour, self esteem and aspirations. It was very useful to start to measure the impact with the help of the Heads, Teachers, and Industry group. It is a strong foundation for us to build on in the future."
The Stretch, Challenge and Excite initiative is just one of a number of GE volunteering and corporate citizenship initiatives in the UK. Other GE projects include involvement with Get Set, the official London 2012 education programme and support through the GE Foundation of organisations such as The Prince's Trust, Young Enterprise and STEMNET (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network).
Sara Cruz
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