Making a difference

Our pupils thrive in a stable, caring and secure environment for living and learning during term time, with pastoral and academic support provided during school holidays. Our pupils:

• are happy, confident and resilient
• broaden their horizons and raise their aspirations
• improve their social skills and make new friends
• improve their academic performance
• enhance their prospects of further education and fulfilling jobs
• raise aspirations among their families and home communities by sharing their experience.

How do we know that we are making a difference

We know that our work transforms lives for the better. We talk to our pupils, our partners and schools to find out about the effect of our work.

The impact of our work is also independently evaluated by the National Foundation for Education Research. Its second interim Evaluation Report was published in October 2015. Click here to read it. Key findings include:

• The findings to date from the two-year impact assessment are overwhelmingly positive. Pupils and staff have reported a wide range of positive impacts as a result of pupils moving to boarding schools, and remarkably few negative consequences.
• Effective working relationships have been developed between the partner organisations, original and member schools, pupils and families/carers, which has enabled pupils to settle quickly in their new school. The unique and comprehensive network of support that the SpringBoard model provides appears to be central to its success.
• A range of impacts have been realised for pupils including: improved academic progress and attainment; raised aspirations, broadened horizons and enhanced future prospects; improved communication and social skills and increased awareness of social diversity; increased confidence, independence and resilience; and the development of extra-curricular interests and abilities. Many of the above impacts have been achieved as a result of pupils benefitting from a stable and secure school environment.
• Staff have also benefited in terms of, for example: the development of knowledge and skills as a tutor and key worker; personal satisfaction; increased collaboration; and improved communication and skills in working with parents. Furthermore, impacts are beginning to be seen in SpringBoard pupils’ home communities where they are acting as positive role models and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.

Click here to read the first interim Evaluation Report.

We continue to measure the impact of our work on:

• our pupils
• the home communities of our pupils
• the boarding school communities our pupils join
• society.

We work with multiple control groups and other agencies to assess the impact of our work, during the timespan of our pupils’ school careers and beyond into tertiary education and employment. Results and analysis are published as available.