Evolve teams up with university to create groundbreaking course

Evolve has taken its innovative Health Mentor training to the next level by teaming up with Newman University in Birmingham to offer a unique and bespoke vocational qualification.

The new Level 4 Short Course for Health Mentors is an innovative and accredited staff training programme, designed to offer bespoke training for Evolve’s team, who are deployed into 120 schools to stimulate active learning and improve the wellbeing of staff and pupils.

Evolve has plans to develop this course even further by offering it on a wider basis to teaching assistants, lunchtime supervisors, sports coaches and other individuals working with children who are looking to enhance their CVs. The ultimate aim is to create a full degree programme for Health Mentors with progression routes into teaching and other careers.

Evolve Managing Director, John Bishop, said: “We are excited to announce this new course and continue our excellent work with Newman University to take our Health Mentor training to the next level. We are proud to pioneer the crucial areas of child health and education by equipping our staff with the right skills and knowledge to improve children’s lives even further.

“This new qualification will provide even more assurance to schools around the country who wish to engage Evolve’s Health Mentors. Using our highly trained staff to support areas of school life that are either not currently provided for or are covered by a number of different staff will lead to improved educational outcomes and deliver cost savings in multiple areas.”

The new course is worth 60 credits towards a degree and has been validated for five years.

Dr Simon Bicknell, Senior Lecturer in Work Related Learning at Newman University said the development of the training programme is part of a very exciting partnership with Evolve.

“This new course development provides an excellent opportunity for the university to work with a dynamic and proactive external partner in enhancing their staff training procedures,” he said.

Students will study three modules focusing on the foundations, practice and development of the Health Mentor role.

A key focus will be training staff to achieve the six Evolve outcomes of physical health, emotional wellbeing, personal development, attendance, behaviour and academic progress.”

For more information about the Health Mentor Training Programme, please contact Ash Burd using ash.burd@evolvesi.com.