How do you turn school struggles into success stories? The December 2025 Wirral Virtual School Impact Report reveals how a dedicated health mentor and a focus on wellbeing are already exceeding targets for 28 students across the region.
The interim report, representing a collaboration between Wirral Virtual School and Evolve, showcases the progress of a mentoring program designed to support vulnerable pupils. By December 2025, the initiative had delivered 336 sessions across six schools (three primary and three secondary), engaging mentees in over 3,000 mentoring questions and hundreds of “check-ins”. The program operates on a Logic Model which posits that student performance—including attendance and achievement—is directly improved by first developing a student’s wellbeing and mindset.
A Proven Method for Success
Evolve’s approach is grounded in three key research-based practices:
- Relationship Quality: Prioritising trust so mentees feel safe discussing difficult topics.
- Long-Term Mentoring: Providing support over an entire academic year to ensure sustained benefits.
- Multiple Contact Points: Including lunch-time and after-school activities to ensure frequent, effective engagement.
Exceeding Expectations
The report highlights that the program is already hitting its ambitious goals. While the target was a 5% improvement in combined wellbeing by July 2026, the project has already achieved a 5.7% increase as of December 2025.
Specific areas of growth include:
- Physical Activity: A significant 12.86% improvement, rising from one of the lowest-ranked domains at the start of the term.
- Sleep: A 7.7% improvement, an achievement the report notes is typically a “difficult area to target”.
- Emotional Wellbeing: A 4.42% increase, aligning closely with the project’s core objectives.
Real-World Impact: Pupil Stories
Beyond the statistics, the report features several case studies demonstrating personal growth:
- Libby: Initially identified as unmotivated, Libby is now “actively contributing to class discussions” and applying herself in lessons.
- Aston: A Year 7 student who was “extremely quiet” at the start of term, Aston has since “really opened up” and shown a 27% improvement in Self-Efficacy.
- Poppy: Despite early struggles with emotional regulation, Poppy now uses positive affirmations and “greets [her mentor] with excitement” whenever they meet.
Staff and Pupil Feedback
The feedback from the school community is overwhelmingly positive. Gemma Morris, Inclusion Team Lead at BHSA, praised the mentor for building “strong, positive relationships” and adapting to individual student needs. Pupils themselves are seeing the difference; Teddy, a Year 13 student, stated that the sessions have been “majorly beneficial” for his mental health and his confidence regarding his future.
Looking Ahead
As the program moves into 2026, objectives regarding classroom engagement and learning behaviours remain “on track.” With one objective already achieved and the others showing strong momentum, the Wirral Virtual School continues to prove that when you prioritise the child’s wellbeing, academic success follows.
