The SMILE Project
“T is so enthusiastic about SMILE, it’s like a light has suddenly been switched on.” (parent)
St. Mark’s V. A. School is a primary school site with 137 pupils currently on roll. 36.5% of the pupils are in receipt of Special Educational Needs support and Free School Meals is currently at 35%. The area of Merlins Bridge is an area of high unemployment and has few facilities to offer families by way of support.
During the last four years, St. Mark’s has led the SMILE (St. Mark’s Improving Literacy and Emotional Wellbeing) Project funded by RAISE. The project is led by our SMILE Keyworker and targets disadvantaged pupils in Year 2 and Year 6 who may not reach Level 2 or Level 4 without targeted support. The Keyworker works alongside pupils on a withdrawal basis but in close consultation with the class teachers. Her timetable also targets pupils who may be at risk of exclusion by providing pastoral care based on nurturing principles. The project has proven to be very successful and will continue now that RAISE funding has ceased.
The SMILE project
“T is so enthusiastic about SMILE, it’s like a light has suddenly been switched on.” (parent)St. Mark’s V. A. School is a primary school site with 137 pupils currently on roll. 36.5% of the pupils are in receipt of Special Educational Needs support and Free School Meals is currently at 35%. The area of Merlins Bridge is an area of high unemployment and has few facilities to offer families by way of support.
During the last four years, St. Mark’s has led the SMILE (St. Mark’s Improving Literacy and Emotional Wellbeing) Project funded by RAISE. The project is led by our SMILE Keyworker and targets disadvantaged pupils in Year 2 and Year 6 who may not reach Level 2 or Level 4 without targeted support. The Keyworker works alongside pupils on a withdrawal basis but in close consultation with the class teachers. Her timetable also targets pupils who may be at risk of exclusion by providing pastoral care based on nurturing principles. The project has proven to be very successful and will continue now that RAISE funding has ceased.
The SMILE project