Meet the Oppidan Mentoring Awards Winners for 2026
The first award championing mentoring in schools.
At Oppidan, we believe that exceptional mentoring helps young people fulfil their potential. The Oppidan Mentoring Awards celebrates schools that excel in mentoring their students. Our award is an opportunity to shine a light on your school's commitment to building strong, supportive mentoring relationships within your community and fostering student growth.
This year, we were delighted to receive applications from schools across the UK and around the world, each demonstrating outstanding commitment to mentoring. After careful consideration by our judging panel, we are proud to announce the 2026 winners. Each of these schools is helping to create an environment where young people feel seen, heard, and supported, and we are proud to recognise their progress on the journey towards sustainable, impactful mentoring.
Gold Winners
Phoenix Collegiate
Phoenix Collegiate's Sixth Form peer mentoring programme is producing extraordinary results. Across just three months, eight out of nine readers closed their age-related reading gap by between 5 months and 2 years 7 months. Ten out of eleven numeracy pupils reduced the age gap by between 2 months and 2 years 5 months.
The judges were blown away by the depth of evidence, accreditation through the University of Wolverhampton and the impact on mentors themselves: four sixth formers are now aspiring to become teachers. Accelerated progress at its finest.
Millfield School
Millfield School's mentoring runs across multiple strands and reaches deep into the local community. Peer Mentor Psychoeducators deliver PPP and healthy friendship workshops. The Millfield Brilliance Award sees students leading tea dances for elderly residents, volunteering at food banks, visiting schools in Nepal, planting trees and singing at care homes.
The judges praised how the psychoeducation approach complements the prefect scheme, allowing self-esteem, academic growth and empathy to flourish.
Tonbridge School
Tonbridge School's Learning Mentors Programme is a longstanding partnership with Royal Rise Primary School. Year 9 Tonbridge pupils mentor Year 3 and 5 pupils through numeracy activities and drama performances after three weeks of training. The impact data is impressive: 83% of mentors reported increased confidence, broader perspectives and problem-solving skills. 83% of Royal Rise pupils gained confidence and 73% increased motivation.
The judges praised the sustained longevity, robust student voice and whole-school celebration. One initially anxious pupil who refused to participate eventually performed in the final theatre show.
Rugby School Thailand
Rugby School Thailand has built a comprehensive whole-community mentoring initiative encompassing students, staff and parents. With 62 senior school peer mentors, Oppidan peer mentoring, Year 8 'Awesome Assistance', Year 13 Levee leadership mentoring, WalkThru Coaching for staff, RSPTA parent mentors and Korean and Chinese Community Liaisons, the breadth is remarkable. BSO Report: 'Outstanding' across all areas. Top 7% of international schools globally for A Level value-added. Levee feedback has directly led to changes in lunchtimes and the House system.
The judges described it as "extensive, wide ranging and evidence rich."
Haileybury School
Haileybury views mentoring as a lifelong ecosystem. Their Haileybury Connect platform powers a digital mentoring network: the Uni Reps Programme connects pupils with 50+ alumni from 40+ universities for 1:1 digital mentoring, Flash Mentoring lets pupils self-select from an alumni and parent directory and the Haileybury Leaders Programme pairs recent graduates with experienced professionals. From Year 7 every pupil benefits from weekly form tutor guidance and twice-per-half-term 1:1 meetings with coaching-trained personal tutors.
The judges noted extensive evidence of whole-school impact.
Shrewsbury School
Now expanded across all 12 Houses, Shrewsbury School pairs every Year 9 pupil with a Year 13 mentor. This year they've become one of only two independent schools in the UK to deliver the ILM Young Leaders Award. The questionnaire results from across all 12 Houses are striking: 83% of mentees said their mentor gave good advice, 81% have a positive mentor relationship and 89% of mentors cared about their mentee. Strikingly, 73% of mentors said they would have valued this programme themselves as a Year 9.
The judges noted the ILM element as a real showcase of programme progress.
Trinity School, Croydon
130 trained Sixth Form Mentors. Hundreds of pupils supported. 131 mentors active in a single Thursday morning session, reaching 500+ Trinity students. Trinity School operates one of the largest peer mentoring programmes in the country. Year 12s undertake six weeks of training in safeguarding, coaching and resource preparation before stepping into roles. Multiple mentors have adjusted career plans as a result: one switched to human rights law.
The judges praised the programme as "strong, embedded, impactful" with "outstanding pupil voice." As Trinity moves to full co-education by 2027, mentors will be vital in welcoming Year 6 and 7 girls.
Northwood School
Now in its third year, Northwood School's 'Mentoring Mondays' has every Year 12 student contributing across four streams: Holistic, Organisational (SEND-specific), Homework and Form Tutor Support. Detailed tracking sheets, RAG ratings and weekly targets ensure rigour. Mentors are accredited towards a 'Northwood Diploma' supporting UCAS. Students 'graduate' when they reach stability, with fewer detentions, better attendance and a stronger sense of belonging. A nearby trust school has now set up its own programme after observing Northwood's.
The judges noted it is "extensive, embedded, with excellent supporting resources."
Silver Winners
Harrodian School
Harrodian School's pastoral mentoring programme has run for over ten years, with around 120 weekly 1-to-1 meetings. 60 Year 11 pupils apply annually and commit for two years. Reading Buddies has run for an impressive 19 years. Ofsted (Summer 2025) explicitly praised pupil leadership, buddy support and sixth-form role modelling: "Sixth-form students are positive role models for younger pupils."
The judges felt this was very close to gold, with strong qualitative evidence. Outstanding longevity and impact!
Dulwich College
Dulwich College's MentDC programme is an umbrella of six distinct strands supporting pupils from Year 3 to Year 11, with around 160 Upper School mentors. Retention is exceptional: 62 pupils complete two or more programmes, 22 complete three or more. External partnerships include the Southwark Community Education Charity and the South African Thanda Choir for global pen pal connections.
The judges praised the strong feedback systems and impressive longevity. Mentoring prefects "wear their badge with pride." A powerful pupil voice video sealed the recognition.
Alleyn's School
Alleyn's School's two-strand programme reaches every pupil. Student Leaders trained fortnightly in coaching deliver sessions to 474 Middle School and 331 Lower School pupils. The 'All Good Mentors' programme comprises 60+ sixth form volunteers running drop-ins, coaching conversations and a Lower School conversation club. External training has been delivered at Central Foundation Boys School.
The judges highlighted the tiered structure: training the trainers to deliver coaching across age groups. One mentor reflected: "Being an All Good Mentor has allowed me to give back to my community, but also develop confidence in myself."
St Paul's Girls' School
The Jupiter Project is a large-scale music mentoring initiative opening doors to musical tuition for 90-160 primary students across three local schools. SPGS student mentors from Years 8-12 are trained by specialist primary music teachers, with a YouTube channel supporting practice at home. Partnership with St Paul's School now includes male mentors. Impact data: SPGS mentor conscientiousness is 11.3% above national average, mentor numbers have doubled in two years. A partner student summed it up: "Fun, friendly, mentors 10/10. It was amazing." A unique programme giving real community access.
Pembridge Hall School
Pembridge Hall School has deeply embedded mentoring across the whole school. The Oppidan Mentoring Programme runs for Years 5 and 6 on confidence, interview prep and teamwork, alongside Playground Pals, Wednesday Support Groups, the TimeGivers Programme and STEER Tracking for teacher mentoring. Year-on-year improvements in 11+ performance speak volumes. A Year 6 parent reflected: "We are beyond thrilled. She has grown not only in knowledge, but in independence, resilience and curiosity."
The judges praised the variety and whole-school embedment.
St Mary's School, Hampstead
St Mary's School Hampstead spans every age group. The Oppidan Education programme works with Years 5 and 6, complemented by 'Big Sister, Little Sister' cross-year peer mentoring, Student Council advocacy, older pupils supporting Reception reading and the SMOGA alumni network returning to mentor during secondary applications. Detailed written reports are shared between Oppidan, staff and parents. A pupil reflected: "It really helped me think about who I am and how I come across." The judges noted that mentors are "in competition to get the St Mary's days."
Malvern College
Malvern College's mentoring ecosystem encompasses House-based mentoring across 11 Houses, Peer Mentoring/House Buddy System, Independent Listeners (prefects), academic societies, Pupil Thrive wellbeing leadership groups, Leadership Mentoring for prefects and a Life Skills Day with expert mentoring on finance, car maintenance, survival skills, first aid, barista certification and more. External partnerships span IE University, ESE Business School, US sport scholarships, Harvard Model Congress, Model UN and the Old Malvernians alumni network.
The judges noted the programme taps into every stream of school life.
North Birmingham Academy
North Birmingham Academy's 'The Bridge' framework uses live data across attendance, behaviour, safeguarding and academic progress to identify students early. Daily check-ins, 1:1 mentoring, targeted group interventions, Internal Alternative Provision and specialist external mentoring combine in a fluid, responsive structure. Impact is striking: targeted students achieving 95-100% attendance (some +19.86%), zero suspensions during intervention and dramatic positive behaviour points (379 positive vs 15 negative for one student). One student summed it up: "Before, I didn't want to come to school. Now I come in because I've got support."
Saint Felix School, Southwold
Saint Felix School introduced mentoring in September 2024: twice weekly 20-minute sessions for every pupil from Year 7 to Year 13, allocated to experienced staff including the Headteacher. Half-termly creative programmes cover wellbeing, mental health, online safety, school values and fun activities. ISI Inspection (February 2026) explicitly recognised the programme: "Pupils' physical, mental and emotional health are well supported, fostering a deep sense of belonging alongside comprehensive mentoring." A mentee reflected: "I love mentoring, it is such fun and always enjoyable and beneficial."
Cumnor House Sussex
Cumnor House Sussex has placed peer mentoring at the cornerstone of the Year 7 and 8 Kudos curriculum. Pupils apply via written application and interview, with enhanced training delivered by the Director of Pupil Welfare and ELSA using scenario-based learning. Over 25% of the Year 7 cohort took additional training this year. Mentors are deployed in Pre-Prep at breaktimes and lead activities in the 'Cumnor Cabin' wellbeing space. A mentor reflected: "Peer Mentoring has given me the confidence to lead in my own way: through empathy and listening."
The judges loved the excellent video showcasing programme reach.
Kingston Grammar School
Kingston Grammar School's Lower Sixth Peer Mentoring has run for five years, with Sixth Formers supporting Lower School on organisation, study habits and wellbeing. The First Year Buddy System sees a Second Year send a welcome postcard before a new pupil joins, meeting over breakfast in the Autumn term. The Maths Mentors Programme has Lower Sixth meeting weekly with lower year students. Alumni mentor Sixth Form on Oxbridge, Medicine and Engineering applications. Lower Sixth mentoring grew from 15 to 22 participants after positive peer feedback.
The judges described it as "strong, sustained and varied."
Wellington School
Wellington School runs Friday mentoring sessions during tutor time, with targeted 1:1 'walk and talk' sessions tailored to each mentee. The programme uses the Karpman Drama Triangle to help students understand conflict behaviour patterns. Scenario-based workshops led by Heads of House, partnership with Oppidan Education for training and guidance from Alder Barn Therapy on mental health enrich the work. The programme has grown over two years to 164 students. A student reflected: "It's been great to see connections forming between different year groups in a natural way." The judges recognised the strength of programming.
Monkton Combe School
Monkton Combe School operates three mentoring strands: prep school boarders mentored by senior school pupils (every boarder mentored for the first time), Year 13 mentoring Year 9 and Year 11 external mentors for career/A Level thinking. Graydin provides coaching training for staff and formal Year 12 coaching sessions on life beyond Monkton. A prep boarder reflected: "When I joined in Year 7 I was homesick and my mentor helped me through that. My mentor was really special to me." A visitor noted noticeably higher pupil engagement.
E-ACT DSLV Academy
E-ACT DSLV Academy focuses on Year 9 social and personal competencies through partnership with Oppidan Education (Character, Oracy, Readiness workshops + 1:1 sessions), now extended to Year 10. Coachbright partnership has Year 10 students coaching Year 8 in English and Maths, working towards a leadership qualification with a graduation ceremony at a university. Trust-wide data: 85% improved understanding of identity, 75% improved communication, 80% feel more prepared for future challenges. The Headteacher reflected: "This programme has been fantastic for our pupils."
The judges highlighted the strength of the Coachbright element.
Warwick Schools Foundation
Warwick Schools Foundation bridges fee-paying and state schools across its Multi Academy Trust. Sixth Form students from The Kingsley School and King's High School mentor Year 6 pupils at Clapham Terrace Primary School and Westgate Primary School. 77 pupils have engaged with the programme. Each Year 12 mentor is matched with 3-4 Year 6 mentees for 20-minute 1:1 sessions in the primary school setting. Four Westgate pupils will be attending King's High in 2026/27. A Year 6 pupil reflected: "My mentor comes on Fridays and listens to me, together we make a plan."
The judges noted it is closely approaching gold.
King's College International School Bangkok
King's College International School Bangkok operates a three-strand mentoring programme: internal peer mentoring via SALT (Year 12 mentoring Year 9, Year 9 mentoring Year 7), inter-school mentoring with King's College Wimbledon via survey-matched Sixth Formers and Oppidan Education external mentoring. SALT organises, trains and provides materials for internal mentors. Students described Oppidan sessions as "hugely beneficial" for goal-setting.
The judges noted strong evidence of mentoring growing across the whole-school culture.
Dulwich College Seoul
The Dulwich Difference Mentoring Initiative integrates primary and secondary through several strands: SSAEM peer pastoral mentoring, JAL (Korean-speaking Senior Students teaching Korean to teachers), Oppidan IB mentoring and Year 9 mentor training for Year 6 transition. The Pastoral Team facilitates reflective discussions. A Year 12 reflected: "The mentors helped me find my own character. Through these questions, you reflect on what kind of character you have." Featured in Business Korea media.
The judges praised the width, depth and breadth.
Shrewsbury International School Bangkok
Shrewsbury International School Bangkok runs academic reading mentoring by Sixth Formers trained in NFER assessment data, alongside the Oppidan Education programme for Year 9 and 10 (since 2024). Co-constructed with Oppidan and aligned to the Senior Student Profile (Character, Oracy, Readiness), the programme reached 186 Year 9 students in 2025/26 and shaped the journey to IGCSE for over 300 students. Reports go to Unifrog with 1:1 Form Tutor follow-ups. A student reflected: "I have never had anything like this in any other schools before."
Bronze Winners
The Maynard School
The Maynard School has launched an innovative remote academic mentoring programme for Gifted & Talented Year 11 girls from Paignton Academy and Newton Abbot College. Sixth Form mentors deliver 20-minute lessons via Teams on Friday mornings across Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Maths, Further Maths, Business, English and French. The school consulted with the University of Exeter on questionnaire design and evaluation. The early impact data is impressive: 4 of 11 students in the pilot cohort improved by 2 GCSE grades, and 67% reported improved confidence. One mentee with anxiety built a strong relationship enabling dialogue previously not possible. Internal programmes also include Year 11 Science mentoring and 'Chocolate and Chat' pastoral mentoring for Year 7.
St Edward's, Oxford
St Edward's Oxford operates a layered mentoring framework that embeds support across academic, pastoral and co-curricular life. House-based tutor mentoring works alongside structured peer mentoring (Lower Sixth with Shells and Upper Sixth with 4th Form) featuring themed sessions on Monday lunchtimes. Trained Upper Sixth Peer Listeners provide additional support, and community partnerships see pupils acting as mentors to local organisations through extensive service placements. Alumni mentoring and careers guidance enrich the offer with visiting speakers and professionals. Mentoring is described as sustainable, inclusive and reinforced through leadership recognition and service opportunities. Strong foundations for the future!
Wetherby Senior School
Wetherby Senior School has 26 of 45 Year 12 students serving as mentors, supporting all 320 pupils in Years 7-11 via 35-minute morning tutor periods. A full training day with the Deputy Head of Sixth Form covers mentoring techniques, coaching vs mentoring, safeguarding and scenarios, with termly follow-up sessions. Oppidan Education delivered a resilience session that led to a whole-school assembly by mentors. The majority of prefect applicants are current or former mentors. A Year 8 bullying workshop designed by mentors resulted in no further reported cases. A tutor reflected: "He speaks 1-1 with the boys and they absolutely love it. They open up to him about their personal struggles." A mentor-driven culture in the making!
Dartmouth Academy
Dartmouth Academy's mentoring programme is rooted in early intervention and personalised support. KS3 students benefit from weekly 1:1 mentoring sessions covering relationship building, wellbeing monitoring and study habits, while KS4 students have academic mentors matched to their attainment gaps, motivation or subject needs. Individual careers interviews and post-16 progression interviews complete the picture. A rich alumni programme delivers weekly assemblies. A mentee reflected: "It helps having someone to talk to every week who listens and helps me stay on track. My mentor helped me figure out what I want to do after Year 11." Real impact through consistent 1:1 time!
BEK Dongtan
BEK Dongtan in Korea has established a weekly Friday Buddy Programme that groups students across year levels around monthly themes including environmental awareness, collaboration and creativity. Older students naturally take on leadership roles, building responsibility and communication skills, while younger students gain confidence, engagement and English language skills through peer interaction. A pupil reflected: "It's fun to learn with students from different year groups. I feel proud when I help younger students." The programme reflects BEK Dongtan's vision of Confidence, Compassion and Connected. A lovely cross-year approach!
Fulham Prep School
Fulham Prep School's form-based mentoring programme places form teachers as primary mentors with regular 1:1 check-ins, goal-setting cycles and transition mentoring for 11+. Peer mentoring by older pupils sits alongside specialist workshops from wellbeing experts, performance coaches and resilience speakers. Partnerships with children's mental health organisations and a school counsellor add depth. A pupil described feeling "listened to and understood" and "more confident speaking about worries." A parent reflected: "Our child has grown in confidence and independence." Mentoring described as a philosophy underpinning the entire school experience. Strong commitment to whole-child development!
The Fulham Boys School
The Fulham Boys School launched its peer mentoring scheme in September 2024 and it has expanded hugely in just a year and a half. Around 40 Year 12 boys volunteer to buddy Year 8 or Year 9 students, matched by interests or subject strength, meeting weekly during AM form time. Almost half of the current Year 12 cohort has signed up. A Year 8 mentee reflected: "The mentoring programme has helped me to improve my attitude and behaviour in lessons. My favourite thing about it is just being with you." Many Year 12 mentors are now on the student leadership team and cite mentoring in their applications.
E-ACT Heartlands Academy
E-ACT Heartlands Academy partners with Oppidan Education to deliver focused workshops for Year 9 covering Character, Oracy and Readiness, plus 1:1 mentoring with personalised goal-setting. After the initial cohort, the programme was repeated for the second half of the year group (now Year 10), reaching an additional 90 pupils. Trust-wide data shows 85% of students improved their understanding of identity and character, 75% improved their communication skills and 80% feel more prepared for future challenges. A student reflected: "The mentors were absolutely amazing, they really know how to listen and how to give constructive feedback. It honestly really helps you to understand yourself, your goals and your aspirations."
Stay tuned and keep an eye out for next year's application window. Whether you're just beginning your mentoring journey or looking to take an established programme to the next level, we encourage you to apply.
Each school recognised today demonstrates that with commitment, structure, and a genuine focus on student wellbeing, mentoring can transform school culture and student outcomes. We look forward to celebrating even more outstanding mentoring programmes in 2027.