ACE – A champion for every child
As a school, we are very pleased to be part of a project called ‘ACE Ambition Tutors – a champion for every child’ to support all of our Pupil Premium children and families.
At Northdown we are aware that barriers can sometimes exist between children and school. Via the ACE mentoring scheme we are able to offer one-to-one support to help children navigate any obstacles that could be preventing them from exploring new horizons and raising aspirations.
Our dedicated ACE team will liaise with teachers and parents/carers to support students and offer strategies to overcome any barriers to optimise learning.
Our aim is to build on progress, relationships, learning, confidence, and resilience to help our students thrive.
What is an ACE debate?
Every week, pupils are invited to take part in an ACE debate led by one of our ACE Champions. A question is posed to the group that is linked to local, national or international issues and current affairs. Arguments for and against are heard before a vote is held to see what the general consensus is.
Click here to read some of the debates held so far…
Northdown Small Holding 
Northdown Primary School has been lucky enough to secure a small community grant to improve the raised beds at the end of the KS2 playground. Children from our ACE project have been helping with the installation and maintenance of the new small holding as we aim to go from seed to plate.
Plant — Prosper — Harvest
Check out some of amazing ACE artwork
Click here to check some of the ACE Artwork so far…
From the forest to the ocean, art takes Northdown Primary School’s ACEchampions on a creative journey
A special competition saw the pupils of Northdown express their artistic sides as part of a special art exhibition called ACEartisans. Inspired by one of the school’s ACEchampions, the latest projects took the forest and ocean as their themes and all pupils were invited to submit a piece of art for display.
David Read, the ACE Lead at Northdown explains the concept of the ACE initiative: “The role of the ACEmentor is to be the champion for students who may need help overcoming barriers to school or learning, for students who may find themselves shouldering additional responsibilities or for students who may just need someone to believe in them.”
Although the ACEmentors are there to guide and support, the pupils also play a vital role in the day-to-day running of the ACE project as David outlines: “The ACEchampions will liaise between teachers and parents/carers to ensure that as a team all those who play a part in supporting our students share the barriers and strategies between them to enhance learning and life success.”
The art exhibitions are just one part of the work of the ACEchampions who also facilitate a weekly debate club and are currently cultivating a smallholding at the back of the school thanks to funding from local Councillor Barry Lewis.
Sam Glynn, one of the school’s four ACEmentors at Northdown, details their latest venture, “The Ocean Antic’s art competition was the idea of an ACE child. We worked on it together using his ideas. It was great to see all the artwork as it started to come in. The artwork has helped children feel a sense of pride and ambition and the project is growing and growing.”
The mastermind behind the idea, Christopher (Year 6) enjoyed his role as coordinator, “It improved my confidence. It was hard work but I learned about organising. I found lots of people came up to me to talk about it.”
All the pupils’ hard work paid off with a very successful art exhibition where their families and friends could admire their creations displayed with pride in the school hall.
