'Teens & Toddlers' at Edgar Wood Academy

Edgar Wood Academy students make a difference through mentoring with 'Teens & Toddlers'

Students from Edgar Wood Academy piloted a really special 14-week mentoring project - 'Teens & Toddlers' -, working alongside Power2 and a local Early Years setting. The programme brought teenagers and pre-school children together, creating positive relationships that made a real difference for everyone involved.

At the start of the project, some of the young people were struggling with low school attendance and challenges that were beginning to affect their confidence and engagement with education. Through weekly sessions in the Early Years setting, they were given the chance to step into a mentoring role, build trust, and become positive role models for younger children.

Over the weeks, the changes were incredible to see. The teenagers grew in confidence, commitment, and self-belief - helping them to re-engage in lessons at school and improve attendance significantly, while the pre-school children quickly formed strong bonds with their teen mentoring ‘buddies’. The sessions were full of connection, care, and shared learning, showing just how powerful supportive relationships can be.

The project, filmed as part of a BBC short in September 2025, celebrates what can happen when schools and community partners work together to support young people and help them see their own potential. Following the success of the programme, Edgar Wood Academy and Power2 will be running a second ‘Teens & Toddlers’ session after February half-term, with the aim of supporting even more young people through this impactful initiative.

Watch the BBC short film here: