Oppidan Education Mentoring Awards 2025

The first award championing mentoring in schools

At Oppidan, we believe that exceptional mentoring helps young people fulfil their potential. With applications going live in January, 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.

What is mentoring?

Mentoring in schools is often the unsung hero behind student success. We know lots of best practice is happening in these key areas, so this award is about celebrating the transformational mentoring happening in schools across the world, whether it’s between students or a trusted adult working with a student.

Mentoring looks different in every setting, it might be structured as a weekly breakfast/lunchtime/afterschool club, or even 1:1 sessions between a trusted adult in protected time within your school calendar.

Academic Allies

Mentors help students tackle tough subjects, conquer homework, exams, interviews, and discover different ways to approach their learning.

Support Squad

School and growing up can be a rollercoaster; mentors are there to help students navigate those ups and downs. They provide a friendly ear and share strategies on handling just about anything that life throws at us.

Personal Growth Guru

Mentors encourage students to dream big and set goals. They help build confidence and teach essential life skills, turning students into future leaders.

Future-Ready Friends

Thinking about future schools, universities, or careers? Mentors often have the inside scoop! They guide students through first applications, scholarships, and even what it takes to land that dream job.

Key information

Nominate the school you work in. Respond to our five key questions about your school’s mentoring offer. We strongly encourage including supporting evidence in your application (video clips, student or parent feedback, examples of the mentoring in action).
Our exciting judging panel will decide if your school is:
Bronze Award: Foundational mentoring programmes
Silver Award: Established mentoring programmes
Gold Award: Exemplary mentoring programmes with diverse opportunities
Further details on these tiers will be coming in January
1. Visibility for your school’s pastoral care through our award logo, framed award for your school and social media posts showcasing your best practice.
2. Exclusive access to Oppidan mentoring resources to enhance your mentoring programmes.
3. Free CPD events and membership to our teacher learning community to further enrich your character development initiatives.
4. Award winner dinner gold award winners will be invited to an exclusive awards dinner.
Our panel of exciting judges will be announced in January.