A pioneering BW3 project harnessing the power of young people to support each other through the transition to secondary school has been hailed a major success — with a Government Minister calling the scheme “brilliant” and “delightful”.
BW3, the business-led charity that connects Wythenshawe employers with local schools, launched the Peer Power Hub earlier this year in response to a call for action to help tackle low attendance rates across the area. Schools and the City Council identified the jump from primary to secondary as a critical point at which some pupils disengage — and may stop turning up.
To help overcome this, BW3 designed a new six-month mentoring programme linking Year 6 pupils with Year 10 students from a neighbouring high school, supporting them before, during and after their move to Year 7.
Now, following overwhelmingly positive results, the Peer Power Hub is set to be expanded to more schools in 2026.
A community-led solution to attendance challenges
The pilot, coordinated by BW3 member Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG), saw pupils from Newall Green Primary School paired with mentors from St Paul’s RC High School. The groups met regularly from May onwards, taking part in workshops on teamwork, communication, resilience and preparation for starting secondary school.
The relationship didn’t stop at the end of term — pupils continued connecting over summer as part of a structured series of activities designed to maintain confidence and continuity.
This term, the programme culminated in a “workplace safari” at Manchester Airport, giving both primary and secondary students the chance to explore real-world careers and see what their futures could look like if they stay engaged with education.
Minister praises “community coming together”
Olivia Bailey, Minister for Early Education, applauded the pilot, saying:
“We are making progress to tackle absence through our Plan for Change, and have seen the biggest improvements in a decade.
I’m delighted to see the community coming together using peer support to inspire children to attend and enjoy school.”
Cllr Julie Reid, Executive Member for Early Years, Children and Young People at Manchester City Council, also endorsed the initiative:
“This is a brilliant scheme that has paid dividends all round — smoothing the transition for younger pupils, giving older pupils mentoring experience, and introducing students to the world of work.”
Real impact: improved confidence, smoother transitions — and stronger attendance
Feedback from both schools involved has been overwhelmingly positive, with clear signs that pupils felt more prepared and confident when starting secondary school. St Paul’s RC High School, which welcomed the participating pupils into Year 7 this September, has reported strong engagement from the former Newall Green Primary cohort as they settled into their new routines.
Sarah Rudd, Executive Head of Newall Green Primary, said:
“The transition mentoring programme has had an exceptional impact on our pupils. Secondary students have acted as positive role models, inspiring confidence in our Year Six learners.
Pupils told us they felt more reassured and excited to start secondary school because they already ‘knew’ someone there.”
Michael Whiteside, Head of St Paul’s, added:
“The Peer Power Hub was a great success. The relationships built before the summer holidays meant that when the pupils joined us in September, they arrived confident, familiar with our school, and ready to engage. We saw excellent levels of enthusiasm and participation as they settled into Year 7.”
Businesses backing young people
BW3 Chair Adam Jupp praised the collaboration between schools, businesses and young people:
“Everything we do is built on the belief that every young person deserves the chance to reach their full potential.
Projects like this show what’s possible when schools and businesses come together. My thanks go to everyone who made the pilot a success — and I look forward to seeing it benefit many more young people.”
Samantha Munder, Neighbourhood Youth Manager at WCHG, reflected on the transformational effect:
“Peer Power Hub has been a game-changer. It reduced anxiety, built confidence and turned fears into excitement. And it developed leadership and empathy skills in the Year 10 mentors too.”
The Peer Power Hub is one of several BW3 initiatives designed to inspire young people about future careers, break down barriers and create new opportunities – from reading mentoring to workplace-based challenges that bring learning to life.
BW3 will release further details on the 2026 expansion of the Peer Power Hub in the coming months.