Six core outcome areas were measured, covering confidence, resilience, motivation, and academic agency.
Key Outcomes
Across the combined Year 9 and 10 cohort, the programme produced statistically significant improvements in three key areas:
• Resilience( dealing with setbacks)
• Academic agency( sense of control over academic outcomes)
• Motivation to do well in studies( the strongest overall effect)
These outcomes align closely with the programme’ s core aims and wider SUN priorities around positive possible selves, soft‐skill development, and re‐engagement with learning.
Year 9 students showed the strongest and most consistent gains, with statistically significant improvements across resilience, academic control, and motivation( Cohen’ s d ≈ 0.3).
Year 10 results were positive but not statistically significant, largely due to smaller sample size and greater variability, though effect sizes suggest meaningful practical change in motivation and confidence.
Qualitative Impact and Student Voice
Qualitative feedback strongly reinforced the survey findings. 67 students provided voluntary written comments, highlighting that the programme was engaging, motivating, and supportive. Students frequently reported feeling:
• More open about their thoughts and emotions
• More confident sharing views
• More motivated about school and their future
• Valued and listened to by facilitators
Interactive activities, real‐life stories, and the facilitators’ relational delivery style were repeatedly cited as key strengths. Schools also reported early signs of impact beyond the workshop itself, with some acting on student feedback generated through the sessions.
Key Learning and Future Development
As a pilot, the programme evolved throughout the year, meaning content varied slightly across cohorts. The evaluation highlighted several priorities for future development:
• The limited 4‐hour delivery model constrains sustained impact without follow‐up