Jisc Change Agents' Network Conference 2024

Grit Breakthrough Programmes has a long history and demonstrable track record of working with some of the most challenging young people in underserved communities. Their approach is designed to challenge destructive mind-sets, attitudes and beliefs, empowering their participants to make new choices. 

This interactive workshop looks at how Grit applies this approach to working with diverse student bodies in over 40 universities across the UK. 

'I was seeing so many of my students put off learning, disabled by fears and self-theories arising from their backgrounds and life experiences. Learners and educators need support to overcome these self-concepts, the ‘I’m not good enough’ narrative that has students stay isolated in their rooms. This is exactly what Grit does'. 

Sherria Hoskins Provost at the University of Portsmouth

Portsmouth have had first-hand experience of using Grit’s holistic approach to empower students – regardless of their background, ethnicity, gender, educational history – to move past historic limiting patterns and become change agents in their own lives. Portsmouth also commissioned Grit to train staff to use the coaching approach to more effectively support and engage students – particularly those who arrive with the odds stacked against them.

Outline:

• Introduction to the Grit approach and its principles.

• Case study – how has it been used in Portsmouth and what outcomes have been achieved?

• Activity one: participants take part in a collective Grit exercise designed to uncover blind-spots and limiting beliefs and to share challenging experiences

• Participants are introduced to the Grit coaching model and how it empowers staff to take a non-judgemental approach – meeting students where they are regardless of their background, gender or ethnicity

• Activity two: participants take part in a paired exercise in which they use the coaching model framework to create an action step in light of their limiting beliefs or challenges.

• Debrief and close.