Unrestricted funding to support the resourcing of the Paradigm Project team, while Joel starts a Masters (360G-zing-118)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, year 7’s faced unprecedented disruption to their education, either through missing learning time, school closures, or reduced engagement through virtual learning. Joel Dunn, founder of Paradigm Project, collected data on students transitioning from year six to year seven, and the teachers working with them, to better understand the impact of COVID-19, and presented his findings through: "Bridge the Gap 2021". Growing out of this report, Paradigm Project is centred around fighting social inequality and unlocking the potential in the lives of disadvantaged young people. They address complex youth issues through proactive and preventative methods at a young age, to disrupt negative cycles at the earliest opportunity. Currently, the team runs two programmes: - "My Next Steps" focuses on the transition of students from primary to secondary school, where students co-produce their student profile (vision, goals and support needs), with follow-up mentoring through the transition to year seven where needed. - "Early Help" is a comprehensive 12 month programme of one-to-one, group mentoring and professional training, delivered with children, young people, and families with indicators of emerging difficulties or additional needs.