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The Need

The cost of academic failure to our society is well documented by UNICEF, HM Prisons Service and the Department of Education. Failure results in lower social mobility, higher crime, unemployment and a fragmented society. More than 1 million young people (aged 16 to 24) are not in education, employment or training (NEET). That translates into one in seven, increasing by 2% annually. In financial terms, the resulting cost to London is £145 million.

The Method

One Degree is a growing academic mentoring charity that has been improving the GCSE performance and self-belief of students from disadvantaged backgrounds in London since 2009. Our main activity is intensive academic mentoring in English and Maths (including remedial teaching, study skills and exam preparation). Additionally, we contribute to our students’ personal development by offering them life skills training, talks by inspirational speakers and fun sports activities. As part of our holistic approach, we also provide each student with two meals per session.

The Journey

One Degree is a personal and academic journey designed to support, guide and inspire struggling youth. We believe an A-C grade in GCSE Maths and English are the “passports” that will change a student’s life direction. We achieve this in the following ways:

  • Volunteer mentors – Regular and consistent learning and revision leading up to GSCE exams embeds the practice, planning, time-keeping and confidence the students require.
  • Learning through technology – The use of a tablet per student allows fun, modern learning while contributing to significant savings and environmental responsibility.
  • Guest Speakers – Inspirational and motivational speakers help give students direction, ambition and aspiration.
  • Sports – A variation of group activities builds bonds among the students and mentors.
  • Food – Fun, healthy food boosts energy levels and the ability to focus.

Watch the below short film to hear what our pupils say about the One Degree programme:

“One of our pupils was predicted a mid-D grade at the start of One Degree. He achieved a B in English which, considering all the government reforms, is remarkable.”

“As Maths teachers, we noted an increased engagement from the students involved in One Degree. Students who had never before considered themselves as likely candidates for GCSE success now realised that it was within reach.”

“They work in close alignment with the school and offer the boys a structured, fun programme that boosts their exam performance. This year, there was a clear step up from the boys who were involved in 1D as exam season approached. ”

“Of all the charities I have worked with, One Degree makes the most direct and measurable impact”

“My students are now more attentive, considerate and, for the first time, are fully focused in their exams.”

“Mentoring for One Degree is fun and rewarding. An emotional journey seeing what the students go through.”

The Timescales

In-Person sessions: Supported by qualified teachers, mentors work with small groups of students for anything from 10 to 25 sessions per year. Our annual programme includes 5-10 sessions over Autumn (Oct, Nov – when possible) and 10-20 sessions over Winter/Spring (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June). These sessions are on Saturdays.

Online sessions: We offer ad-hoc 1-on-1 mid-week evening and structured group weekend online mentor options for our students. These act as complementary to our in-person sessions as well as in place of for students (and mentors) who cannot join Saturday in-person sessions.

Background & Brief History

One Degree was founded by the late Adnan Jaffery in 2009. Since then we have improved the academic performance and self-belief of hundreds of students from disadvantaged backgrounds in London. The registered charity consists of six trustees, a specialised operations team, high-quality teachers, and volunteers. See our team here.

Read about our story

The Location

One Degree’s target areas include the most deprived areas of London. At the moment, we are currently focusing on Brent, Haringey and Westminster.

North London, in boroughs such as Brent and Haringey for example, are growing communities both in numbers and business. Brent is among the most deprived boroughs in England according to the Child Well-being Index. The percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals is considerably higher than the national average, a factor that the Department for Education’s research links directly to poor GCSE performance. In addition to a shortage of schools, Brent’s schools are failing to deliver a good standard of education. One in ten of its secondary schools are below the minimum standard of 40% GCSEs marked A*-C including English and Maths, compared to less than one in five schools nationally. Brent is also among the most culturally diverse in the UK and a hotspot for immigrants making this borough a prime location for student intervention.

See London breakdown of borough deprivation vs. GCSE scores here.

Get Involved

We are always recruiting for enthusiastic mentors, committed students and schools that would benefit from the One Degree approach.

Mentors Students Support Us Schools

2009 to Present Day

Embracing Change to Maximise Impact
Since its inception in 2009, One Degree has been dedicated to mentoring and empowering students across London. Initially, our approach involved weekend meetings between March and June, focusing on one cohort of students at a time, in a single venue. This intensive program, while effective, was limited in its reach and duration.

Expanding Horizons: 2014 – 2019
From 2014 to 2018, we recognised the need for a longer-term impact. We expanded our program to start anytime from September to November, running through June. This extension allowed us to engage more deeply with students over a more extended period. The goal was simple: provide sustained support and mentorship to maximize our impact on the students’ academic and personal growth.

The Hybrid Transition: 2018 – 2020
In 2018, anticipating the need for flexibility, One Degree began integrating a hybrid model. While in-person sessions remained the core of our program, we complemented them with an online platform. This platform, purpose-built for our needs, offered students access to resources and online courses between in-person sessions. Little did we know that this foresight would become crucial.

Navigating the Pandemic: 2020 – 2021
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, our hybrid model allowed us to pivot swiftly to a fully online format. The transition was seamless, thanks to our existing online infrastructure. However, the shift wasn’t without challenges.

Post-COVID Era: 2021 – 2023
Resuming in-person sessions during the post-COVID era we witnessed a dramatic 60% drop in mentor numbers, likely due to the new work-from-home culture and the reduced presence of professionals in central London.

Funding also took a hit, with reductions in private donations, corporate sponsorships, and grant availability. Schools, adapting to new realities, began running their own intervention programs, further affecting our collaboration dynamics.

With these factors highlighting the need for adaptability, One Degree had to reinvent itself.

The New Era: 2024 and Beyond
Rising costs and the shifting landscape of educational support necessitated a new approach.

Our new model is predominantly online, supplemented by in-person workshops. This reversal—from in-person programs supplemented by online resources to online programs supplemented by in-person interactions—aims to address the economic and logistical challenges we face.