Jon Down Email & Phone Number

When you change your thinking, you can change your world. Here at Grit, our programmes do just that in universities, schools & colleges, and local authorities. In 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 we deliver on 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬. We evidence impact: on retention and continuation, on engagement and academic achievement.Over 15 years, in 50+ institutions, we have supported student experience and student success agendas: generating belonging, self-efficacy, aspiration and expectation. We deliver programmes for 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫 as part of efforts around the Awarding Gap and Race Equality Charters. We work with staff on the most effective ways to engage and support students - from Personal Tutors to student support staff.We work with young people transitioning to university and as part of induction programmes, supporting universities with their ‘raising aspiration’ and access work with local schools.In 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 we work from Year 9 to Year 13 - with the most vulnerable students disengaged from education or exhibiting challenging behaviours, and with under-performing students on leadership, engagement and attainment. Over 25 years, in 100s of schools, we’ve seen startling reductions in behavioural incidents, suspensions and exclusions. We see improvements attendance and attainment. With 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 staff teams we impact - Practice: frontline staff get better results from work with families and young people - Staff motivation: attitudes shift. We see a new level of connection and trust across teams - Culture: new ways of thinking, new solutions and new possibilities become available Contact me at 𝐣𝐨𝐧@𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭.𝐨𝐫𝐠.𝐮𝐤 if you'd like a chat about the different ways Grit could support your organisation.

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  Director Of Development

  Grit: Breakthrough Programmes

  Jun 2010 - Present