HKSA Mentorship Programme
Our mentorship programme pairs university and A-Level mentors with A-Level and GCSE mentees, to offer guidance for academic and professional pathways. In two years, we reached 100 students in total.
The core aim of the scheme is to foster a supportive, peer-led environment where mentees can gain insights, guidance, and confidence in shaping their future from peers.
The programme focuses on several key areas, including academic planning, career exploration, CV writing, and personal statement support. Mentors also offer personalised advice to address mentees' individual concerns about subject choices, university applications, and potential career pathways.
Over the summer, we recruited a diverse group of mentors from Year 12–13 and university levels, representing a wide range of academic backgrounds including STEM, Humanities, Social Science and Healthcare. These mentors come from various sixth forms, boarding schools, and universities across the UK, allowing them to provide mentees with well-rounded perspectives and tailored support.
At the launch of the programme in August, we recruited 30+ mentors and mentees respectively. The mentoring period takes place from October to June, through monthly sessions, in small groups or one-to-one formats, depending on the mentee’s preferences and needs. Meetings are held online, ensuring accessibility regardless of geographic location. Mentor-mentee pairings are carefully matched based on shared subject interests and target universities, to ensure relevant and meaningful guidance.
In addition to regular mentoring sessions, mentees are granted exclusive access to academic webinars, university preparation workshops, and other educational events organised by the scheme. Through this initiative, we aim to empower younger students to make informed decisions about their academic futures and feel more confident as they transition into the next stage of their education.
At the same time, the scheme is designed to benefit mentors by offering them the opportunity to develop key transferable skills such as leadership, communication, empathy, and time management. Mentors gain hands-on experience in guiding and supporting others, which enhances their ability to articulate complex ideas, build meaningful connections, and manage responsibilities effectively—skills that are highly valuable in both academic and professional settings. Participation in the programme also strengthens mentors' CVs and personal development, making it a mutually enriching experience for both mentors and mentees.