Each year since 1994, some Year 10 pupils have taken part in the Hartismere Achievement Scheme with local industry supporting the scheme by providing mentors for the pupils.

The pupils work towards a set of goals which are agreed with employers and which encourage attitudes and qualities which will lead to success in the workplace. The focus of the scheme is the pairing of pupils with mentors from local industry. Pupils meet with their mentor regularly both at school and at the work place; the frequency and duration of the meetings varies according to individual needs. Typically there are three meetings per term, each lasting about an hour. At these meetings, the mentor acts as a professional "friend" discussing any problems relating to the pupil's work, helping them to draw up individual action plans and simulating interview situations providing opportunities for work shadowing.

Pupils who have successfully completed the scheme acknowledge that it has helped their confidence in that they feel more comfortable in meeting and talking to adults. Many of them felt that the structure of the scheme helped them to focus on deadlines and to work harder throughout their final GCSE year. They also benefited from being part of a select group and from the interest shown in the scheme from people outside school, e.g. articles in the school newsletter and other publications, and from participation in a local radio programme.

The mentors, on the other hand, find it an interesting and rewarding experience - several have commented that they have learned a lot about themselves in the process, not to mention the insight it has given them into how education works today, and in how to approach young people.