ONSIDE Co-Mentoring: “Breaking down the last vestiges of hierarchy” to promote professional learning, development and well-being

This paper discusses the nature and impact of the introduction of a school-based mentoring scheme that I term ONSIDE Co-Mentoring. Incorporating reverse mentoring into Off-line, Non-judgmental, Supportive, Individualised, Developmental and Empowering (ONSIDE) mentoring relationships that were initially established as uni-directional broke down remaining traces of hierarchy and resulted in stronger, more trusting mentoring relationships. This created a safe space within which teachers could openly discuss and tackle problematical issues which they might otherwise have struggled with alone, which, in turn, enhanced their professional learning, development and wellbeing.