IGCSE English 0500: Directed Writing. Survey Findings into a Formal Report

The Student Council surveyed 150 students about introducing a "Peer Mentoring" scheme, in which Year 12 volunteers would support Year 7 students. The findings were recorded as follows.

Survey findings:

82% of Year 7 respondents said they would feel more confident asking an older student for help than a teacher.
Three other local schools already run similar schemes; two of them reported fewer Year 7 students visiting the school nurse with anxiety-related concerns since starting.
A trial last term, pairing 10 Year 12 volunteers with 10 Year 7 students, received entirely positive feedback from both groups.
Some teachers raised a concern that mentors might miss lessons if meetings are scheduled during class time.
The estimated cost is minimal, since training would be run by the school counsellor with no additional budget needed.

You are a member of the Student Council. Using at least FOUR ideas from the findings above, write the opening of a FORMAL REPORT to the Headteacher recommending that the school introduce a Peer Mentoring scheme. Include a title/heading and at least one sub-heading, and write about 100–130 words. [10]

Assessment focus

This question tests directed writing at a higher level of demand: selecting and synthesising evidence from several findings (not just the most positive ones), organising it using the conventions of a formal report (title, sub-headings, objective tone), and sustaining a register suited to informing and persuading a senior member of staff, distinct from the more emotive, direct-address register of a speech.

Mark scheme (10 marks)

Report conventions (2 marks): includes a relevant title and at least one sub-heading; reads as a structured document, not continuous prose.
Register (2 marks): stays formal and objective throughout, third person or measured first-plural (“this report recommends”), no slang or emotive appeals, no informal contractions.
Use of source ideas (4 marks): accurately and relevantly integrates at least four findings as evidence supporting the recommendation, rather than listing them unconnected; a genuinely strong response briefly acknowledges the teachers’ concern to sound balanced and credible.
Organisation (2 marks): paragraphs are developed and logically sequenced (purpose, then evidence, moving toward a recommendation), not a bullet-point list dressed up as prose.

Model opening (118 words)

Report on the Introduction of a Peer Mentoring Scheme

1. Purpose This report recommends that the school introduce a Peer Mentoring scheme, pairing Year 12 volunteers with Year 7 students, and summarises the evidence gathered by the Student Council in support of this proposal.

2. Findings A survey of 150 students found that 82% of Year 7 respondents would feel more confident approaching an older student than a teacher for support. This is consistent with the experience of three neighbouring schools already running similar schemes, two of which reported fewer Year 7 students visiting the school nurse with anxiety-related concerns. A small-scale trial last term, pairing ten volunteers with ten Year 7 students, received entirely positive feedback from both groups, suggesting the scheme would be well received if introduced more widely.

Why this works

The title and numbered sub-headings (“Purpose”, “Findings”) establish report conventions immediately; the register stays formal throughout (no first-person opinion, no contractions); and four distinct findings are woven into connected sentences rather than listed, building an evidence-based case rather than simply repeating the notes.

Common pitfalls specific to this task

Opening with “I think Peer Mentoring is a great idea because…”. This is a letter or speech register, not the objective voice a report requires.
Citing the 82% figure with no explanation of what it demonstrates (that younger students would value the scheme).