University on track to send 5000th student volunteer into local schools
Release Date 03 December 2014
This term will see the 5000th student volunteer here at the University of Reading. But what does this actually mean? We take a closer look at the University's Student Tutoring Scheme to find out...
The Student Tutoring Scheme enables volunteers to work at local schools alongside teachers. The aim is to raise the aspirations of pupils in schools and encourage them to continue into higher education.
The scheme has been established for over 20 years, and each year, more than 200 student volunteers visit over 40 local schools, where they make a positive difference to the learning experience of young people. At the same time, the volunteers gain valuable experience in communicating their knowledge and ideas, as well as improving their self-confidence and employment prospects.
Typically, students volunteer for two hours a week for 10 weeks, although many choose to carry on beyond this. Tutors can be undergraduates, postgraduates, from any discipline and often help in subjects outside their area of study such as art, music, sport and general literacy skills. Overseas students often offer invaluable native language support to children whose first language is not English, as well as bringing different cultural perspectives to their classrooms.
Students that have participated in the Scheme have found it to be very rewarding and beneficial:
"I had a lovely school and a teacher who was very grateful and appreciative of what I did. She had clear tasks for me to do each week and took time to explain what she wanted me to do. I felt I gained a lot and the school was also benefitting."
"I volunteered for Student Tutoring in my second year because I really wanted to fill my time at University with more than just lectures and seminars. I think it's really important for students to become productively involved with the local community in order to show that students are willing to get involved, are cooperative and do want to help rather than the lazy stereotype all too readily depicted by the media!"
Pupils in the local schools have also enjoyed having the student tutors alongside them in the classroom:
"My tutor used to help me when the teacher was busy with another person and I understood better. She gave us a lot of attention."
"I enjoyed our talking together. My tutor helped me to prepare for my German oral and improved my pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary."
To mark the 5000th student volunteer, we will be awarding a £30 book token to the 5000th student that registers and completes the scheme. Watch this space for more information on the lucky recipient!
If you are interested in joining the Student Tutoring Scheme this academic year there is still time. Our final training sessions for this year's volunteers will be on December 10th and January 19th, so to be sure you don't miss out, register now here.
If you have any questions, please contact Judy MacDevitt, Student Tutoring Co-ordinator: j.macdevitt@reading.ac.uk