York Students in Schools
Classroom Assistants
You will assist teachers with various classroom activities, helping to support pupils and encourage learning. This could be with a specific subject, one to one assistance with reading, supporting a pupil with special educational needs or just an extra pair of hands to help.
Speech, Language and Communication Assistants
Receive training from City of York Council Speech and Language Therapists on conducting WellComm assessments.
On placement, you'll work with individual pupils to conduct assessments and provide support based on the children's needs.
Language Support Assistants
If you speak another language, you can contribute by offering translation support or sharing your cultural background through classroom activities. Sign up for our Language Support Register to receive opportunities throughout the year.
Maths Excellence Club Coaches
Join the York Mathematical Excellence Club (y = mx + c) and engage talented young people from across the city in exciting and interactive extracurricular maths workshops. Working with Year 8 and Year 9 pupils, you'll tackle challenging maths problems beyond the curriculum, such as encryption and fallacies, up to A Level standard. The club is looking for volunteers with a love and strong knowledge of maths to help coach these budding mathematicians at evening events held throughout the academic year at the University.
Transition Support Mentor
As a mentor, provide one-on-one support to pupils who are either transitioning from primary to secondary school or preparing to start their GCSE studies. Your role will involve boosting their confidence and increasing their engagement with school.
Block Placement Assistants
These full-time placements are available at the start of the Summer vacation. They provide an excellent opportunity to observe diverse teaching styles and age groups, with the potential to teach a lesson in the second week if appropriate. Block placements are ideal if you're considering a future career in teaching.
Before applying
Before applying please be aware that:
- All placement offers are subject to safeguarding checks. You will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS check and provide us with two references.
- If you have lived abroad for three or more months, in the last five years, you will also need to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct from the relevant country(ies).
- Bus tickets are provided for travel to placements not within walking distance of the University of York.
- If you have a disability or long-term health condition that makes it difficult for you to access volunteering opportunities, please contact us to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would help you. Just send us an email at volunteering
@york.ac.uk.
See our current YSIS opportunities
What to Expect
Timeline
Our 10-week placements (Classroom Assistant and Speech and Language Assistant) follow the structure below. For our shorter placements (such as Extracurricular Club Support) the timings will be different, but the order will be the same.
What to Expect
Before you start your placement, you’ll attend an in-person training session. This will give you useful details about your role, practical tips for getting the most from your placement, and important safeguarding guidance.
Once your training is complete, you’ll have an Initial (Induction) Visit at your placement. This will give the school or nursery a chance to introduce you to how they work, outline what to expect day to day, and discuss how you can best support them.
Unless otherwise stated, all of our roles are flexible around your availability and you can arrange the time that you attend each week at your Initial Visit.
After your placement you will be invited to a Post-Placement Debrief. This is an opportunity to reflect on your experiences, think about how they could help you when applying for future roles, and consider your next steps.
Support Available
The YSIS team will guide you through your safeguarding checks and remain your main point of contact throughout your placement. If you have any concerns before starting your role, or at any point during it, you can get in touch with us. If you have a disability or any other circumstance that may affect your placement, we’ll work with you to provide an appropriate placement.
You’ll also have a Link Teacher at your school or nursery to support you and answer any questions that you may have.
Student experiences
"Being part of such a valuable project has been immensely rewarding knowing every week I am having a positive impact on these young people". Classroom Assistant volunteer
"I believe completing this placement has allowed me to improve skills such as using my initiative, communication, confidence, time management and working with new people of different ages". Block Placement volunteer