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Classroom volunteers go back to school

YSIS volunteer in a classroom

Students from the University of York will start voluntary placements in York schools in the next few weeks as part of the York Students in Schools scheme (YSIS) based in the Careers Service. Established in 1994, YSIS offers students the opportunity to volunteer as classroom assistants at local schools over a ten-week placement of half a day each week, supporting a range of pupils from nursery to sixth form.

Over 50 York schools are in the scheme and every year YSIS recruits over 700 students with nearly 200 beginning their placement this term. YSIS student Hannah starts at the Joseph Rowntree School on 1 October: “I am really excited,” she says “It will be great to spend time outside the University bubble, with young people and teachers who I wouldn’t normally get the chance to meet.”

Working alongside pupils and teachers at the school has taught me how to approach, encourage and direct others

YSIS student Ahmad

YSIS matches the interests of each student with the requirements of the school, and students support the official curriculum, work with individuals or groups, offer language support, and help out with extra-curricular activities. YSIS student Stuart, who has just graduated, was able to pursue an interest in Special Educational Needs through a placement and later a YSIS Block Placement at All Saints RC School. “Working with SEN pupils is difficult and it does require a lot of patience, but… I found it fascinating to watch pupils develop right before my eyes,” he says. “The YSIS experience is one of the best I’ve ever done. As somebody who didn’t have a lot of work experience, YSIS placements provided me with an insight into working daily in a high pressure environment… I was able to use it to my advantage in a job interview soon after graduating.”

Not only does YSIS give students the opportunity to explore the possibility of training as a teacher, it is an enjoyable and enriching experience in itself, developing useful transferable skills for any career path. YSIS student Ahmad, who aspires to be a Genetic Councillor, says: “Working alongside pupils and teachers at the school has taught me how to approach, encourage and direct others. These helped me acquire skills to be applied to everyday life, both in and outside the workplace.”

YSIS student in a classroom‌It is not only the students who benefit; teachers receive additional and enthusiastic support, and students are able to act as role models and play an important part in widening access by enthusing young people in York about further study. Brenda Elliot, Deputy Head at St Barnabas CE Primary School said: “The scheme provides the opportunities for pupils to work with ‘real people’ from the outside world who bring their experiences with them. It gives the children a chance to shine in front of another adult, which promotes good behaviour and helps the children to be more understanding of others.” A pupil from a local primary school said: “When Laura came into our class I was very excited. It is nice to have an extra student from university to help us.”

Recruitment for YSIS placements in Spring 2013 opens on Monday week 4, 29 October, of the Autumn Term. Interested students can attend an Introduction to YSIS session on Monday week 2, 15 October, 4.15-5.45pm (AEW/003); Wednesday week 3, 24 October, 2.15-3.45pm (V/123); or Monday week 4, 29 October, 4.15-5.45pm (AEW/003). For more information visit www.york.ac.uk/careers/ysis or www.facebook.com/yorkstudentsinschools.

“Do it!” Says Amanda Walls, YSIS Student Manager. “It is so valuable and enjoyable – there is so much you can get out it whether you are interested in teaching or not! Many of the skills I have developed are transferable and I know they will benefit me throughout my life.”

Further information