Students into Schools programme
Take part in the Students into Schools programme to gain work experience in local primary and secondary schools. Applications for the 2026/27 academic year open on 12 May 2026.
The Students into Schools programme provides University of Leeds students with work experience in schools in Leeds and the surrounding area. Running for over 20 years, thousands of students have benefitted from the programme, developing their knowledge of education and a whole host of professional skills that have acted as a springboard for their future career.
Placements
On placement, you will attend a weekly session at a host school, supporting the teaching and learning of children.
Student placements involve a range of roles, for example:
- working as a classroom assistant
- running interventions for small groups of target students
- utilising your subject knowledge to make learning more engaging
- running a fun and educational afterschool club.
Students from all taught undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes can take part by volunteering alongside their studies, or, depending on the course, may be able to take part through a module for academic credit.
Modules
If your course allows, you can complete a Students into Schools placement for academic credit as part of your degree programme.
The current available modules are:
- MATH2002 Investigations in Mathematics
- CHEM3666 Chemistry into Schools
- PHYS3605 Physics in Schools
- PHAS5600M Advanced Physics in Schools
- GEOG3535 School and Educational Placements
- MODL2001 Linguists into Schools
- MODL3800 Linguists into Schools
- FOAH2020 Towards the Future: Skills in Context
On these modules you will be assessed on how you reflect on your experience in school and what it has taught you about the teaching and learning of your degree subject.
If you are unsure whether Students into Schools is an option on your course, contact the named module leader.
Students into Schools modules are not available through normal online enrolment – you will need to complete an application on MyCareer.
Benefits
There are lots of benefits to taking a students into schools placement:
- Training in how to safeguard children
- Experience of working closely with children and staff in an educational environment
- Developing skills in time management, managing competing responsibilities, effective team working and communication
- Helping you make an informed decision about a career in teaching – Students into Schools works with initial teacher training providers
- Financial support – the programme pays for your DBS check and your travel to and from school
- Enhancing young people’s education in communities that need it most.
How to apply
Applications for 2026-27 open on 12 May 2026. Apply now on MyCareer.
To apply, you will need to:
- Complete the application form, demonstrating why you are a suitable candidate
- Provide the details of two suitable referees
- Source a suitable DBS check.
You will be sent more detailed information once you have submitted an application.
If you need help with your application, email the Students into Schools team at sis@leeds.ac.uk.
I started volunteering because I wanted to gain experience with children, as I’m aspiring to work with them in the future.
Workshops
Does your student society or sports clubs want to have a positive impact in the local community? Are you an individual with a passion for sustainability?
Students into Schools will support you to plan a workshop or series of activities to run in a local primary, secondary or sixth form.
Here are some examples of activities delivered in previous years:
- Surf Soc – taught children about the importance of keeping our rivers and beaches clean
- Sustainability students – delivered workshops on climate and the environment
- Girls Training Together – ran fitness and dance sessions with girls from years five and six, helping them build confidence.
- Women’s Rugby Union – Introduced year 6 girls to rugby.
- Nutritank – taught primary school children about healthy eating.
- Law Soc – delivered seminars with sixth formers, introducing them to key concepts and inspiring the next generation of lawyers.
- Cutting Edge – spoke to sixth formers about applying for medicine and showed them how to use suturing kits.
- Leeds Student Radio – spoke to college students and broadcast them on the radio.
Being able to offer help to non-university students and connect with them in a fun way was really great.
Contact us
To find out more about Students into Schools, email the Students into Schools team at sis@leeds.ac.uk. You can also find out more about Students into Schools on MyCareer.