Students into Schools

The Students into Schools programme provides students with work experience in local schools.

Applications open 14th May – Apply here!

 

The programme aims to:

  • Provide impactful support to the work of schools across the city

  • Give students an insight into teaching and working with children 

  • Provide students with the opportunity to develop new professional skills 

Since the scheme was launched, more than 6,000 students have benefitted from the programme. 

We work with selected local primary and secondary schools who are excited to welcome students to their community and have you contribute to their educational activities. You will be supported and supervised throughout your time in school.

Students into Schools runs through three strands:

  • Students into Schools Modules
  • Students into Schools Volunteering
  • Societies into Schools – in partnership with LUU and Leeds Sport

Modules

You can complete a Students into Schools placement for academic credit as part of your degree programme. The current available modules are: 

If you are unsure, contact the named module leader to check that this module is an option on your degree programme.

Please also note that Students into Schools modules are not available through normal online enrolment – you will need to complete an application on MyCareer (see below).  

What does it involve? 

You will complete 25-40 hours in school between November and April, supporting the work of teachers by: 

  • Working as a classroom assistant 
  • Supporting small groups of target students 
  • Utilising your subject knowledge and enthusiasm to make learning more engaging 

You will be assessed on how your reflect on your experience in school and what it has taught you about the teaching and learning of your degree subject.

Volunteering

Volunteering with Students into Schools is a great way to boost your CV whilst giving back to the local community in a really impactful way. 

Volunteers sign up to a weekly morning or afternoon session in a primary or secondary school for a minimum of 30 hours from October 2024. There are lots of different ways that you can spend your time volunteering in school, for example:

  • Classroom support as a teaching assistant
  • Supporting children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)
  • Supporting children learning English (EAL)
  • Running a fun and educational afterschool club
  • Supporting a primary school reading scheme
  • Mentoring pupils in small groups or 1-to-1

If you have a specific skill or passion that you would like to share then make sure to let us know in your application. There are volunteering opportunities available based in both primary and secondary schools. 

What will you gain through taking part in the programme? 

  • Training in how to safeguard children. This will ensure that you can adhere to professional expectations in an educational environment.
  • Experience working closely with children and staff in an educational environment. 
  • Skills –Time management, managing competing responsibilities, effective team working, communication - Through the programme you will develop a whole host of skills and be supported reflect on them.
  • Careers Support – Students into Schools works with initial teacher training (ITT)  providers to help you make an informed decision about a career in teaching. The programme is a big tick on your CV! 
  • Financial support – We pay for your DBS check and your travel to and from school. 
  • Give back to the local community by enhancing young people’s education in communities that need it most. It is also a great way of seeing new parts of the city and region outside of the student bubble! 

Past student reflections:

"Seeing the pride the pupils felt when they understood something they previously found challenging was so rewarding!" Jade Ward, Theology and Religious Studies module student at Woodkirk School 

"Taking part helped me to gain a place on a Schools Direct PGCE. Teachers had a wealth of experience and were able to offer me advice and feedback. In the interview, I was able to relax as the classroom environment felt normal" Emily Gavaghan, volunteer at The Co-operative Academy of Leeds 

How do you apply? 

Applications for 2024-25 module and volunteering placements will open on MyCareer on 14th May.

  • Follow this link and select the relevant opportunity

You will need to: 

  • Complete the application form, demonstrating why you are a suitable candidate 
  • Provide the details of two suitable referees 
  • Source the relevant documentation to pass a DBS check. 

The final deadline for applications, references, and DBS document check and registration is 21st June 2024.

The Students into Schools Team will be on hand to support you through this process. 

Applications will be assessed over the summer, and final confirmation of a place on the programme will be provided at the beginning of academic year 2024-25.

 

Societies into Schools

The Societies into Schools programme is a great way to make your LUU society have an impact in the local community, teach your society memebers new skills and have a lot of fun working with young people.

Societies plan a workshop or series of activities to run in a local Primary, Secondary or Sixth Form.

2023-24 saw a huge range of exciting projects. Here are some examples of the kind of activities your socety could run:

  • Girls Training Together ran fitness and dance sessions with girls from year 5 and 6, helping them to build confidence and have fun along the way.
  • SASHA ran introductory workshops on consent 
  • Nutritank ran ‘Nutrition 4 Youngsters’, teaching primary school children about health eating
  • Law Soc ran 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.

If you would like to talk about how your society can get involved then please email us at sis@leeds.ac.uk.

 

Contacts 

To find out more about Students into Schools you email us at sis@leeds.ac.uk.