Schools Plus

What is Schools Plus?

Schools Plus is a national Student Hubs programme and has been running in Southampton since 2012. It aims to tackle educational disadvantage by sending students into local schools to tutor in teacher-led lessons, or tutor in student-led breakfast/lunch/after school clubs for children in curriculum or non-curriculum areas.

Examples of these two types of placements in action are supporting A Level Biology students at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College in their lessons (teacher-led tutoring), or running a debate club at Swaythling Primary School (student-led club).

Placements

In 2021-22, we worked with our local partner schools to offer a variety of different placements. Examples of placements we have offered include Swaythling Primary School, St Deny’s Primary School, Shirley Junior School, Lordshill Youth Project, Cantell School, Richard Taunton Sixth Form College and City College Southampton.

Our volunteers support with English, Maths, Science, SEN support, reading, debating, mentoring, and much more! All projects take place Monday-Friday between 8:30am-4:30pm and are selected based on preference and availability.

Volunteering commitment

We expect at least one term of volunteering, which typically involves 1-2 hours a week of volunteering for 6 weeks, with an induction before your placement starts. Most volunteers continue into semester two, although you may choose to swap placement to a different school or location in the second semester.

Skills and employability

Communication, teamwork, leadership, adaptability, time management, safeguarding, school liaison, behaviour management, tutoring, academic support, pastoral support and working with external staff are all skills you will gain by taking part in Schools Plus. This volunteering opportunity is excellent for anyone who wants experience working in schools and with young people, or is exploring a career in education/youth work.

Training and support

All of our programmes are supported by students and staff. As part of Schools Plus, you will have sub-committee members, the Schools Plus Coordinator (Weronika Szczepan), and the staff team (Sapthi Santharuban) to speak to.

After submitting your application, you will be invited to an initial selection workshop. If successful at selection, you will then be invited to attend a training workshop. Dates for training will be shared after selection and you will be able to select your preferred workshop that you would like to attend.

The Coordinator and staff team will be leading on your selection workshop, initial training and additional training provision (behaviour management, routes into education etc) throughout your placement, as well as any issues with your school placements. The staff team will also be in touch with you during your placement to get mid-year and end of year feedback, which is required from all volunteers.

Reasonable adjustments

Schools Plus is committed to being an inclusive programme, and encourages all students to get involved. We can make reasonable adjustments to application processes, selection workshops, training sessions, your volunteering placement, and other activities on a case-by-case basis. We also provide ongoing support for the students we work with, so if you have particular accessibility needs, including if you want to disclose a disability or special educational needs, please do get in touch with Sapthi at sapthi@southamptonhub.org and let us know how we can make the activity more accessible.

Volunteering with Schools Plus won't cost you

We reimburse all Southampton Hub volunteers' travel expenses, including bus and car travel, throughout the project. We also cover the cost of your Enhanced DBS check which must be completed and valid in order for you to start volunteering.

DBS Checks

A DBS check a police background check which enables you to work with vulnerable people, including children. Southampton Hub covers the cost of this, so you will not need to pay! All you will need to do is complete an online DBS application form and then meet a member of Hub staff (Sapthi) with 3 different identity documents to prove your identity and current address to complete your DBS application.

You will need to gather your documents by Monday 6th February at the latest, in order to have your DBS check processed in time. If you have any concerns about this, please contact Sapthi at sapthi@southamptonhub.org.

Examples of documents that you can provide are:

• Current valid Passport
• Biometric Residence Permit (UK)
• Current Driving Licence - photo card (UK/ Isle of Man/ Channel Islands) (Full or Provisional)
• Birth Certificate (UK/ Isle of Man/ Channel Islands) (Issued within 12 months of birth)
• Adoption Certificate (UK/ Channel Islands)
• Current Driving Licence – photo card only (not UK/ Isle of Man or Channel Islands)(Full or Provisional)
• Current Driving Licence – pre-1998 paper version (UK / Isle of Man / Channel Islands) (Full or Provisional)
• Birth Certificate (UK / Isle of Man / Channel Islands) (Issued after the time of birth i.e.: +12 months after birth)
• Bank/Building Society Statement (UK / Channel Islands)
• Bank/Building Society Account Opening Confirmation Letter (UK)
• Credit Card Statement (UK) *
• P45/P60 Statement (UK / Channel Islands) **
• Council Tax Statement (UK / Channel Islands) **
• Utility Bill (UK) - Not Mobile Phone *
• EEA National ID Card – must be valid

Key: * - issued in the last 3 months ** - issued in the last 12 months

Why not volunteer with a friend?

Volunteering for Southampton Hub is social and you'll have the chance to meet many like-minded people, but why not ask a friend to sign up with you too?

Questions?

Email Sapthi at sapthi@southamptonhub.org who will be able to answer any questions and direct you to the Schools Plus committee for any further help and support.

You can also check out similar projects, such as Libraries Plus, over on our What's On page.

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