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Sixth formers at the High School of Glasgow  Picture: Martin Shields
Sixth formers at the High School of GlasgowMartin Shields

High School sixth formers to tutor local children

Young people in Maryhill will get help with reading and maths

Sixth form pupils at The High School of Glasgow are to help children in Maryhill with their reading and maths as part of a volunteer programme.

The students will help children with their homework and provide positive role models in an informal setting away from the classroom.

The leadership programme for senior pupils is run by the Volunteer Tutors Organisation (VTO) which provides the tutoring sessions at local learning hubs.

Following training from the VTO, each week 17 sixth form pupils will meet for an hour to assist local children.

The idea is that they help the young people to overcome problem areas and aspects of the curriculum they might be struggling with.

'Powerful'

Barbara Oliver, head of service at the Volunteer Tutors Organisation, said: “Education is the most powerful way of improving people’s lives.

The leadership programme for senior pupils is run by the Volunteer Tutors Organisation (VTO)
The leadership programme for senior pupils is run by the Volunteer Tutors Organisation (VTO)

“We believe that all children should have access to educational support, irrespective of family circumstances.

“One-to-one interaction with a tutor away from the classroom is an effective way to assist education and our Learning Hubs provide structure and individual attention to children.

“Learning from older pupils provides positive role models in a more informal environment which can make asking questions easier.

“The relatively informal, but dedicated individual support provided by the VTO via our Learning Hubs and one-to-one tutoring has been found to be very effective and we’ve seen real success with children developing social skills including confidence, communication, cooperation, problem solving, concentration and patience.”

One-to-one interaction with a tutor away from the classroom is an effective way to assist education and our Learning Hubs provide structure and individual attention to children.

Barbara Oliver

The hubs provide educational support to children and young people who need it most, helping to build confidence and allowing them to fulfil their potential.

Phil Ford, head of sixth form at The High School of Glasgow, said: “The Volunteer Tutors Organisation is a fantastic initiative and gives pupils the chance to experience a career in teaching and working with children.

“There’s nothing more rewarding than helping young people engage with their learning and seeing the moment the penny drops and everything clicks into place and I’m excited that our pupils will experience this.

“Our Sixth Form volunteers have the chance to give something back to the local community while developing new skills, qualities and experiences, which will stand them in good stead for university and beyond.”

“We believe that all children should have access to educational support, irrespective of family circumstances." Photo: Martin Shields
“We believe that all children should have access to educational support, irrespective of family circumstances." Photo: Martin Shields

Barbara added: “The most important thing about the VTO is that you do not need to be an education specialist to get involved.

“The organisation was set up, from the very beginning, to train and support ordinary people who want to do something practical to support children and we warmly welcome pupils of the High School as our newest volunteers.”

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