Student volunteering programme wins Queen's award
Posted on 24 November 2003
The project, which places over 400 University students a year as teaching assistants in schools throughout York, has run for 10 years and won praise from teachers and pupils alike.
Patrick Scott, Director of Education at the City of York Council nominated the project for the award, saying: "The scheme is distinctive and special: it helps schools and the LEA by actually doing the impossible, giving the teachers another pair of hands. This is the kind of initiative that changes lives."
"YSIS's voluntary service to the community is outstanding," said David Thewlis, Head Teacher at St Lawrence's Primary School. "The children really enjoy the time the student volunteers spend with them."
The award will be presented at a special ceremony in Heslington Hall on the University of York campus by the Lord-Lieutenant for North Yorkshire, Lord Crathorne, on behalf of the Queen.
It will be received by Seema Haria and Carl Fazackerley, two student managers of YSIS. Student managers are experienced YSIS volunteers who help in everything from recruiting and inducting new volunteers, running the database and helping with the website and newsletters. They also provide continuous staffing for the YSIS office.
Also present will be teachers from York schools, project funders, members of the University Court and the YSIS volunteers themselves.
Notes to editors:
- The co-ordinator of YSIS is Lyn Whiting.
- YSIS began in 1994 as 'student tutoring', but it has broadened to include student mentoring, out of hours learning, and other learning support schemes.
- Over 400 University of York students volunteer each year.
- YSIS sponsors include Nestle, the Shepherd Building Group, the York Children's Trust, the City of York Council, CSV and the Minster Fund.
- The YSIS website is at www.york.ac.uk/student/ysis/