Employees needed to help bring learning to life
Posted on 10 May 2011
Led by employee-volunteering charity York Cares, York Children’s University brings together York employers, the University of York and local schools. It supports children aged seven to 14, particularly those from disadvantaged areas, to learn through extra-curricular and out-of-hours activities delivered by employee and University student volunteers.
A special taster week from 23 to 27 May in York primary schools will give potential volunteers from the world of business a real insight into what it is like working with young children in the city.
Nearly 40 employees from businesses ranging from Coalters Estate Agents, Miller Construction Ltd, Tesco, York Marriott, The Press and York Teaching Hospital have already signed up to attend – but more are still needed.
During the taster event, volunteers will work in teams of three to deliver a one-hour lunchtime lesson to Year 4, 5 or 6 pupils at ten primary schools including Osbaldwick, Tang Hall, Westfield, Carr Juniors, Haxby Road and St Pauls.
Launched in March, York Children’s University is building on the work of York Cares Kids College which since 2009 has helped bring learning to life for hundreds of children through activities such as announcing trains at Harrogate Station, “Come Dine with Me” events and dissecting fast food meals.
John Lister, Finance Director for Aviva Life Business UK and Chairman of York Cares, said: “Employee volunteers are frequently able to bring learning to life for children switched off by traditional classroom methods. By demonstrating how school relates to the world of work, they can give children a sense of purpose and direction, showing them the future opportunities education can open up for them.”
One of the new business members to sign up this year is Network Rail. During the taster week employee volunteers will be trialling ideas for a new module on Tracks and Trains, giving children chance to act as signal men and women at St Pauls Primary.
Taster sessions last year saw children carrying out finger printing with North Yorkshire Police, learning about life at York Racecourse with the aid of mechanical horses and making smoothies with York Marriott Hotel chefs. University of York employees carried out team building activities involving spaghetti and marshmallows which also proved a hit with children.
Tracey Ralph, Head teacher of Westfield Primary School, said: “This is our first project with York Cares and the children are really excited about meeting people from business and finding out what they do. They have so many questions to ask!”
The Children’s University is a national scheme which celebrates the achievements of children through a certificated programme and graduations. Each child receives a Children’s University passport to record their learning hours which count towards an award.
Following the taster week, York Children’s University will be recruiting employers and employee volunteers to work alongside University of York student volunteers on current and new modules. These will be themed around Law and Justice, Food and Hospitality, Science of Food, Travel and Transport, Media, Finance in Schools, Construction, Retail and Leisure and Right to Read.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the taster week can contact the York Cares team on info@yorkcares.co.uk or 01904 323482.
Notes to editors:
- Schools taking part in the taster week are Carr Junior, Haxby Road, Osbaldwick, Park Grove, Poppleton Road, St Lawrence’s, St Pauls, Westfield, Woodthorpe and Yearsley Grove.
- The Children’s University is a national UK-wide organisation which focuses on rewarding participation, raising aspirations and encouraging engagement with learning. For further information visit www.childrensuniversity.co.uk
- York Cares is an independent charity, founded by the University of York, Aviva, City of York Council and local employers in 2005, which runs an employee volunteering programme. It established York Cares Kids College in 2009 as a pilot to test the feasibility of joining the National Children’s University programme. More information at www.yorkcares.co.uk.
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