Sixth Formers to Tutor Local Children

Sixth Form pupils are reversing their roles and becoming tutors to children in Maryhill via the Volunteer Tutors Organisation (VTO).

The VTO, a Glasgow based charity, aims to make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people in Scotland who face significant social and economic barriers to their education.

It runs a leadership programme for Senior Pupils, providing volunteer opportunities at local Learning Hubs. 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.

Following training from the VTO, each week, 17 Sixth Form pupils will meet for an hour to assist children with their homework, practise reading and maths and help them to overcome problem areas and aspects of the curriculum they might be struggling with.

Barbara Oliver, Head of Service at the Volunteer Tutors Organisation, said:

Education is the most powerful way of improving people’s lives. 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.”

Phil Ford, Head of Sixth Form, 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.”

Concluding, 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.”