Travel expenses will be reimbursed so long as as you have proof of travel to the school. The journey has to be from your university campus to the school, or from your home address to the school, whichever is closer.
Contact your institution for more details on how to apply.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: If you use public transport to get to your placement, then you must keep all your receipts, plus your attendance sheet, which must be signed by the class teacher each time you attend. OWN TRANSPORT: If you use your own car to drive to the school, your petrol expenses will be reimbursed. We will need your signed attendance sheet as proof of travel. DISCLOSURE SCOTLAND – ENHANCED DISCLOSURE CERTIFICATE It is now mandatory that all adults who work with vulnerable adults and children have an “Enhanced Disclosure Certificate” before they become a student tutor. This certificate shows that you have been checked for criminal convictions and any other relevant information. To obtain this certificate, you need to fill out a Disclosure form which will ask for your previous addresses for the past five years, and you need to provide two forms of identification e.g passport and drivers licence. If you already have a disclosure certificate for other voluntary/paid work that you do this unfortunately only covers you for the specific activity you have been checked for, so you will need to complete another form. BP STUDENT TUTORING FEEDBACK “It was very worthwhile because I gained the much needed teaching experience I required to get into the post graduate teaching course.” “I really thought this was a worthwhile experience - even for those not considering teaching as a career. Even though I’m in my final year with a high level of workload it was great to have an afternoon doing something different. The pupils always gave me a laugh and I didn’t think of university the whole afternoon! It’s a great way of improving interpersonal skills and an eye-opener to a career in teaching.” “The entire scheme is run on a very professional level and everyone involved with the scheme has been extremely helpful in their role.”
For Robert Gordon University Students: Gayle Scott Careers Consultant Careers Centre University Street Garthdee Campus Garthdee Road Aberdeen AB10 7QB Tel: 01224 262110 Email: g.scott@rgu.ac.uk For University of Aberdeen Students: Felicity Keefe Careers Adviser Careers Service University of Aberdeen 2nd Floor The Hub Elphinstone Road Aberdeen AB24 3TU Tel: 01224 273601 Email: f.keefe@abdn.ac.uk For Aberdeen College Students: Joan Bramley Guidance Tutor Hairdressing Learner Services (Room SG29) Aberdeen College Gallowgate Aberdeen AB25 1BN Tel: 01224 612046 Email: j.bramley@abcol.ac.uk The BP Student Tutoring Scheme is supported by BP Plc, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council.
Produced by The Gatehouse - Design and Print Consultancy at RGU • 31967/SMB
OK, I am interested. What next?
BP
Student Tutoring The Robert Gordon University, a Scottish charity registered under charity number SCO13781
EXPENSES
Interested in... Undertaking voluntary work with children from local schools? Doing something worthwhile? Developing confidence? Enhancing your CV?
BP STUDENT TUTORING SCHEME
Do I have to have previous experience of working with children?
What is student tutoring?
Previous experience is not necessary, but enthusiasm and a genuine desire to work with children and young people is essential.
BP Student Tutoring is a voluntary scheme which involves placing students in local primary and secondary schools to work with pupils under the supervision of the classroom teacher. It is sponsored by BP and aims to increase the number of young people who stay on after compulsory education. Locally, the scheme is managed jointly between the Careers Centre at RGU, the Careers Service at the University of Aberdeen and Aberdeen College. It is supported financially by Aberdeen Council, Aberdeenshire Council and BP. Please note that BP Tutoring placements run from November/ December to March/April. You would start your placement after you have received training and completed a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure check. All applicants must attend an advertised Information Session, these will be promoted at your institution in September/October. Students cannot apply without attending one of these sessions. Why do it? Student tell us they have participated in student tutoring for many reasons, including improving their CV, gaining work experience and for fun. Their feedback tells us that they gained confidence, the ability to team work and enhanced skills in communication, presentation and time management from the experience, useful for any future career.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS What do TUTORS actually do in the classroom? Tutors are not there to teach but to help the classroom teacher. The way tutors are used in the classroom varies from school to school: they may work with an individual or group on a specific project or help someone who is having difficulties with the subject. Student tutors can act as positive role models, thereby increasing pupils aspirations and motivation to stay on in education and training.
It is not necessary to do any extra work but you may find it helpful to read over the plan of the lesson beforehand and read up on any part that you are not sure of. All teachers involved have asked for a tutor so you will be made welcome by their class. Depending on the teacher’s preference they may introduce you to the pupils by your first name or by Ms/Mr. If you have a problem while tutoring, approach the classroom teacher first for help. If this does not solve the issue, contact the Link Teacher who is the person who has responsibility for the tutoring scheme in the school as a whole. Will I get any training?
How much time DOES IT TAKE?
There will be a training evening which you must attend to enable you to take part in the scheme. This meeting will give you the opportunity to meet other scheme participants and former tutors will share their experiences. This is your chance to ask questions!
Please think carefully about this before you apply, particularly if you are a final or postgraduate year student as you need to ensure you can adequately balance tutoring with your studies. Allowances of course can be made for any extenuating circumstances which prevent tutors completing the ten weeks such as illness or harsh weather conditions. Student tutors must complete a weekly attendance form which should be signed weekly by the classroom teacher.
Initially we ask you to complete an application form available from each institutional contact. At the Information Session the opportunity to state your placement preferences will be given. Shortly afterwards individual or group interviews will be undertaken to determine your suitability for the scheme, answer any queries you may have and to ask you to complete a Disclosure Scotland form.
Discipline is not your responsibility. The classroom teacher will be present in the room at all times and it is their role to manage the class. At no time should you be left alone with the pupils.
For those who are keen to pursue teacher training, the scheme provides a useful ‘testing the water’ experience and is a worthwhile addition to the personal statement element of the teaching application form.
Tutors spend one morning or one afternoon per week in school for a period of approximately ten weeks beginning November/December. The University asks you to make a commitment for the full ten weeks in order to develop good relations with pupils and school staff.
You don’t need to have any specialist skills or knowledge to tutor at a primary school but it helps if you can specify any particular interests e.g. music, drama, physical activities.
PRIMARY OR SECONDARY SCHOOL? Tutoring places are available in a number of primary and secondary schools in both the City and Aberdeenshire. On the application form you will be asked to choose whether you want to tutor in a primary or secondary school. If you want to tutor at a secondary school, then you can choose what kind of subject you are interested to work in, normally the subject you are currently studying at University. However, if you want to tutor in a different subject, you can do so provided you can prove that you are proficient in it, e.g. music.
RECOGNITION The Scheme culminates in an Annual Awards Ceremony that is hosted by BP at their Dyce Headquarters, Aberdeen. Student tutoring is not formally assessed but every tutor is awarded a Certificate of Participation at the Awards Ceremony as recognition of their efforts.