What would you think of this opportunity for your child?

[japaneseknotwood]

I was wondering if you guys could help me out a bit. I'm about to start a masters course and apply for a PGCE. However, my experience with children is a bit lacking. I have done a couple of weeks work experience, one week at a private school and one at a state school.

I have found out that a school local to the university I'll be attending has an A level syllabus very close to what I did in my undergraduate degree and what I will be studying for my masters (and my own personal favourite period). I was thinking it might be a good idea to approach the school and offer my services as a sort of unofficial tutor, possibly 1 - 1, to interested students (and their parents). I would have a CRB check, obviously. I don't have any teaching experience but I have very good subject knowledge and got a first in my BA and a high A on the same A level syllabus that these kids are doing. I will get some teaching experience and they will get some help and a new perspective on their A level work. It would all be on a voluntary basis, although I would be limited on how much I could do because of my masters course, maybe a couple of lessons a week.

So what do you think? Will people be interested? Is it workable?

tia

...

You'll have to approach the school. It's a potential minefield because you probably wouldn't be allowed with students unsupervised in a school where you're not employed even with a CRB. There's an equal opps issue and also potential confusion with your lack of experience, understanding of the curriculum. Now A Levels are modular students are very exams focused and anything that doesn't deal directly with the particular requirements of particular exams may cause problems.

how about advertising your services foc to the students taking the course so they can use you as a tutor outside of school time?

I did think about that, maxpower. Found this website - student tutors. Does it look legit to you?

Or do you think I would be able to sit in on a couple of lessons a week, and possibly help with group work (then the teacher would be there)?

i can't see a problem with you offering yourself as a crb checked unpaid classroom assistant!

I know they are too old to really need one but every little helps, IMHO.

Do bear in mind, however, that 16, 17 and 18 year olds aren't anything like 12, 13 and 14 year olds, and A level students are absolutely NOTHING like reluctant GCSE students.

Maybe they would let me sit in on different age ranges [hopeful]. I have a school in mind, just need to work out the right way to approach them. There also seems to be emphasis on getting kids interested in going to university (although seems there are far too many interested compared to the number of places at the moment) so maybe I could also be helpful with explaining what studying History at university is like and helping with UCAS forms...

You seem to have lots of good advice on your chat-based thread.

I think some of it will also depend on your age; I know younger friends who wanted experience prior to applying for a PGCE didn't have much success with gaining sixth form age experience within a school setting.

I'm 23, so technically old enough to be a teacher if I hadn't pissed away 2 years being a PA been delayed in my educational journey

Iteach in a th fom and have had severla people just graduated call/write/email to ask for 'work experience' and to ome in a shadow, take on small groups of students and maybe do one to one revision etc.

I [and my principle] bit their hands offf!!!!!!! I have 3 such people comin in with me over the next year. I had 3 last year: a 19 year old who helped with setting stuff up (I teach music), went round and gave help to students (me supervising), repairing euqipmetn etc. I had a 22 year old doing similar to what you suggested... though I would say I get nervou about anyone wanting to give 'new pepective on A level work' as often approaches to work, depth bredth etc are specific and there' s little time to deviate.

Sounds excellent for you too though!

Wht subject do you teach and where approx are you....?

Ahhh History.

Great mumblechum! My subject is History, and I'll actually be in Oxford next year (said Cambridge to try and avoid identification!). When I said 'new perspective' I meant within the curriculum, obv, or maybe help with ideas for the self-chosen essay part at A2... I have familiarised myself with the History curriculum for KS3 and 4 and Sixth Form.

So are you planning your experience for after your Masters is finished? (presuming you're doing a 9 month course). Otherwise you would need permission from your tutors.

You could actually do paid work as a tutor- agencies do not require tutors to be qualified teachers, most schools however do (it is a requirement of the DCSF one-to-one tuition programme that only qualified teachers are used).

I helped out at a school every week when I was an undergrad - I think the CSV organised it.

Worth a look perhaps?