Gap year teaching asssitant

Curiousoctopus · 2025-07-20T08:23:07+00:00

one of my children was set on going to study at Bath in September but has now found a gap student teaching role in a boarding school which she’s considering (although still ultimately unsure what to do) does anyone have any experience with these roles or could provide any advice on whether or not she should apply

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 20/07/2025 09:26

No but it’s bound to be a good idea to gain work experience before uni, and I’m sure they’ll work harder at uni as a result. It may ensure, if they don’t enjoy it, that the wrong career option isn’t chosen. I’d encourage it.

FreeWillyPorFavor · 20/07/2025 10:06

I only have indirect knowledge as the parent of a boarding child. The Gappies (as they call them) are a huge part of life at her school and seem to have lots of role, from helping in the boarding house, to after school activities.

The kids generally love them but have to be polite and respectful and call them Mr/Ms Smith. A lot of the Gappies as my Dads school are from South Africa/Zimbabwe/Australia and there doesn’t seem to be much mid-year turnover so I guess they’re broadly content even though the school is quite rural.

LaLaLandDreams · 20/07/2025 10:33

My only worry with gap years is that they run the risk of causing your plans to slide away. I would be slightly worried that they’ll stay in the role for longer and not go to uni.

LadyJaneGrey18 · 20/07/2025 10:35

FreeWillyPorFavor · 20/07/2025 10:06

I only have indirect knowledge as the parent of a boarding child. The Gappies (as they call them) are a huge part of life at her school and seem to have lots of role, from helping in the boarding house, to after school activities.

The kids generally love them but have to be polite and respectful and call them Mr/Ms Smith. A lot of the Gappies as my Dads school are from South Africa/Zimbabwe/Australia and there doesn’t seem to be much mid-year turnover so I guess they’re broadly content even though the school is quite rural.

I would agree with that. She will have a lot of fun and it will be good work experience.

Stormroses · 20/07/2025 10:36

I think gap years are brilliant. I really wanted DC to take one but theirs coincided with lockdowns. They can help teens make the adjustment to adult life, learn a bit of resilience and a few skills before setting off for uni.

Original poster

Curiousoctopus · 20/07/2025 11:55

LaLaLandDreams · 20/07/2025 10:33

My only worry with gap years is that they run the risk of causing your plans to slide away. I would be slightly worried that they’ll stay in the role for longer and not go to uni.

I would be concerned about this but if is a fixed one year role and she is still keen to do uni so I don’t think this would be an issue

OP posts:

Aslockton · 20/07/2025 12:38

My DD did this. She worked at a boarding school near Cheltenham as a Gappy looking after 8-11 year olds. She had a great time and was an active part of the school. She was able to use a lot of this experience getting a job at uni (working on reception at a hall of residence) and after uni when applying for grad jobs.

Gappies get 18 weeks off a year, so plenty of opportunity for travel too.

DD's best friend became a gappy after university at a Harrow international school in the far east. Three years later, she is still out there and they are putting her through her PGCE. She has travelled to Japan, China, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Bali and the Philippines both during the holidays and as part of her job.

Original poster

Curiousoctopus · 20/07/2025 12:52

Aslockton · 20/07/2025 12:38

My DD did this. She worked at a boarding school near Cheltenham as a Gappy looking after 8-11 year olds. She had a great time and was an active part of the school. She was able to use a lot of this experience getting a job at uni (working on reception at a hall of residence) and after uni when applying for grad jobs.

Gappies get 18 weeks off a year, so plenty of opportunity for travel too.

DD's best friend became a gappy after university at a Harrow international school in the far east. Three years later, she is still out there and they are putting her through her PGCE. She has travelled to Japan, China, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Bali and the Philippines both during the holidays and as part of her job.

That sounds amazing, the school my daughter is looking at only takes two gappies a year so I’m a bit worried that she might find it a bit lonely did your daughter find this at all?

OP posts:

Fly1ngG1raffe · 20/07/2025 13:04

LaLaLandDreams · 20/07/2025 10:33

My only worry with gap years is that they run the risk of causing your plans to slide away. I would be slightly worried that they’ll stay in the role for longer and not go to uni.

I know loads of people who have taken gap years and not a single one has had their plans derailed by it. Of course the experience might change what her ultimate goal is, and that’s the massive benefit of this sort of gap year.

Aslockton · 20/07/2025 16:46

Curiousoctopus · 20/07/2025 12:52

That sounds amazing, the school my daughter is looking at only takes two gappies a year so I’m a bit worried that she might find it a bit lonely did your daughter find this at all?

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She was too busy to be lonely and was like the older daughter of the house-parents. She had time off to explore the area and could visit friends at nearby universities.

DD's friend was lonely first of all. She was a long way from home and in a remote area. Once term started, she was too busy to be lonely and made plans for days off with other staff/gappies. They would go on road trips and visit the nearby towns.