Bring learning to life: using volunteers to connect careers with the classroom Friday, 09 November 2018
Our aim today To support you in delivering impactful lessons, raise aspirations and challenge stereotypes by using volunteers from the working world in their classroom.
About Future First Working with secondary state schools up and down the country Alumni communities Positive impact on students’ life chances, confidence and motivation Thousands of employee volunteers a year
To begin In pairs or small groups, discuss the following statement: “My experience of volunteers in school has always been positive.” - 0-5 Short discussion about participant experiences with using volunteers in the classroom
Destinations & pathways Why engage volunteers? Curriculum Destinations & pathways - 5-10 Participants generate ideas about the benefits of volunteer engagement and complete a Venn Diagram as to how this fits into curriculum learning, pastoral issues, and student pathways Pastoral External drivers
Our impact 79% of students who took part in a co-taught lesson said that they found the lesson ‘more interesting’ or ‘much more interesting’ then typical lessons in that topic. Every single teacher we worked with said that having a volunteer in the lesson added value to the teaching of the topic. "Schools for which the analysis of the assessment data was performed, students who attended (@FutureFirstOrg) sessions made better progress in the core subjects than non-participating peers“ Buckler, N., Coles-Jordan, D., Crisp, P., and Silvera, S. (2015) ‘Future First’s alumni programme: Evaluation report’, Coventry: Centre for the Use of Research and Evidence in Education (CUREE).
How volunteers can help Remote support Speakers, Q&As, workshops Co-teaching Projects Level of planning required - 15-20 Participants generate creative ideas for their own subject/area of responsibility
Your ideas Communications manager Counter-terrorism expert Chef Trim planner at Rolls Royce
Finding volunteers What challenges or concerns would impact on your ability to find and secure volunteer support? - 20-30 Where to find volunteers and how to secure their support
Where to source volunteers Your personal networks Alumni Existing contacts (e.g. parents) Local businesses External organisations
Taking care of your volunteers: Volunteer experience Taking care of your volunteers: Helps them feel at ease Encourages them to take part and share more Makes them want to come back again - 30-40 Participants complete an activity about supporting volunteers and getting the most out of them on the day - 40-45 Future First signposts the resources in the takeaway pack and participants share their next steps
Next steps - 40-45 Future First signposts the resources in the takeaway pack and participants share their next steps
Thank you for taking part – please let us know your thoughts! Feedback Thank you for taking part – please let us know your thoughts!