We have had a request from The Access Project to put out a call for volunteer tutors. The tutors assist children in a number of schools throughout the UK in disadvantaged areas that are taking GCSEs and A-Levels.

The majority of requests from pupils cover STEM subjects but the scheme also covers other subjects including English (Language and Literature), Politics, Economics, History, Geography, French and Spanish. They simply ask that you are qualified to at least one level above the level you will be tutoring, eg: if tutoring A-Level Chemistry you have at least an undergraduate degree in a related subject.

The tutoring is online, term-time only. The scheme is aware that volunteers may have leave and other commitments during term-time where they are unable to hold a session but tutors are asked to commit to at least one hour a week for at least 20 weeks of the year. This is the level where a significant improvement in grades can be found, less than that and the child may not get the full benefit of the programme.

The list is open all year round but the main recruiting of volunteers takes place over the summer, until September. The main period for matching tutors with pupils is in September and October. It is possible if requested by the pupil to match with a tutor based on certain characteristics such as desired career path or matching women together.

Volunteers will need to be in the UK at least three months of the year and require the following: an undergraduate degree or higher, two character references, and a DBS check (which The Access Project arranges). They will need to attend a two and a half hour online course and complete a one hour (in short modules) safeguarding course.

Some volunteers will be experienced and quite happy to work relatively independently but the Access Project is there throughout their time tutoring as required with advice and support.

Further details about the Access Project can be found here and applications to become a volunteer tutor should be sent directly to the project.