Education Projects

Want to inspire children and help them gain confidence in maths? Looking for valuable teaching experience?

Maths Club runs weekly lunchtime or after school clubs, using puzzles and games to help local primary school children enhance their maths skills in a fun environment. You don’t have to be an expert or have done this before!

Further Maths Club works with A Level Further Maths students to support and develop their abilities.This project takes just a couple of hours a week and looks great on your CV!

Volunteers go in pairs or small groups to both sessions and you can benefit just as much as the children do. To sum it up, Maths Club and Further Maths Club are exciting and worthwhile projects with visible results.

When?
Different times/dates available to volunteer throughout the week.

Flexible Commitment?
Yes.

Where?
Local primary schools in and around Durham.

Transport/Directions
The schools are accessible by foot or bus, and any necessary transport costs can be reimbursed by DU Student Volunteering and Outreach.

DBS Required?
Yes.

To get involved please email

Maths Club (Ryan and Yujin) at [email protected]

Further Maths Club (Alex) at [email protected]

An exciting and worthwhile project with visible results that allows volunteers to support A- Level students to develop their maths skills and abilities.

Do you fancy being the next Brian Cox? Brain Storm Science Club runs ‘Science Fairs’ at local primary schools, where volunteers demonstrate experiments (e.g. baking soda volcanoes, DIY lava lamps) and educate the children on the concepts behind them. The project aims to remove the stigma that science is boring and promote STEM subjects to young children. The only requirements are that you are willing to volunteer a couple of hours a month, and bring your enthusiasm of science to the local schools!

When?
Volunteering in schools a few times a month.

Flexible commitment?
Yes.

Where?
Local primary schools in and around Durham.

Transport/Directions
The schools are accesible by foot or bus, and any necessary transport costs can be reimbursed by DU Student Volunteering and Outreach.

DBS Required?
Yes.

To get involved, please email Hadi at [email protected]

Volunteers work in local primary schools and help pupils to develop their speaking skills, confidence and love of languages. Activities include one-to-one tutoring, clubs at lunchtime or after school and taster sessions. The languages most in demand are French, Spanish and German. However, we are always keen to introduce other languages, so if you are proficient in any language then we’d be delighted to hear from you!

GCSE level is usually required (if unsure please get in touch).

When?
Various times/days throughout the week.

Flexible commitment?
Yes.

Where?
Local primary schools.

Transport/Directions
The schools are accessible by foot or bus, and any necessary transport costs can be reimbursed by DU Student Volunteering and Outreach.

DBS Required?
Yes.

To get involved please email Jemima and Tabitha at [email protected]

Interested in helping to promote languages in schools? The MFL Secondary Project runs weekly lunchtime and after school clubs for secondary school pupils, allowing them to discover a new side to language learning. Depending on arrangement between the schools and volunteers, sessions either build on the school curriculum through conversation clubs and help sessions, or avoid it entirely, giving pupils a chance to lean about a variety of different aspects relating to foreign cultures, such as food, music and traditions. The project is open to anyone interested in teaching any language; in the past volunteers have run clubs in French, German, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin, with taster sessions in Arabic and Russian. New languages are always welcome! Volunteers typically work in pairs or small groups, and are usually free to plan their own sessions, particularly in beginner languages. It’s a perfect opportunity to meet with local pupils, try out new activities and just generally share your enthusiasm for language learning.

When?
Opportunities at different times/days throughout the week.

Flexible commitment?
Yes.

Where?
Local schools in and around Durham.

Transport/Directions
The schools are all accessible by foot or bus, any necessary transport costs can be reimbursed by DU Student Volunteering and Outreach.

DBS Required?
Yes.

To get involved please email Jemima and Tabitha at [email protected]

Cyber Champions is an established not-for-profit organisation that delivers digital literacy and e-safety workshops to school pupils. The project teaches pupils to be digitally savvy through best practices, in a world of continually evolving cyber threats. The project consists of 1 hour workshops being delivered by volunteers to a range of age groups. The project provides a baseline level of digital personal safety knowledge, both for the students and volunteers.

When?
Usually 2-3 times per term, whenever the schools request us.

Flexible commitment?
Yes.

Where?
Local primary schools.

Transport/Directions
The schools are accessible by foot or bus, any necessary transport costs can be reimbursed by DU Student Volunteering and Outreach.

DBS Required?
Yes.

Contact Josh at [email protected]

Volunteers help to run an after-school coding club at the Durham University Training and Learning Centre to introduce children to a potentially new skill and develop their interest further. Coding training is available for volunteers.

Contact (Krystian): [email protected]

When?
Various weekly sessions.

Flexible Commitment?
Yes, you can teach Code Club sessions as frequently as you can, depending on your schedule.

Where?
Training and Learning Centre, Durham University

Transport/Directions
South Rd, Durham DH1 3LS

DBS Required?
Yes

Are you an international student who would like to visit local schools to share information about your home country, culture and language? Working closely with Durham County Council, Scholars in Schools sends international students into schools to teach primary and secondary students about countries outside of their borders, teaching mutual respect and tolerance of those of different practices, faiths and beliefs. Sessions can be about languages, daily life or anything else you can think of! The volunteering programme initially takes the form of a half day visit, typically as a mini cultural festival, however we will also be able to organise special events such as Chinese New Year activities.

When?
Wednesday 1-3pm

Flexible commitment?
Yes.

Where?
Various local schools and locations.

Transport/Directions
Locations are easily accessed by foot or bus, any necessary transport costs can be reimbursed by DU Student Volunteering and Outreach.

DBS Required?
Yes.

Please email Neha at [email protected] to get involved!

Based in Durham city, this project works with children aged 0-5. Volunteers support regular staff with activities including games and general care of the young children, with all activities supervised by trained staff. Perfect for those interest in education or early years care, this project offers both enjoyment and valuable experience. Volunteers would be required for an hour or two each week or on a regular basis.

When? A few hours per week.

Flexible? Completely flexible- it can be a one-off or a regular activity.

Where? Crossgate Centre

Transport/Directions Crossgate centre is easily accessible by foot, or if you need other transport to access the venue then DU Student Volunteering and Outreach can reimburse the costs.

DBS Required? Yes.

Contact Lowri at [email protected]

Our project helps local children in the Common Room at Keenan House with their homework and other fun activities after school on Thursday evenings. With this project, you have opportunities to work with children to help them to gain confidence with their studies, socialise and help to organise a variety of activities for children. The first hour is usually dedicated to homework. The second hour is spent enjoying a variety of games, arts and crafts.

When?
Every Thursday afternoon at 5-7pm (might change later on during the term)

Flexible commitment?
Yes, sign-up available for each week’s session

Where?
Keenan House Common Room

DBS Required?
Yes.

[email protected]

Are you a medievalist or an early modernist? Would you like to gain valuable teaching experience? We are looking for volunteers at both undergrad and postgrad level to run sessions for secondary-school students on aspects of the medieval or early modern world.

With this project, we hope to be able to offer interdisciplinary sessions on topics that students would normally have to wait until university to discover. We’re hoping to run a course of accessible and inspiring sessions that introduce these topics and generate fun activities and discussions, as well as opportunities to talk about access to university.

When?
Times to be negotiated with the schools, but will probably run as an after-school club.

Flexible Commitment?
Yes – each volunteer only needs to plan & deliver one session (on one topic) each, and volunteers may also work in pairs or small groups to deliver sessions

Transport/Directions?
Local schools within walking, bus or driving distance (we will organise this depending on which volunteers are doing which sessions nearer the time!) and possibility of delivering sessions via Zoom as well.

DBS Required?
Yes.

Please email Emma and Hope at [email protected] to get involved, and please include a brief idea for the topic of your session!

An incredibly popular and rewarding project, one-to-one tutoring pairs volunteers with pupils from local schools for weekly tutoring sessions. As well as greatly enhancing the pupils’ academic development, grades and aspirations, it gives both pupils and volunteers greater confidence and skills. You will be allocated a suitable pupil according to your desired subject and level (usually GCSE or A-level), after which you can tailor sessions to the pupil’s needs and your own timetable.

When?
Tutors and tutees agree a weekly time slot.

Flexible Commitment?
No, you will usually be required to tutor each week.

Where?
Online, with some in-person provision on the Durham University Science Site for those without internet access.

DBS Required?
Yes.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions or visit https://www.dur.ac.uk/experiencedurham/studentvolunteering/one-offs/1-1tutors/ to sign up.

This project involves tutoring sixth form students at our nearby Durham Sixth Form Centre. Volunteers will be paired with students, teaching them a specific subject alongside helping to guide them through the UCAS process. Tutoring with us is very flexible and once you’re matched with a tutee you can arrange a time that works best for both of you. This is a great project which can be really fun!

When?
At the same time each week but volunteers can choose times.

Flexible commitment?
No, you are expected to attend every week to help your tutees at the agreed time.

Where?
Durham Sixth Form Centre.

Transport/Directions
Durham Sixth Form Centre is down by Freeman’s Quay, in the centre of Durham easily accesible by foot. If other transport is required for accessibility purposes, this can be reimbursed by DU Student Volunteering and Outreach.

DBS Required?
Yes.

To get involved please email Adam at [email protected]

Our aim is to educate young children and help them achieve their full potential, and empower young adults. We provide completely free one-to-one tutoring services from University students to primary school children in need. We’re committed to integrating communities and inspiring children, by Students, 4 Students. Join us to make a difference!

When?
Each week at an agreed time/day.

Flexible Commitment?
No.

Where?
In local Durham schools.

Transport/Directions
The schools are easily accesible by foot or bus, any necessary transport costs can be reimbursed by DU Student Volunteering and Outreach.

DBS Required?
Yes.

Please email Tierney at [email protected] to get involved!

Join Project Access, an international award-winning charity, to help fight access inequalities to top tier universities for students from around the world. Mentors will be paired with a bright student from a disadvantaged background looking to get into Durham university. Other roles include ambassador roles, get in touch for more info!

Contact (Rebecca) – [email protected]

When?
This depends on the role you take on. As a mentor: 1-2h per month.

Flexible Commitment?
Yes, there are different roles you can take on. You could also get involved by writing blog posts to help guide students for instance.

Where?
Online

Transport/Directions
n/a

DBS Required?
Yes

https://projectaccess.org

Our project works to boost the confidence and prospects of young people who may not have had significant academic opportunities, via an online mentoring system. We aid pupils from areas of low progression, working class communities, who may be first generation scholars, or are in other ways at a disadvantage in the Higher Education system.

When?
Organised communication between you and your mentee, scheduled by yourselves.

Flexible commitment?
Flexible schedule, but commitment to your mentee is mandatory.

Where?
Digital communication via email, video calls and online interaction.

DBS Required?
Yes.

To get involved please email [email protected]

A one-to-one online tutoring service that aims to help tutor disadvantaged students in Years 9 and 11 from around the UK. Our focus is on students that are often overlooked as they are meeting their minimum targets but with extra support, could achieve much more. We aim to target areas where there are knowledge gaps but also encourage them to explore a topic in greater depth and in turn, we hope this will improve confidence and ultimately their success at school. When? Tutors are matched with a tutee based on their availability during the week. Flexible commitment? No, tutors should meet with tutees once a week online. Where? Online DBS Required? Yes. Please email Kit at [email protected] to get involved!

Founded in 2017 by Mel Young with the help of a grant from the 1972 Club of Collingwood College and their Alumni, the ‘Durham State School Debating Programme’ has since been renamed as VoiceIt. Recognising the relative underrepresentation of state-funded schools in debating and public speaking, VoiceIt was born so as to provide a platform for interested schools and students to have the opportunity to be matched with volunteers from the Durham University’s Student Volunteering Organisation – often successful competitive debaters. Apart from our mentorship programme, VoiceIt organises the North-East State Schools Debating Championship annually.

We believe that oracy skills are vital to building confidence and empowering people to build the skills and aspirations needed to achieve their dreams. With an aim of increasing access to opportunities for debating and oracy, we deliver cost-free specialized debating clubs and oracy workshops to selected primary and secondary schools in the United Kingdom.

Whilst our past syllabuses have been focused on developing core debating skills, this year we have modified our syllabus to include debates surrounding pressing issues that are globally relevant. The programme this year will focus on 3 main areas – Education, Healthcare and Rights & Equality.

Our world is changing faster than it ever has before. It is now more important than ever that students gain their own unique perspectives on the world around them through critical analysis and debate. By aiming to equip students with the necessary skills needed to debate, VoiceIt seeks to facilitate constructive discussions among students that can better prepare them to be future leaders.

Even though the current COVID-19 situation has revealed the importance of education for all, students have still been continuously disadvantaged by the unfolding events. However, in response, VoiceIt has now adapted to be suitable for both remote and in-person teaching.

We are working to provide free online resources to accompany student lessons, and are prepared for the possibility of continuing the programme online. This means that in the event of in-person teaching being unavailable due to COVID restrictions, VoiceIt will still strive to provide the best possible experience for its students.

Thank you so much.

Yours sincerely,
Carina Lim and Louise Lau
Project Leaders for VoiceIt Debating 2020/2021

[email protected]

Many of our pupils in the North East have parents who will not be in a position to help them with their learning during the summer. Learn With Us Summer Camp, in partnership with Laidlaw Schools Trust, aims to deliver a positive social impact in the lives of those children who otherwise would not have access to learning activities during the summer. We aim to raise their aspirations and achievements by showing them the great opportunities that education has to offer.

We create and deliver fun, engaging, and free educational videos and activities, and we strongly believe that by working hard enough, and long enough, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish. Together, we attracted over 3000 YouTube views, collected over 200 hours of lesson watched, and received the attention of the local press.

We are now recruiting for Summer 2021 and looking for 1st and 2nd year students to join our creative, dynamic, and inspiring family to volunteer with us. By joining you will have the opportunity to deliver a meaningful impact on the ground within the local community. You will gain incredible CV enhancing skills, demonstrating to future employers your interest in making a difference and a dedication to achieve even during the summer. We offer full training in your respective role to help you develop self-confidence, highly innovative thinking, creativity, leadership and project management skills in:

– Teaching
– Widening participation in HE
– Graphic design
– Video and audio editing
– Social Media and Communications

If you would like to get involved and help us deliver a meaningful impact on the ground, if you have any questions, or if you just want to chat, please drop us a line at [email protected] and use the area of interest as the email subject.

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4o07O3cPvwyxdRO2KgLWhA

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LearnWithUsSummerCamp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learn_with_us_summer_camp/