Volunteer Mentor Review

I primarily work in a Year 3 class, focusing on pupils who are struggling with their Maths and English. This has involved building positive working relationships with the class teacher as well as the pupils I have supported. I have also been supporting pupils elsewhere in the school including Year 1 reading and Reception class. I have also supported pupils on the playground during break times to ensure they are building positive relationships with their peers. I have also planned and led after school clubs such as origami and arts. This has involved thinking up creative ideas and tasks for the pupils to take part in as well as ensuring the necessary resources are available.

I have learnt and developed team building skills; this includes working with my team and with my mentees. Working and building positive working relationships with the class teacher as well as the pupils I have supported. I have also developed more leadership skills, with the work we had to complete during the due course of the time we were there. Another skill I learnt was being able to identify targets and goals which my pupils could achieve by the end of the year. After working and getting to know my pupils I thought what methods would be best to guide them along and progress with their learning. Being able to develop more administrative skills with the work and planning we were set to do, this has allowed me to gain experience and it has allowed me further with my career. From the role, it has taught me that working with children in groups or 1 to 1, putting the biggest focus and guiding them along throughout the due course will give every child a positive impact and taking your time. If plan a doesn't work used another method for them to understand. Communication is very important with both staff and team members as it shows the team is strong and they can work together to handle situations.

During the time, I taken on City Year projects offering to lead the project and working closely with the team for the best outcome of the project- with the work involved we had putt together a team report on the impact we have had in the school, which has involved collating data from the other volunteers as well as staff around the school. Another project was focusing on a group of my mentees, so that they would learn more of friendships and how they be stronger together. Each session there will be a range of activities, at the end of each activity I would get them to tell me one or two things which they learnt and what they found meaningful. Also, having one to one sessions with each of them as I would be able to find out more of what they need help with and whether there is any issues. Repping the red by promoting and sharing the day to day at my previous college Havering College. Being able to share my experience with the current students about the programme.

I received lots of support not only from City Year staff and my team, also my bridge builder mentor. Without this experience, I don't think I will be where I am today. I was able to speak to my line manager and team members about any ideas or advice. My bridge builder we would meet once a month with our meeting to discuss about the programme as well as how things are working in the school. All willing to help and guide you along with anything we have problems with and just listening to what our day to day working in a school is like.

It was a diverse atmosphere and you know your voices get heard with any ideas or suggestions. Being able to take part in other activities, alongside our day to day at school and being able to find areas of focus within your future steps .

I had a very wide spread of getting to learn different things, not only working at a school alongside my team members. Being able to bond with team members and find out more from each other. Having a line manager who understands and give advice when unsure of things. Having a bridge builder mentor, was a experience which has allowed me to grow and develop further. Very insightful opportunities and a different environment to be in. Training on Fridays, it would be a nice opportunity to meet and catch up with the other teams as every school is different. Also getting to know them and team building skills activities. Lots of events covered which we were able to get an insight into and allowing our self development to progress further during the course of the year. It meet my expectations, even though there were days which were really tough and some days went by really quick. Its going through the experience which counts as a big step as I have learnt more about myself and being able to seek this experience at a young age has not only built up my resilient and to be stronger with what I have to face in future. It would be lovely experience to go back and see all the staff and pupils who I have worked with.. Also being able to share my experience during the time I served.

Yes

My advice would be City Year is a good experience to encounter while you are young, you get to meet different people and its a unique experience for those who are not entirely sure what you would like to do. The whole process really smooth and ease, staff will guide you along the way. It is an experience which you will never forget. All the hardship does pay off with whatever you do next. I would have known alongside working in a school, there are different projects to undertake whilst working in a team. Good cooperation and team building skills very important. Enjoy the year and even though there are hard days, you will think back in a few years and you have achieved that much already.