After school education programme

This trip was an opportunity for Year 10 and 11 students to volunteer with children in Peru and work at the Picaflor House Community Project in Cusco, helping disadvantaged children.

The pupils acted as volunteer teaching assistants to local staff and assisted with English classes, arts, games, sports and supported the development of the children. 

Aims

It is a core part of the ethos of our school to develop the whole person and not just the academic. Our students are often very well-travelled and used to overseas trips with parents to exotic places. 

Background

We were keen for pupils to be able to visit somewhere less developed and where they would encounter challenges of language, culture and be exposed to the realities of poverty we thought was an experience they would truly benefit from. They also had to opportunity to visit truly historic sites such as Machu Picchu, which benefitted their learning.

Impact

The trip opened our student’s eyes to the issues of development in a way that a textbook never could. The poverty and opportunities that tourism provides but the potential cultural damage this can do. The children made a lasting impression on them as did the staff at Picaflor. Many have come back with the intention of pursuing other volunteering opportunities in the Sixth Form and beyond. It took them out of their comfort zone and in the long-term, made them better world citizens.