Kentish Town School Partnership

Weekly academic partnership of Sixth Form volunteers in lessons.  

In 2010 the KTPS project was established as an annual event and by 2014 became a two times a year event.

Aims

The aim of our primary school partnerships is to enable primary school students and staff to access the benefits of our facilities and academic support through volunteer work with our older students. This enables academic support for clubs, lessons and specific subject focuses tailored to the individual school needs.

The KTPS project provides an opportunity for UCS Year 12 students to organise and run a day of activities at UCS and to support staff at KTPS as part of the community programme in the postAS period. Collaboration develops a wider social and cultural skills and understanding and fosters positive links and shared resources.

Background

UCS sixth formers put on a Christmas production for pupils at Kentish Town Primary School which they have written and directed entirely on their own.  Children from Kentish Town Primary also enjoy an annual Fun Day in the Summer Term with Sport, Music, Drama, Art and Design Technology activities. 

As part of their Friday afternoon activities, sixth form pupils provide assistance with literacy and math skills.  Currently twenty three of our Year 12 boys and girls help in local primary schools on Friday afternoons. In some cases they help specifically with Maths and Literacy. They also have access to our playing fields located in West Hampstead on request and we are pleased to make the UCS Lund Theatre available to local schools and charities to host drama productions. 

Resources

Coordinating staff members and links within schools, Sixth Form Volunteers as part of community action projects. The KTPS project uses UCS staff, year 12 students and UCS facilities – classrooms, laboratories, swimming pool, courts and studios.

Impact

The schools have commented on the positive effect of older role models for the children. They have been particularly pleased to have male volunteers as some primary schools have few male teachers. The schools have singled out help with Maths as particularly effective.

Feedback from staff is very positive in terms of experiences at UCS and of the conduct of our students both here and at KTPS.

Pupil Involvement

KS1/2 pupils supported by volunteer Sixth form pupils each week.

Frequency

Every Friday afternoon and yearly Christmas production and summer Fun Day.