Student Volunteering with Partner Schools and Organisations

Sixth form students at The Grammar School art Leeds (GSAL) take part in community volunteering every Wednesday afternoon as part of the school’s extracurricular provision. Students visit a range of partner organisations, including primary schools and community centres, where they support children, older adults and local groups. This longstanding programme strengthens GSAL’s relationships across Leeds and provides meaningful, hands-on service-learning opportunities for students.

Aims

The aims of the programme are to provide sixth form students with opportunities to develop empathy, leadership and real-world skills through community service, while offering practical support to partner organisations. The programme responds to the identified need for literacy support in primary schools, companionship for older adults,

and wider engagement between young people and the community. Critical factors for success include strong partnerships, consistent attendance from students, reliable transport and staff coordination. Immediate beneficiaries are children in local primary schools and older adults in community centres, while the wider community benefits from strengthened intergenerational links and increased social support.

Background

GSAL has a long history of community engagement, with its partnership with Parklands Primary running for 17 years, which is the school’s longest-established collaboration. Since 2018, further partnerships have included the Marjorie & Arnold Ziff Community Centre, Moor Allerton Elderly Care and projects within the GSAL Primary School.

Resources

The programme requires weekly transport for students to reach partner sites, staff oversight and strong communication between GSAL and its partners. Around 30 sixth form students currently participate each week, increasing to approximately 45 when the Blenheim partnership launches. Activities rely heavily on student time, commitment and the support of partner school staff and community centre coordinators.

Impact

The programme has a clear qualitative impact: primary pupils receive additional one-to-one support with reading, classwork and sometimes creative projects; older adults benefit from companionship, social interaction and digital support; and community partners regularly report improved engagement and wellbeing among participants. GSAL students develop confidence, communication skills, responsibility and an understanding of diverse community needs. The annual summer afternoon tea at GSAL brings older adults into the school, strengthening community ties and celebrating student contributions. Anticipated continued outcomes include increased literacy support, reduced social isolation for older adults and further development of students’ personal and social skills.

Pupil Involvement

All volunteers are aged 16–18 and work directly with children in primary schools or with older adults in community centres. Students support individual and small-group learning, help run activities such as bingo and digital workshops and contribute to social and wellbeing projects. Engagement is inclusive, with students of all genders participating.

Frequency

The programme runs weekly, every Wednesday afternoon, throughout the academic year. Partnerships such as Parklands Primary and the community centre engagements are long-term and ongoing, with some running continuously for many years.