York Students in Schools

A project by: Leanne Shaw

£560
pledged of £6,000 target
9%
FUNDED
5
DONORS
Raising aspirations of pupils across York using student volunteers

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP

We are aiming to raise £6,000 to support hundreds of students to volunteer through York Students In Schools (YSIS), ensuring they can reach the schools in areas of York with higher levels of deprivation.

This funding will allow us to cover 12 months of bus tickets for our volunteers, which is even more vital during the cost of living crisis. With your help we can continue to keep YSIS accessible for all students, so they can continue making a significant difference to pupils across York; not just those within walking distance of campus.

What is YSIS and why is it important?

Since 1994, YSIS has connected 14,000 student volunteers with local schools and nurseries to help raise aspirations and attainment of school-age students in York. Set up by students, YSIS is an award-winning scheme in which students volunteer at local schools and nurseries to help support both teachers and pupils. Those who take part have the opportunity to gain significant work experience for their professional and personal development. 

YSIS seeks to primarily work with disadvantaged school-age students in York, but we aim to ensure all school-age students in the city are able to reach their full potential. Our volunteering opportunities are designed to provide additional support to schools and nursery settings, whilst enabling our student volunteers to be role models and build their own mentoring skills and confidence.  We want to ensure that all our students can benefit from involvement in volunteering; whatever their financial circumstances.

We offer different placements to suit a range of interests, such as Classroom Assistants, Reading Buddies, and Extracurricular Club support roles. Most involve volunteering for half a day each week for 10 weeks, but some involve volunteering full-time over a shorter period.

your contribution makes a difference

  • £4: Provides a day’s bus travel for one volunteer
  • £20: Supports a volunteer’s travel for half of their placement
  • £40: Supports a volunteer’s travel for an entire placement 
  • £80: Supports a volunteer’s travel for a whole year 

TESTIMONIALS

“Seeing the confidence grow in the students I have been helping and them having a positive experience of school has been immensely rewarding, I have really enjoyed this placement.” - Lauren, YSIS Volunteer (EAL Support). 

“Our partnership with YSIS has lasted the test of time with hundreds of students supporting our children throughout the years. This landmark 30 years is an opportunity to express our gratitude to all the volunteers who have selflessly given their time to help young, enthusiastic learners at our school.” - Matt Brown, Headteacher at Osbaldwick Primary Academy

    JOIN US IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE

    Your donation, regardless of its size, will directly support the YSIS programme and help us to ensure that we can assist all schools and nurseries across York. By contributing, you are helping us to narrow the disadvantage gap and support our efforts in reducing inequality in education.

    donate today

    If you share our belief in the power of student volunteers to change the lives of young people across York, please consider donating today. For more information on making a larger donation, please contact ysis@york.ac.uk

    If you are not in a position to donate, then you can still help by spreading the word and sharing this page on social media, and with anyone you think would like to support YSIS.

    Thank you for helping us make a difference. Together, we can ensure that every pupil in York has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

    Find out more about York Students in Schools by visiting bit.ly/ysis-30