Role

Volunteer Student Teacher

Department

Warwick in Africa Programme

Cost

None. This is a voluntary position, all your costs will be covered (flights, accommodation, vaccinations etc).

Each volunteer has a responsibility to fundraise to meet a group target of £54,000 towards the further development of the Warwick in Africa programme.

Purpose

To teach Maths or English in secondary level schools in Ghana, South Africa or Tanzania for a period of up to 6 weeks during Summer 2022 (placement dates vary but will be sometime during the period 4th July – 11th September, if you are not available for any period during this time you should state so on your application). To inspire lasting change in the classroom by supporting learners to think differently about their education and their potential. To work collaboratively with teachers in our partner schools to deliver classes which use participatory teaching techniques through team teaching and mutual feedback.

Eligibility

To apply for this programme you must;

• be a student currently registered on a University of Warwick degree course (undergraduate or postgraduate course, you can be in any year of study)
• if you are an alumni of Warwick you are only eligible if you have previously completed Warwick in Africa
• be confident to teach Maths or English up to A level standard and have an A level (or equivalent qualification) in either Maths or English, depending on the subject you are applying to teach
• be fluent in spoken and written English

Duties and Responsibilities

• To participate fully in the organisation of the trip and to provide promptly any information requested by trip organisers. This will include obtaining advice on vaccinations from your local doctor and evidence thereof to fulfil any country entry requirements.
• To attend the compulsory recruitment and training days and complete a WiA Moodle course.
• Take the initiative to work with members of your group in preparation for your time in Africa
• Develop and implement fundraising ideas to meet the £1,000 fundraising target before you travel
• Work alongside existing teaching staff in nominated schools in South Africa, Tanzania or Ghana to deliver the Maths or English curriculum, often with few resources and inadequate furniture
• Work a full working week teaching around 5 to 6 different classes of as many as 75 children for normally 7 hours a day plus some Saturdays and extra-curricular and revision activities. Duties will also include lesson planning, lesson preparation and marking.
• Identify learners’ lack of knowledge and teach background topics to allow the introduction of more advanced topics.
• Coach small groups of children on specific topics.
• Identify opportunities for and initiate extra-curricular clubs (e.g. Sports, Language, Maths, Arts activities), giving a framework, motivation and possibly resources for continuation after your departure.
• Develop course materials appropriate to the target group and use them to deliver chosen topics. Share any materials you develop with your school
• To encourage teachers in your placement school to observe your lessons and share ideas through team teaching
• Participate fully in the life of the school
• To recognise your responsibility as an Ambassador of the University and ensure appropriate conduct to fulfil this role as set out in the Code of Conduct
• Collect photos, stories and quotes to be used in communications about the programme
• To fully complete all information required as part of the evaluation within the specified time period
• You will be expected to participate periodically in a range of volunteer recruitment and fundraising activities, which may, for example include SU fairs; donor meeting; and receptions held with potential sponsors or alumni.
• On occasion, it may be necessary for the University to request your presence in meetings with donors, to help further our fundraising efforts. Requests will always be made in advance.

What we are looking for

• Some teaching experience or classroom exposure. Enough to know you will enjoy spending seven weeks in a teaching role
• Motivation to teach and help learners achieve their potential
• Confidence to teach Maths or related subjects or English to secondary school pupils up to A level standard
• Ability to devise and implement fundraising ideas to raise at least £1,000 towards the continuation and further development of the Warwick in Africa programme
• Adaptability and resilience. Able to cope with last minute changes to plans, and working with sometimes limited information
• Previous experience of volunteering activity or participation in extracurricular activities (e.g. a sports team / orchestra or other/participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Challenge or similar)
• Self-motivation, flexibility and drive. Ability to work from own initiative to research educational, cultural and historical background in destination country
• Proven ability to work in a team and independently, to build relationships with a wide variety of people and conduct yourself with tact and sensitivity
• Determination. Ability to think laterally and deliver innovative solutions to complex problems.
• Excellent communication skills: written, verbal and presentational. Confident communicating with a wide variety of people of all ages and backgrounds.
• An understanding of the objectives of the project and education challenges in destination countries.
• Previous experience of successfully undertaking challenges.

Safety and Conduct

Selected volunteers should remember that at all times while in Africa you will be representing the University. Your own personal safety and that of the group during your time on the programme are of paramount importance. We expect all involved to take these considerations very seriously and we therefore require all programme participants to sign up and adhere to a Code of Conduct. Any breach of that Code will be taken very seriously and will be subject to the University’s disciplinary procedures.

Travel arrangements are made centrally from a UK airport (normally London Heathrow), with prior agreement international students may be able to travel from their home airport but all arrangements must be made and paid for individually, Warwick in Africa will reimburse reasonable costs.

Wellbeing

Warwick in Africa volunteers have access to the full range of support services available through Wellbeing Support Services before, during and after their placement. If you have been engaging with any of these services at any time it is likely you will need to talk to them about your plans to go overseas. You should discuss your plans with whoever has been supporting you.

Any students with ongoing health considerations should discuss their fitness to travel with their doctor and will be responsible for giving full consideration to the impact that travelling to Africa could have on their health. You should discuss your plans to go overseas with your doctor and let the programme team and your team leader know of any adjustments that may need to be made.

Selection Process

Applications close on 12^th January 2020. Selection events for shortlisted candidates will take place between 25^th - 30^th January, a number of sessions will be available and successful candidates will be asked to sign up online for a slot. You must be available to attend a selection event in person during this period for you application to be considered further.

Dates

Students who are chosen to take part are required to attend compulsory training sessions.

Successful applicants will be required to attend compulsory initial briefing session on Wednesday 12^th February.

Final training will take place between 20^th - 24^th June, all volunteers are required to attend this training on campus.

Approximate Placement Dates (to be confirmed)

• Ghana: 4 weeks in July
• Tanzania: 6 - 7 weeks mid July to early September
• South Africa: 6 - 7 weeks mid-late July to early September

Subsistence and Expenses

As a volunteer your costs for participating in the programme are covered. Exact details on what this will include varies by location but will cover:

• Insurance
• Flights from a UK Airport (travel from your home to UK airport is not covered)
• Transfers to your accommodation and transport to and from school
• Accommodation
• A daily stipend to cover basic meal costs that are not included with your accommodation
• Refund of essential vaccinations
• Visas for travel to Tanzania, Ghana, and South Africa if necessary
• Some cultural activities

If you accept a place on the programme and subsequently drop out for reasons which are within your control, you will be liable to pay for any costs incurred to date. These costs are likely to include flight costs. Therefore, please ensure you think carefully before accepting a place on the programme particularly having regard to other commitments such as internships.

Visa Requirements

If you require a visa to travel Warwick in Africa will assist you with this. You may be required to submit your passport to the Warwick in Africa Programme Office for a period of several weeks to allow for visa arrangements to be made. If you are not willing or able to do so you will be required to arrange your own visa where necessary.

DBS Checks

Successful applicants will need to apply for a DBS check (Enhanced plus Child’s Barred List). If you have lived outside of the UK for a continuous period of more than 6 months in the past 5 years you also need to obtain a criminal record check from the country or countries you have lived in during that period. This is commonly referred to as a Certificate of Good Conduct. You will also need to apply for a DBS check (UK criminal records check) in addition to the Certificate of Good Conduct.