It all adds up

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Undergraduate Maths students with an interest in teaching as a career are volunteering to help out in local high school maths classes.

Twelve undergraduates, in the second and third year of their degree studies, are taking part in local school placements which began in November 2017 and will run until Easter 2018.

They are supporting teaching at Firrhill High School, Leith Academy, Royal High School and Trinity Academy in Edinburgh.

Enabling learning

Students spend about one hour per week in classrooms, supervised by qualified teachers.

They are each assigned to one class, and may work with a small group of pupils, or with individual pupils within a class, to provide focused support.  Their role is determined by the school and teacher according to the needs of the class.

I hope that those students who are supporting local schools will find the experience rewarding, and will be inspiring role models for pupils.

Professor Iain Gordon, Head of School of Mathematics

Skills development

Most students who apply to participate in the scheme express an interest in teaching as a career.  Successful applicants receive training jointly provided by Edinburgh University Students' Association and the University’s School of Mathematics.

The school placements not only support pupils and their teachers, but can help students make an informed choice about whether to pursue a teaching career and provide useful experience when applying for a teacher training programme. Students can also use their experience to help gain an Edinburgh Award, an initiative that develops students’ employability through activities outside their studies.

Being a curriculum ambassador has been a hugely insightful and rewarding experience. There is nothing like watching an initially quiet pupil ask for more help, or the moment when a pupil finally understands a difficult concept – it’s terrific.

Mark Paul, undergraduate student, School of Mathematics