celebrating
york students
in schools
1994 to 2024 and beyond
What is YSIS?
Since 1994, York Students in Schools (YSIS) has connected hundreds of 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.
60 schools
supported
14,000
volunteers
420,000 hours volunteered
Our
aims and values
The YSIS programme seeks to support teaching and learning across the city, building school-age students’ confidence in study skills and improving attitudes towards education.
YSIS primarily works 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.
“Through three decades, we've been catalysts for change, elevating pupil aspirations and providing invaluable experiential learning opportunities for students”
A variety of placements
on offer
Most of our placements involve volunteering for half a day each week for 10 weeks, but some involve volunteering full-time over a shorter period. We offer different placements to suit a range of interests, such as Classroom Assistants, GCSE Maths and English Tutors, and English as an Additional Language (EAL) Support Assistants.
We also offer Speech and Language placements, thanks to our partnership with the City of York Council’s Early Talk for York programme, where volunteers have the chance to support pupils one-to-one.
Outside the classroom, we facilitate Maths Excellence Club coaching placements to support the York Mathematical Excellence Club, an extracurricular activity delivered by the York Independent State School Partnership.
“Seeing the confidence grow in the students I have been helping and them have a positive experience of school has been immensely rewarding, I have really enjoyed this placement.”
Get involved with YSIS
By becoming a YSIS volunteer, you can help make a difference to the lives of young people in York. The programme is open to all students, and is a great chance to gain valuable work experience for any future career.
Visit our Handshake page or sign-up to our mailing list to learn more about applying.
Celebrating our work
so far
For the 30th anniversary of YSIS, we want to celebrate the past, present and future of the programme. As part of these celebrations, we've put together a timeline of the incredible work we’ve achieved up to now.
the First DECADE OF YSIS
1994
- YSIS is founded by Allen Warren, Vanbrugh College Provost, following a trial project initiated by Robert Partridge, a biology postgraduate student.
“Initially, there was much suspicion from head teachers and some teaching unions, which the students dispelled by their commitment and enthusiasm. The scheme was, we believe, the first in the UK and has been widely replicated in one form or another. It brings great credit to York and the University as pioneers, in terms of community engagement”
- Allen Warren, founder of YSIS
1999
- The YSIS Steering Group is created, bringing together members from across the educational community in York to determine the future of YSIS
2001
- The first newsletter, YSIS news, is produced and sent to partner schools and our student volunteers
2004
- YSIS celebrates its 10th anniversary
YSIS enters its second decade
2006
- YSIS volunteering hits a milestone as 600 volunteers complete a placement in this year
2011
- Girls Enrichment Mentoring Scheme (GEMS) is piloted
- The YSIS Student Management Group, who are responsible for recruiting student volunteers, are nominated for a Shepherd Group Award
2013
- The York Mathematical Excellence Club is now launched as an extracurricular club in collaboration with the York Independent State School Partnership and YSIS volunteers.
Three decades of YSIS
2017
- YSIS GCSE Tutoring programme launches, offering Maths and English tuition to Year 11 pupils in receipt of Pupil Premium funding
2020
- The Covid-19 pandemic begins and YSIS responds by providing teacher resource packs to support pupils during lockdowns
2022
- Mock COP Climate Change event takes place, supported by YSIS volunteers
2024
- Girls Enrichment and Motivation for Success (GEMS) project relaunches at Millthorpe School
- YSIS celebrates its 30th anniversary
“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”
“I am extremely proud of the profound impact our volunteering programme, York Students in Schools (YSIS), has had over the last three decades. Our alumni and current volunteers continue to be a source of inspiration, delivering positive change within our school communities. Congratulations to all who have contributed to this remarkable journey”
York Festival of ideas
Recently, we attended York Festival of Ideas to discuss the future of mental health support in schools.
Listen to Pete Crane (The Joseph Trust), Mel Forster (University of York, Psychology Department), Rob Sims (Headteacher of York High School) and Joshua Stubbs (PSHE Association and University of York's Education Department), as they suggest strategies for creating a more supportive and inclusive environment for mental health in the education system.
Share your story
As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations, we’re inviting past and present YSIS volunteers to share their experiences and stories of volunteering with YSIS.
If you want to share how YSIS is, or has been, a part of your life, please fill in this form.
A chance to say
thank you
We want to take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers, the schools and nurseries YSIS supports, our partners and particularly The Shepherd Group for their ongoing funding support for the programme.
“Many thanks and congratulations to you all.
We have come a long way in the last thirty years. Throughout the whole period the scheme has had support from the Shepherd Group, which should be acknowledged”
Keep in touch
Follow us on social media
Instagram @uoyvolunteering
X @UoY_YSIS for teachers
X @UoYVolunteering for student volunteers
Get involved with ysis
Find out when applications open for our volunteering programmes by visiting our Handshake page.
send us an email
If you have any questions, drop us an email ysis@york.ac.uk
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