From spending quality time with residents at local care homes to lending their efforts to charitable projects, there are countless benefits to independent school students engaging with community-based volunteering, Laura Sutherland discovers
Whether it?s scholarship programmes or sharing state-of-the-art facilities with nearby schools, outreach initiatives are fundamental to independent school life. By giving back, they?re demonstrating a commitment to supporting the neighbourhood ? and showing their students that good fortune is something you share.
Perhaps more meaningful though, is how these schools engage students in charitable partnerships, mentoring projects and voluntary services, where they share the most valuable commodities of all: time and energy. Instills school spirit
St Paul’s
Dr Carlos Gane, head of voluntary service at St Paul?s School explains that community outreach is core to the Barnes all-boys? institute?s spirit. ?Service to others is at the heart of our ethos,? adding ?in a world that?s becoming increasingly disconnected, we strive to enable our students to form heartfelt connections. By focusing on relationship building that fosters mutual understanding, we aim to nurture caring, socially responsible members of society.?
Sixth formers are especially active local volunteers, with Friday afternoons dedicated to providing reading and classroom support, sports coaching and Lego League workshops for nearby primaries, as well as maths and science tut...