Student tutors make their mark in city schools

Edinburgh students are giving up their time to tutor at city schools where relatively few pupils go on to higher education.

The students are taking part in one-to-one sessions to help pupils attain the grades they need to go to university.

Tutoring sessions, which began in March, also help pupils achieve exam results that will enable them to enter the world of work. 

The Elevator Project involves undergraduate students from the University’s Schools of GeoSciences and Mathematics. 

The student tutors have benefitted hugely from the experience of working in a classroom and have welcomed the opportunity to make a real difference in pupils' lives.

Good record  

The University has a strong track record for innovation in this area. It seeks to encourage people from all backgrounds to consider studying at Edinburgh. 

Volunteers taking part in the Elevator Project are delivering quality tuition to pupils preparing for their National 5 Maths exam – a key qualification for entering higher and further education, and the jobs market.

Pupils from Craigroyston Community High School and Tynecastle High School work with their personal tutor for one hour each week. Sessions are tailored to each pupil’s individual needs.

Many benefits

All of the pupils who have taken part really appreciated the support. I have a really good feeling about this fabulous project and what a positive impact it will have.

Tutorials not only help to consolidate classroom work but also improve pupil confidence and promote greater participation and topic discussion.

Project organisers say there has already been an overwhelmingly positive response from the pupils, tutors and schools involved in the initiative.

_{Image credit: iStock/Getty Images}