Important information: This is a private event for people who have registered with us via our website. Please only book to attend if you have been invited to do so.

Online: This training event will be an online interactive training session on Zoom.

The Access Project is a nationwide charity that works with bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing in-school support and personalised tuition to help them gain access to top-third ranked universities.

Before you attend training:

1. Register: If you haven’t already done so, please complete our volunteer sign up form at https://www.theaccessproject.org.uk/apply

2. Collate your ID documents for a DBS check: We’ll conduct a DBS ID check (a criminal records check) at this online training session to ensure that all volunteers are suitable to work closely with children. Prior to training we will send you instructions on how to complete our Stage 1 DBS form in advance of the training session, and we'll verify your documents at the end of the session.

3. Complete your safeguarding training online: Upon signing up as a volunteer you’ll receive an email inviting you to complete your Child Safeguarding training online. Please follow the instructions and the link in that email. We recommend completing this before attending the training session.

During this training session, we’ll cover:

• What to expect as a tutor
• Tutoring techniques to help your student learn
• How to plan your tutoring sessions
• Teaching resources, lesson plans & worksheets
• How we will support you while you volunteer with us

What documentation should I bring for my DBS check?

We will send detail about this to you prior to training. For most people, we can complete a DBS check with the following 3 documents:

1. Passport (currently valid)
2. Driving license (full or provisional)
3. Letter with proof of your current address such as: Council tax statement (dated within 12 months),Pensions account letter (dated within 12 months) or a p60 (dated within 12 months).

Please refer to the full list of accepted documentation for a DBS check below.

Please note that:

• 3 documents must be seen: 1 from group 1 plus any 2 from group 2a or 2b.
• If you have a valid Passport and Driving License they must be shown, and at least one piece of identification must verify your current address.
• If you are unsure about the documents you're planning to bring please contact us ahead of time at volunteering@theaccessproject.org.uk

FAQs:

What do volunteer tutors do?

We look for volunteer tutors to spend 1 hour a week tutoring a student aged 14-18 in a school subject.

• Support a young person in their tutored subject to achieve the GCSE / A level grades they deserve and to fulfil their potential
• Use your professional experience and life experience to put learning into real-life context
• Inspire, motivate, and raise aspirations towards further education & the world of work

This training session will prepare you with everything you need for your role as a volunteer tutor. No prior experience necessary!

How does tutoring work online?

You will use our dedicated online education platform which meets our safeguarding requirements and allows tutors and students to use shared whiteboard facilities and look at resources online together. All tutorials are recorded for safeguarding purposes.

Why is this valuable for disadvantaged young people?

The professional experience that our volunteers bring is particularly valuable for students because it helps them to gain a better understanding of the real-world context of the curriculum that they are learning at school. Tutoring supports young people to fulfil their potential and helps them to understand the wide range of careers that a subject can lead them to, as well as help to raise their aspirations.

How does tutoring work with The Access Project?

Volunteer tutors meet with a young person aged 14-18 for 1 hour a week to tutor them in a specific subject during term-time one academic year. You’ll usually support the same student all year.

The student chooses a school subject they would like support with and their teacher will suggest topics for you to focus on with the student. The aim is to help them to understand and learn the curriculum content and to improve their grades.

Who will run the training session?

This training session will be run by The Access Project team, who have many years of combined experience of supporting and inspiring young people.

Where are the students we're supporting?

The Access Project operates across England, currently supporting students in 33 schools across London, Birmingham, the Black Country and East Midlands towns of Ashfield, Mansfield and Shirebrook.

Do I need any prior teaching experience to be a tutor?

No – you don’t need to have taught before. Our in-person training and resources will give you the information you need to deliver the tutoring and you’ll receive ongoing support with lesson planning, topic guidance and resources from their team.

Please note that we ask A level tutors to have an undergraduate degree in the subject they'll tutor at A level, and we ask GCSE tutors to have an A level in the subject they'll tutor at GCSE.

If you are a current undergraduate student, studying for a degree, we ask you to have a minimum grade B at A Level in the subject you will tutor at GCSE.

What skills will I develop through tutoring?

You’ll be developing your leadership and management skills, communication, coaching and planning skills and getting real job satisfaction. The Access Project volunteers often say tutoring is the most rewarding hour of their week.

How can I make a donation to support the charity?

We are always really very grateful for financial support that enables us to reach more young people. If you would be interested to make a small donation, or set up a regular donation, you can find all the information at https://www.theaccessproject.org.uk/donate

Do I need to complete a criminal records check (DBS check) to take part?

Yes. A DBS check is a criminal records check undertaken by the Disclosure and Barring Service. We cover the cost of this. You will be sent a link to complete a DBS form online, then you will need to present 3 pieces of ID to be checked at the above training session.

I already have a DBS certificate - can I use this?

Only if you have registered on the DBS Update service (free for volunteers). You will need to provide your DBS certificate number and one piece of photo ID (such as driving license or passport). With your permission, The Access Project can then check that the DBS check is valid.

Valid DBS Documents:

Group 1 – Primary Identity Documents:

• Current valid Passport
• Biometric Residence Permit (UK)
• Current Photocard Driving Licence (UK, EEA, Isle of Man / Channel Islands) (Full or Provisional)
• Birth Certificate (UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands) - issued at the time of birth;
• Including those issued by UK authorities overseas, such as Embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces.
• Adoption Certificate (UK and Channel Islands)

Group 2a – Trusted Government Documents:

• Current Driving licence (Full or Provisional) – Paper version (If issued before 1998)(UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and EEA)
• Current Photocard Driving Licence (All countries outside the EEA – excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands) (Full or Provisional)
• Birth Certificate (UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands) - (issued after the time of birth)
• Marriage/Civil Partnership Certificate (UK and Channel Islands)
• Immigration Document, Visa or Work Permit. (Issued by a country outside the EEA. Valid only for roles where the applicant is living and working outside of the UK. Visa/Permit must relate to the non-EEA country in which the role is based)
• HM Forces ID Card (UK)
• Firearms Licence (UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands)

Group 2b – Financial/Social History Documents:

• Mortgage Statement* (UK or EEA) (Non-EEA statements must not be accepted)
• Bank/Building Society Statement* (UK, Channel Islands or EEA)
• Bank/Building Society Statement* (Countries outside the EEA) (Issued in last 3 months – branch must be in the country where the applicant lives and works)
• Bank/Building Society Account Opening Confirmation Letter (UK)
• Credit Card Statement (UK or EEA)* (Non-EEA statements must not be accepted)*
• Financial Statement (UK) - e.g. pension, endowment, ISA (UK)**
• P45/P60 Statement (UK & Channel Islands)**
• Council Tax Statement (UK & Channel Islands)**
• Utility Bill (UK) - (Not mobile telephone bill)*
• Benefit Statement (UK) - e.g. Child Allowance, Pension**
• A document from Central/ Local Government/ Government Agency/ Local Authority giving entitlement (UK & Channel Islands)- e.g. from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service , Customs & Revenue, Job Centre, Job Centre Plus, Social Security**
• EEA National ID Card
• Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo (UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands)
• Letter from Head Teacher or College Principal (16-19 year olds in full time education in the UK (only used in exceptional circumstances when all other documents have been exhausted))
• Letter of sponsorship from future employment provide – NON-UK/NON-EEA Only. Valid only for applicants residing outside of the UK at the time of application.

If a document in the List of Valid Identity Documents is:

• Denoted with * - it should be less than three months old.
• Denoted with ** - it should be issued within the past 12 months.
• Not denoted – it can be more than 12 months old.

Other questions and queries:

If you have any questions or queries, we’re more than happy to help. Please email us on volunteering@theaccessproject.org.uk