Volunteering
In addition to a focused work experience placement students also have the opportunity to volunteer through the John Muir Award. The Sixth Form also promote the summer programmes of the National Citizen Service. Last academic year a number of students successfully completed the programme and achieved the V Inspired Award.
The John Muir Award
Students in Pathways 3 and 4 have the opportunity to participate in a variety of volunteering activities with the John Muir Award.
The John Muir engagement initiative encourages people to connect with, enjoy, and care for wild places. Students complete four sections of the award
- Discover a wild place
- Explore it
- Conserve it
- Share experiences
The John Muir Award also promotes wider areas of learning such as outdoor learning, personal and health education, sustainable development and citizenship.
Over the past two years students from Abbey Hill Sixth Form have volunteered with the following organizations in order to complete their award.
- Tees Valley Wildlife
- Environmental City
- Stillington Wildlife Rangers
- Natural England
- Daisy Chain
- Saltholme
- Teesmouth Nature Reserve
The National Citizen Service
NCS is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity open to 15-17 year old students or those up to 25 years old if they have an Educational Healthcare Plan.
The programme starts with a 4-night stay at an outward-bound activity centre. Students will get to know their NCS family, build confidence and leadership skills and achieve things they never thought possible.
After spending two nights back at home, week two is all about building skills for life; whether it’s budgeting, cooking a meal for themselves and their NCS friends, or taking part in workshops. Whilst living away from home for another 4 nights in university-style accommodation in the local area, they will work with organisations and local businesses to understand the community around them, and the world of opportunity that awaits.
NCS helps builds CVs, offers a chance to meet new people, take on new challenges, volunteer and fast forward futures. NCS is recognised by national employers such as Carillion and Aldi as well as regional apprenticeship providers.
Over the past few years several of our students have successfully completed the programme.
Revised offer for Summer 2020
Due to Covid-19 NCS won't be running the full programme this summer. However they are still encouraging young people to volunteer in their local area. The NCS are supervising this too. To sign up, click here.
