Increase in teaching numbers assisted by gap year students

Date added: Thursday 28th August 2008

Increase in teaching numbers assisted by gap year students

Newly released figures from the Department for Children Schools and Family indicate that the total number of teachers in schools has increased by 8% (from 399,200 to 431,700) between 1997 and 2007.

Across Year Out Group's range of structured volunteering placements, teaching is consistently the most popular choice for gap year students. For those already considering a career in teaching, their gap year provides an excellent opportunity to gain experience and confirm that teaching is the career for them. However a significant number initially choose a teaching placement with the sole aim of having an interesting and worthwhile cultural experience but then find teaching is truly rewarding and so teaching becomes an unexpected career possibility. Year Out Group has noticed a definite trend for gap year students to return to the UK with a positive interest in teaching, boosting the figures of newly qualified teachers after their university education.

Richard Oliver, Chief Executive of Year Out Group comments: "A significant proportion of our volunteers choose to teach in their gap year, with many going on to teach as a full time career in the UK. Teaching young children in Africa, South America and Asia, who are thirsty for knowledge, learn with a smile on their face and have a healthy respect for their tutors, often turns out to be a life changing experience and is the catalyst towards teaching as a full time career.

"Former gap year students commence their teaching career with enthusiasm and excitement. They are not deterred by adverse publicity. So it is really sad to learn from recently published research that forty percent quit the classroom after just two years citing poor behaviour among pupils and an excessive workload as the main reasons. Former gap year students have firsthand experience of societies in countries where many children are severely disadvantaged but still retain respect for their teachers and their elders. Year Out Group calls on communities to work together to create an environment where children are keen to learn and teachers free to teach. There are thousands of young people with a passion for teaching out there but who are, sadly, put off by the environment in which they sometimes have to work."

A well structured gap year, as promoted by not-for-profit Year Out Group, presents a wide range of opportunities for students to acquire new skills, interact and appreciate new cultures, while assisting people and projects. It aims to help volunteers become more rounded individuals, and to help them in planning for their future.

For further information, advice and a full list of members, or to order a free copy of the ‘Planning Your Year Out' guide, call Year Out Group on 01380 816 696 or visit www.yearoutgroup.org.

Ends 28 July 2008

Year Out Group is a not-for-profit organisation. Its carefully-vetted 35 member companies are specialists in their field and comply with a strict Code of Practice and Operating Guidelines. The range of programmes available in the UK and over 90 countries worldwide includes voluntary work, study courses, cultural exchanges, expeditions and work placements. Collectively members carry nearly 47,000 participants annually, with a firm emphasis on ethical considerations.

Press: For further information, to interview Richard Oliver, Chief Executive of Year Out Group, or to obtain case studies and photography of placements, please call Ian Bradley or Richard Mellor at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440, or email i.bradley@travelpr.co.uk.