We are passionate about supporting our students to engage in volunteering opportunities.  Students who volunteer report that they gain a lot of benefits from it, including better time management, opportunities to meet new people, satisfaction from having helped others and improved mental well-being. 

There are many opportunities for volunteering across school, including helping out at open evenings, becoming anti-bullying ambassadors and joining the Progress, Pride, People group to campaign for inclusivity across school.

Our students are also encouraged to take up the following opportunities with external organisations:

North Yorkshire Youth Commission:

This is offered to all year groups. Students are encouraged to get involved and have their say about policing, fire and crime, where they live. The Youth Commission enables young people to support, challenge and inform the work of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire and York, North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and partner agencies about issues that are important to them.

This is a very important role, because it helps the Commissioner, the police, fire service and partners to make better decisions to meet the needs of young people.

You can find out more about the Youth Commission here.

DofE- The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award:

The Duke of Edinburgh Award challenges students to take action in their community, get fitter and develop their confidence.

Year 10- We run the Bronze award as an afterschool club. Students attain this by doing volunteering, fitness and a skill over the period of six months. They also have to complete a two day one night, fully self-sufficient expedition, over unfamiliar terrain.

Year 12- We run the Silver award as a PDP activity. Students attain this by doing volunteering, fitness and a skill over the period of a year. They also have to complete a three day two night, fully self-sufficient expedition, over unfamiliar and challenging terrain.

You can find out more about DofE here.

NHS Cadets:

This is offered to Y10-Y13 students and is a programme for young people (14-18) from all backgrounds. During this programme, students learn practical skills for a future in healthcare, and explore the different roles within the NHS.

NHS Cadets meet in groups of 20-30 throughout school term time, one evening per week.

Over the course of 36 weeks, they take part in a range of 90-minute sessions delivered by youth leaders. In these sessions, they do lots of different activities to develop their healthcare knowledge such as research tasks, debates, games and quizzes. The programme consists of two pathways: Foundation (for 14–16 year olds) and Advanced (for 16–18 year olds). 

You can find out more about NHS Cadets here.

National Citizen Service (NCS):

This is offered to our Y11 and Y12 students and is designed specially for 16 and 17 year olds. The NCS experience exists to engage, unite and empower young people, building their confidence so they can go out there and achieve their dreams, no matter where they are from or what their background is.

There are three different themes young people can choose from: Boss it (Employability), Change it (Social Action) and Live it (Life skills).

You can find out more about the NCS here.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards:

This is also offered to our Y11 and Y12 students and is an intensive leadership experience organised by Rotary clubs and districts where students develop their skills as a leader while having fun and making connections.

You can find out more about the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards here.