Virtual Mentoring by MGS Sixth Formers
Posted on: March 31st 2021School News
Traditionally, our Sixth Formers have supported not only our own Lower School boys, but pupils in other schools, with their studies.
However, as face-to-face meetings are not currently possible due to the coronavirus restrictions, we have trialled virtual tutoring over Microsoft Teams in school.
Twenty-four Year 12 boys give up their lunchtime every week to virtually tutor boys in Year 7 and 8 in Maths and English. One Year 8 pupil wrote the following email about the process:
“I just had an online tutoring session with my tutor. I asked about a subject that I had been unsure about for over two years. I was taught it and now I can finally do the questions regarding that subject. I just wanted to email to say that I really appreciate him volunteering his lunches to help me with Maths. He has helped teach me in ways that he as a student found the best. He gave me many examples to make sure I understood it and helped me learn the fundamentals. Without him, I think I would struggle in Maths a lot more.”
As the virtual tutoring has worked so well within MGS, we decided to offer this to other schools. We have now partnered up with MEA Central and the Year 12 boys who have chosen to volunteer in their Enrichment option are working with Year 7 pupils at MEA Central on the Better Reading Partnership programme.
They have had training on being a reading partner and have spent time researching appropriate texts to share with their partner.
