Information for prospective volunteers

• About the scheme
• How to join
• Timing of applications and visits
• Frequently asked questions
• Quotes from volunteers

About the scheme

STIMULUS places university students in local primary and secondary schools, to help with mathematics, science, ICT and technology lessons. You might help generally in the classroom, or work with a group of particularly able pupils, or help individuals who are struggling, or carry out practical work with small groups.

Your placement will be for a couple of hours each week during term, at a time to fit around your lectures and other commitments. The commitment is for one term (about six visits) although many volunteers return for more. There is an orientation meeting at the start of term, and a training session during the school half-term.

The scheme is mainly designed for those taking maths, science and engineering subjects, but is open to students studying other subjects who are confident that their subject knowledge is sufficient for the age group they want to work with. The only exception is that we do not make placements for freshers in Michaelmas term, but you can still register your interest ready for Lent term. You don't have to have any teaching experience; training will be provided, and the school staff will explain what they want you to do.

Do browse the site for more information.

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How to join

Registration forms are now available. If you wish to apply for the Michaelmas Term you will be able to do so NOW and get your CRB forms filled in October.

1. Fill in the online application form. This tells us your availability and preferences, which we will then try to match to the requests from schools. This form must be completed by midnight Friday 10th October. You can update it until that date, as you get details of supervisions.
2. Apply for a CRB disclosure. More information, including our policy documents, can be found here. See below for times and places.
3. Come to an orientation meeting, and collect details of your placement. See below for times and places.
4. Plan to come to one of the half-term training sessions.
5. Placements beginning Monday 20th October.

Times and places

Frequently asked questions

How far away are the schools?

Although most of them are outside the immediate university area, they are all within 15-20 minutes cycle ride. We bear in mind whether you cycle when arranging the placements.

Why no STIMULUS in the Easter term?

By the time we take out half-term week, there's only about three weeks before you start exams, so it's not worth starting new placements. However, if you've been in a school in the Lent term, you are entirely welcome to arrange with the school to continue in the Easter term if you'd like to.

Read the Student Volunteers Booklet

You should be given a Student Volunteer's Booklet at the briefings, but it's also available here.

Quotes from volunteers

• In Cambridge it's easy to get overwhelmed by the fairly claustrophobic atmosphere and I found helping in a school put everything back into perspective again!
• I enjoyed helping in the school, and it is great to help assist the pupils with their academic problems. It's also good for reinforcing your own knowledge of the subject, as well as learning how to explain the information in a suitable, concise way and an appropriate level.
• It's one of the most satisfying things I've done in Cambridge.
• It has greatly helped me to decide whether I will be a teacher in the future.