I am an undergraduate student studying English Literature at the University of Warwick. When I graduate, I would like to become a secondary English teacher. I really enjoy university and feel that it is a positive and wonderful experience because I’ve met lots of new people, and I enjoy taking part in various events, and studying the modules that I have chosen.
Tell us about the programme you coached on - what school, the rough location, and how long were the sessions?
Over the summer term, I coached on a programme for A-level students from disadvantaged backgrounds. I coached A-level English Language and Literature for a student in Year 12 via online sessions. The sessions were approximately 1 hour long.
What have you enjoyed most about the CoachBright programme?
I’ve enjoyed witnessing my student progress and build confidence within various topics, especially because they were struggling with learning new English terminology and also how to write essays. It was really positive to see the student work on their essay skills and understand the terminology better as our sessions progressed. It was also exciting to see the student grow as an individual and become more of an independent learner.
What skills and experiences have you gained from being a volunteer coach?
For me, as a volunteer coach, I have really built upon my education leadership skills because I have learnt how to effectively work with my student and lead sessions whilst also listening to the student’s suggestions and creating a sense of teamwork to help their learning goals.
I also developed my organisational skills, as I was balancing my personal commitments with my studies alongside CoachBright work. I learnt how to organise my time by adjusting my schedule to fit all my commitments, whilst also dedicating time to prepare for my coaching sessions to remain an effective coach, whilst also working on my exams.
How does CoachBright’s mission statement, ‘coaching young people to be confident, independent and resilient so they can lead the lives they want,’ resonate with you?
It really resonates with me because I come from an area in Luton where there are many students from different backgrounds, including more disadvantaged backgrounds. That makes it important for me to help other students get equal chances to achieve their potential and unlock opportunities beyond school and college.
In your opinion, how important is coaching for young people?
It is very important because students have individual learning needs that may not be met in a classroom due to the large size of classes. It is also proven to be an effective learning method, working in small groups or 1:1 with a coach. Coaching can offer that tailored, personalised support that students need.
Give us one sentence for someone who’s considering taking part in the CoachBright programme.
I highly recommend working with CoachBright. Becoming a coach is a really positive and rewarding experience and anyone who is interested in becoming a coach will be contributing to the fight against educational inequality. Also, working with young people is fantastic.
In conclusion, the challenge to raise poor school attainment and attendance is not just a school issue. As the Department for Education itself states, it is everyone’s responsibility. The rise in school absences is widening educational inequality and harming children’s long-term prospects. To truly address this challenge, we need a collaborative approach that recognises the complex barriers to attendance and provides children with the support they need to succeed.