Classroom Assistant in St Lucia
Volunteer with reception children and help develop their educational and emotional development.
Program Description
This programme offers our volunteers the opportunity to work with children in a classroom setting, perfect for anyone considering a teaching career. By supporting teachers you will gain practical experience and have the opportunity to help in overcrowded and underfunded schools.
You will be based in the reception class at Marchand Combined School, a primary school we have been working with for almost a decade. The school is based in one of the most disadvantaged areas of Castries, with many of the children coming from vulnerable backgrounds. A lack of resources within the school means classes are overcrowded, with the teacher to pupil ratios often too much for the teachers to manage, making classroom assistance essential to quality of care and education within the school.
Aims & Objectives
As a classroom assistant, you will work with children aged 4-5 in their first year of primary school. The teaching is ‘early years’ education and covers all subjects i.e English, Maths, Art, Sport. The aim of this programme is to support our partner school and the Marchand community by providing extra teaching assistance for underprivileged and vulnerable preschool/reception children.
You’ll work with the same group of children for the duration of your stay, with the aim of enhancing their early year’s development and their overall ability to cope within school life.
Schedule
You will work Monday to Thursday (Fridays are optional), each working day starts from 8:45 am through to 2:45 pm. Evenings and weekends are free time but are filled with lots of options for various social activities and excursions with other volunteers.
Program participant criteria
Participants must be a minimum of 18 years old, there is no maximum age, but any prospective volunteers should be informed that the majority of other participants will be between 18 and 25 years old. No teaching qualifications are required but an ability and understanding of early years development is important as well as a passion and enthusiasm for working with children. It is also important to be flexible and use initiative as the schools are not always be well organised or well run so supervision and guidance can be minimal.
Teaching placement is not possible during school holidays, participants staying during these times can partake in sport coaching placements for these periods
Project Overview
Included
- Accommodation
- Airport transfers
- 24-hour assistance from our in-country team
- Coaching placements
- Welcome orientation
- Pre-departure support
- Transport to and from training sessions,
- Coaching shirt
- Breakfast
Not Included
- Flights
- Visa
- Additional food
- Excursions
| Project Length | Cost |
|---|---|
| Two Weeks | £695 |
| Four Weeks | £1195 |
| Six Weeks | £1595 |
| Eight Weeks | £1995 |
| Ten Weeks | £2395 |
| Twelve Weeks | £2795 |
Dates for 2022 Projects
| Project Start Date | Duration |
|---|---|
| 4th February | 2 to 30 Weeks |
| 18th February | 2 to 28 Weeks |
| 4th March | 2 to 26 Weeks |
| 18th March | 2 to 24 Weeks |
| 1st April | 2 to 22 Weeks |
| Project Start Date | Duration |
|---|---|
| 15th April | 2 to 20 Weeks |
| 29th April | 2 to 18 Weeks |
| 13th May | 2 to 16 Weeks |
| 27th May | 2 to 14 Weeks |
| 10th June | 2 to 12 Weeks |
| Project Start Date | Duration |
|---|---|
| 24th June | 2 to 10 Weeks |
| 8th July | 2 to 8 Weeks |
| 22nd July | 2 to 6 Weeks |
| 5th August | 2 to 4 Weeks |
| 19th August | 2 Weeks |