Volunteers enter school to act as positive role models (From Haringey Independent)

Volunteers from City Year enter Gladesmore Community School in Tottenham to act as positive role models

3:50pm Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News By Emma Innes

A group of ten young adults have begun a year of voluntary work at a Tottenham school.

The 18 to 25-year-olds will spend a year at Gladesmore Community School, in Crowland Road, acting as full time tutors and mentors.

Known as corps, the volunteers will run homework clubs and provide one-to-one and small group support to help struggling students.

They will also greet pupils at the school gates and get them ready for lessons with short bursts of exercise.

The corps are part of the City Year movement which originated in America and is now in its third year working with London schools.

City Year is an organisation which encourages young people to give up a year to serve full time as mentors to teenagers from disadvantaged communities.

Headteacher of Gladesmore Community School, Tony Hartney, said: “It is fantastic to welcome a City Year team into Gladesmore Community School.

“Their positive presence in Tottenham couldn’t come at a more important time following the riots in our community last year. 

“Many of our students lack the right role models in their lives so will benefit immensely from the additional support they will bring to school."