The TDA's Student Associates Scheme (SAS) runs for a further year and is now recruiting students and placement schools. The Government has announced that it intends to double the size of "our popular and successful" scheme over the next three years. The new Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills wants to involve 15,000 student mentors "supporting the next generation of children towards university or college".

This academic year, the scheme will again place 7500 to 8000 students in schools for a total of 15 days each. Approximately one third work in science and maths and most are placed in areas broadly defined as "of deprivation". About 80 per cent of placements are in secondary schools.

Further information

ITT providers, local authorities and schools should be aware of the scheme and the benefits it can bring. One estimate based on the NQT survey suggests 39 per cent of those achieving NQT status last year had first gained valuable classroom experience with the scheme.

The May issue of tdaNews gives a detailed explanation of the scheme; information for both staff and schools can also be found on our website. Schools and higher education institutions can enquire about participating in the scheme by contacting their local provider(s) who are listed here.

View more tdaNews for October 2007