School Volunteer

1,750 USD

β“˜Β View full fee details

September for 11 months

Are you prepared to embrace flexibility and take initiative to immerse yourself fully in all facets of school life?

Our education placements are situated within traditional boarding schools or residential institutions catering to young people with specific disabilities, such as visual impairments. Students reside on campus throughout term time, and as a volunteer, your primary focus will be on boarding house duties. These responsibilities encompass various tasks, including wake-up routines, meal supervision, laundry management, organising bedtime routines, and other essential housekeeping duties.

In addition to boarding house responsibilities, volunteers will actively participate in homework clubs, evening and weekend activities, various clubs, sports, and excursions. Furthermore, volunteers will also undertake duties during the school day. If you possess particular skills, such as languages, arts, music, drama, or sports, there will be ample opportunities to contribute to the relevant departments.

Locations

The schools are mainly in rural or small-town settings in the Scottish Highlands, Yorkshire, Kent, Hampshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Hereford.

Work Schedule

Expect to be a busy and valued team member during term time. Volunteers have plenty of opportunities to explore the UK and Europe during the school holidays.

Age Requirements

Visa requires volunteers to be at least 18 years old at the point of application. Some placements require volunteers to be aged 21 and over.

Financial Reimbursement

Volunteers are reimbursed weekly towards their fees, flights, visa and travel insurance during placement. The reimbursement amount varies.

Teamwork

Volunteering at a school means working closely with a diverse team of all ages. You’ll always have at least one fellow volunteer by your side while collaborating with the entire local staff team.

Food & Accommodation

Some placements offer access to a shared kitchen, but mostly volunteers share meals with the team in the dining hall, where traditional English food is served (expect fish and chips). The schools cater for a wide range of dietary requirements. You will have a private room on campus, which could be in the boarding house or a staff flat, and a bathroom shared with other staff members.

Case Study | School Volunteer

Paula, an 18-year-old from Ecuador, and Lili, a 20-year-old from France, are volunteering at a boarding school in the English countryside for one year. We caught up with them a couple of months into their placement.

Paula expressed her enthusiasm for the varied excursions, saying, β€œWe go on cool fun trips every Saturday, from exploring London to go-karting, visiting Cambridge, and attending a video game expo or the science museum. I also escort kids and assist in the language department, teaching Spanish classes and offering one-on-one lessons to help their language skills.”

Lili highlighted the enjoyable nature of her interactions with the kids, noting their humour and sassiness. β€œI find joy in helping the kids with their French studies and offering personalised support. The kids are hilarious,” says Lili.

Programme Manager

Supporting volunteer journeys

The UK Programme Manager, James, prepares volunteers for their placements and provides ongoing support.

James, an advocate for international volunteering, draws from his 1986 gap year in Indonesia. With extensive experience in volunteerism, he held key roles at Project Trust, VSO, and The Prince’s Trust. He contributed to education as a curriculum manager and Student Services Manager. Joining Lattitude Global Volunteering in 2014, he later became CEO. Residing in Ryde, Isle of Wight, with his family and three dogs, James renovated a historic Georgian townhouse, once the workplace of Ryde Conservative Club’s first Chairman, who shared his name.

Fee and Other Expenses

Why NVW charges a fee

New Ventures Worldwide is a UK-registered nonprofit charity. The fee contributes to our operating costs and allows us to continue our mission of arranging volunteering placements for our global network of nonprofit organisations. A financial report is published annually to the UK Charity Commission.

 

Included in the fee

The fee includes a sponsored Tier 5 visa, a thoroughly vetted placement, an appropriate volunteer role based on age, experience and interests, a placement mentor, any necessary training, preparation guidance, a one-to-one call to go through the visa application process, ongoing support, accommodation, food, and a spending allowance.

 

Other expenses

In addition to the placement fee of $1,750 USD, you’ll need to budget for:

  • Return flights
  • Visa and any related processing or medical fees
  • Health surcharge (typically Β£1,300–£1,500 GBP, depending on your nationality)
  • Travel insurance (must meet the requirements of the host country)
  • Police check from your home country
  • Medical clearance, if required for your visa
  • Legalisation or notarisation of documents (where applicable)
  • Personal spending money for travel and free time

Exact costs can vary depending on your nationality, location, visa type, and personal circumstances. We recommend checking the latest official guidance β€” and we’ll happily go through what’s likely to apply to you during your interview.

FAQs

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What is the enrolment process?

After completing the application form, our team will check if you are eligible for your chosen program before inviting you to a Welcome Video Call. The interview is where you get to know the New Ventures Worldwide team, ask questions and get matched to your perfect program. Various background checks are then conducted before you are officially enrolled in the program.

What are the benefits?

  • See the world while experiencing a new culture
  • Experience personal growth, becoming more confident and independent
  • Make an impact working with international non-profit organisations
  • It looks great on your CV
  • Learn new skills for life
  • Gain perspective and understand what life is all about

Do I need flights and travel insurance?

Yes, you will need to arrange your own flights and travel insurance. You’ll need to send us your travel insurance policy details before starting a program.

Can a friend and I enrol on the same placement?

Being on a volunteering placement means you’ll always have a network of people around you, including locals and other volunteers. Providing a readymade community with local knowledge to explore, share, and create incredible memories. However, if you want to travel with a friend from home, let us know, and we can usually arrange for you to be on the same placement.

What happens if there is a problem during the placement?

New Ventures Worldwide has a Ladder of Support so you can see who to contact if you need help. Your placement will assist you in almost all situations. However, we also offer background support, mainly if a more serious issue arises.

Want More UK Gap Year Options?

Application Form

The journey of a lifetime starts here!

Applicant Details

Our placements are for those aged 18-30-years-old
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Placement Details

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Requirements

Fee and Other Expenses

Before you submit your application, please confirm that you understand the financial commitment involved. The fee for this placement is listed above. In addition to this, you’ll need to budget for return flights, visa costs (including any processing or medical fees), travel insurance, a police check from your home country, medical clearance if required, legalisation or notarisation of documents if applicable, and personal spending money for your free time and travel. Costs vary depending on your nationality and individual circumstances. We’ll go over what’s likely to apply to you during the interview.

Applicant Experience

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