Service and volunteering
Above : Students teaching local primary school pupils at Sevenoaks School STEAM Week .
Above right : Intergenerational connections are important for mutual learning and growth .
Below : Having fun over a game of boccia with Valence School .
School-based service learning and volunteering programmes can have benefits for the wellbeing of students . A meta-analysis of the impact of service learning across 62 studies and 11,837 students demonstrated significant gains in participants ’ social skills , academic performance , and attitudes towards the self , school , and learning .
Service learning can also build cohesion among students and their teachers , lead to a greater acceptance of cultural diversity , and increase knowledge of career opportunities . Service learning benefits are greatest when the service learning involves clear links to the school curriculum , student agency and voice , community involvement , and a reflection activity .
Case study : A service education
The ethos of Service and Partnerships is central to the Sevenoaks education .
All students are involved in service learning and over 500 students volunteer weekly in the local community at primary schools , care homes , and in school initiatives , such as environmental action , education action and action for biodiversity .
Sevenoaks strives to nurture socially engaged young citizens . Students are encouraged to appreciate the value of critical and empathetic reflection upon their actions , whilst also recognising the opportunity to use their educational advantage for the creation of a fairer society .
“ At first , I found working with Valence School quite daunting . Joining a class of children with complex medical needs was a very new experience for me , and I was uncertain how to interact with and help the children without taking away their independence . But very quickly , I learnt how easy it was to communicate with the children by becoming more empathetic .
What I ’ ve appreciated most is seeing the children ’ s joy each week . No session went by without laughter , a hug or becoming someone ’ s new best friend . Valence has become a unique and rewarding moment in the school week and I am so grateful to have been a part the partnership .”
Sevenoaks School student , Year 11
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