The Students in Classrooms scheme is ideal for students considering teaching or education as a potential career and for anyone wanting to gain experience of working with young people.
The University of Nottingham works in partnership with Nottingham Trent University to provide university students the opportunity to work with young people in local schools, through the Students in Classrooms scheme.
Key facts
- 10 week placements in a local primary or secondary school
- 5-7 hours per week
- Flexible around your studies
- Paid opportunity
- Make a difference to the futures of young people in Nottinghamshire
The roles
There are two roles that University of Nottingham students can apply for within this scheme:
Literacy Achievement Coaches
- Placements in secondary schools
- Support pupils with their attainment and engagement with learning.
- Work with pupils on a programme centred around literacy to develop their reading and writing skills.
Primary Learning Advocates
- Placements in local Primary schools
- Inspire and motivate pupils to learn and realise their potential.
- You will work in a school alongside a specific class and teacher, supporting attainment raising by assisting with small group learning
- Providing 1:1 support to targeted pupils who are falling behind in their expected level for literacy for their age.
For further information including the job profile roles, please see here for the Primary Learning Advocate role and here for the Literacy Achievement Coach.
How to apply
Applications for 2025/26 are now closed.
Further information about 2026/27 applications will be posted on this page in due course. There will be an opportunity for students to express an interest in the scheme for 26/7 later in the academic year.
Application Process 25/26
The application process will include:
- Online application, including a situational judgement test.
- You will be required to undertake a DBS check and provide references to ascertain your suitability to work with children
Assessment Centres
Applicants shortlisted from the situational judgement test will be invited to attend an assessment centre on either the 12th or 15th of October 2025. Unfortunately, no alternative assessment dates are available. You can get support in preparing for these assessments through UoN Careers and Employability Service or NTU Employability.
Training sessions
Successful applicants are then required to attend two, compulsory, full-day training sessions for their scheme as follows:
Training 1:
Everyone must attend one day at the start of November, either Saturday 1st November (approximately 10am - 2pm) or Sunday 2nd November (approximately 10am-2pm) .
Training 2:
Everyone must attend one day at the end of November, Saturday 22nd November (approximately 10am - 2pm) or Sunday 23rd November (approximately 10am-2pm) .
Please Note: Attendance at training sessions is paid and compulsory.
If you are unable to attend the training sessions, we cannot take your application forward.
Due to the nature of these roles, you will be required to undertake a DBS check and provide references to ascertain your suitability to work with children.