Gap
What is a GAP Year?
A GAP year is the year between finishing school and starting further studies, and will take you away from your home and normal surroundings. It usually refers to a year taken overseas, as a tutor in a school or as part of a community service project.
Why GAP?
A Gap year gives you the chance to live and work in a completely new environment. It is a chance to experience a different way of life, take a break from studying, challenge yourself, gain confidence, meet new friends, see new places and have an adventure.
There are various ways that you can undertake a GAP year. You might want to travel individually and find your own work once you reach the country of choice. A safer and more reliable way is to work and live in a school earning pocket money but at the same time being in a secure, stable and caring environment.
The information below will cover some of the most asked questions about the GAP year and outline the way you can go about applying for a GAP year.
Ways to organise your GAP year
There are various ways to organise your year away from home. Take care to be aware of the closing dates as they do differ. Do not worry about losing your place at uni – all you need do is to defer for the year.
St Andrew’s Cathedral School GAP Programme
At St Andrew’s, Ms Katy John will help you to find placements in schools overseas, especially the United Kingdom. Over the years personal links have developed between several schools throughout the United Kingdomand St Andrew’s Cathedral School. During his visits to the United Kingdom, Mr Phillip Heath has built up solid relationships with these schools and their respective Heads, and so there is direct contact that allows ease of placement.
There are numerous independent schools in the United Kingdom and the best way to gain details is to visit some of the relevant websites:
The Work - Areas Of Involvement
Tutors are expected to be part of the teaching staff of the school and will be asked to do many and varied jobs. These will range from the mundane to the exciting.
Most schools will offer a good mixture. At all times you will be expected to be proactive and willing to answer all calls which could include involvement in all or some of the following:
- Sport coaching
- Games supervision
- Camps / Excursions
- Classroom Supervision
- Meal Supervision
- Boarding House Supervision
- Individual Tutoring
- Assisting Grounds Staff
- Filing / Photocopying / General Office Tasks
- Involvement in Music/Drama
