GDA student assistants are an important and valued part of our team. We expect them to be organised, responsible, enthusiastic, and a positive role model for other GDA students. We encourage our student assistants to be innovative and open-minded, allowing them to develop their creative ideas. They must be great communicators and should possess excellent time keeping skills – reliability is key! Student assistants should carry a subtle air of authority without being bossy.
We expect our students to display leadership qualities, whilst remaining keen to help others. A cheery, positive, can-do attitude is also important when working as part of a busy team. Student assistants will be given the opportunity to develop their organisational skills by assisting the teachers in the younger children's classes.
The role may initially include, meeting parents at the door, taking the register, and running the warm-up games. Becoming a student assistant is a really positive step in terms of social development. Our Student Assistants report to GDA Ambassadors and teaching staff.
Junior student assistants will be school year 9, or above, and senior student assistants will be in school year 10, or above. They must agree to make the commitment that the position requires. GDA teachers will supervise student assistants over a 1-year period, gradually increasing their responsibilities over time.
Should students want to progress in their role, junior assistants will at this point be offered the role of senior assistant, and senior assistants will be offered the position of GDA Ambassador. Both Student Assistant, and GDA Ambassador roles involve mentoring our younger students.
GDA Ambassadors (aged 15 years plus) assume more responsibilities within their role, such as involvement in lesson planning, event organising and fund-raising ideas. GDA Ambassadors will observe and supervise student assistants whilst regularly liaising with GDA teaching staff to discuss their ideas for further expanding the academy. Their progress will be monitored by teaching staff over a 1-year period at which point, should they want to progress further, they may be given the opportunity to move from a voluntary role, to a paid assistant (aged 16 years plus).
This will also be a time when students reach an educational crossroads. Which course, college, or Uni? There are so many options and we will be here to offer advice and guidance. They will need to think about their long-term goals, whether that may be taking further exams, attending casting auditions, performing in live theatre, teaching, or even working behind the scenes!
Whatever route students decide to take, colleges, universities, and industry recruiters are often impressed by students who have taken on prior roles of responsibility, leadership, and commitment. We want GDA to have been a solid foundation, and an important stepping stone in the future careers of our students, and becoming a Student Assistant/GDA Ambassador is a great place to start.
