On the 23rd November, three of the Yipiyap tutors who are applying for Medicine, including myself, went to visit the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, which has links to the Christie hospital, for talks and a tour.

I have recently taken part in an Army selection event to join The Band of the Duke of Lancaster’s regiment: an intensive three-day residential course, designed to rigorously access your overall capabilities and potential for a career in the Army.

The F1 in schools is the largest STEM competition in the world. The competition has over 40 competing countries each with 150 teams. After becoming the English champions at the UK nationals, team Sixth Degree was invited to compete in the 2016 World Finals held in Austin, Texas in October. Over the next 6 months we worked very diligently to gain sponsorship from companies such as, Airbus, Urenco and Nissan.

It’s definitely been a change of pace for me; going from a student to a teacher’s position in a matter of months. Fascinating and eye-opening would be some relevant terms to describe it all. Not only witnessing, but being part of the ‘behind the scenes’ of the type of work that goes into education has truly been enchanting.

After the success of our recent self-defence workshop for tutors, we were so impressed with Joel Eccleston – the 10 year old Karate champion from Warrington who inspired the event – that we have decided to support Joel with our sponsorship. 

Here is our team photo for 2016/7 – so many young inspiring people looking forward to a wonderful year with YY. Can you spot your tutor?!

This lovely picture of two of our tutors was drawn by a student of Manchester Creative and Media Academy.

Jess and Anne were delighted to be invited to attend a meeting at New Charter Academy today and we will be starting our first support in Tameside after half term.

I LIKE northern coastal cities. They have great energy, docks lively with constantly visible trade and endeavour, invigorating weather and a sense of adventure through living on the edge.

Yipiyap is an Altrincham-based company that recruits school leavers who have chosen to take a gap year and arranges paid placements for them supporting pupils as in-school tutors during their year out.

Word of our support has now spread outside the North West with recent enquiries from schools in Hull, Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

Last week saw 15 yipiyap tutors and a number of our school staff and pupils taking time out to be caught on camera for three short films we are putting together.

One of the things I’ve come to appreciate and be inspired by over recent years is the whole concept of innovation – the capacity to do things differently and, by implication, better. Innovation in any area is exciting but of particular interest to me, of course, are any new ideas in the field of education.

Anne was asked by Education Today to comment on how formal peer mentoring can present a fantastic solution for schools requiring alternative provision. Read the full comment here.

A-level results day is upon us once again; a time of celebration, commiseration and evaluation for teenagers up and down the country – and for their parents too. Here, Anne Morris, founder of Yipiyap, offers her top tips on some of the options available after the big day has dawned.

I always knew that I’d be taking a gap year – I was more confident of that than my choice of university! This was mainly because I was certain that I’d be ready for a break after my A-levels and would want to consider my options before leaping straight back into more exams and more revision.

Anne is featured in this week’s edition of the publication Schools Week explaining the benefits of formalised peer mentoring as a means of delivering alternative provision.

On 13th July, Gurcharan, Saber, and Mehr gave up their Saturday morning to help at the Rack House Primary School Fair.  yipiyap sponsored a candy floss and popcorn stand at the fair which proved very popular with children, parents and staff!

A number of the schools and colleges we recruit from will be handing out our eye-catching fortune cookies on Monday 17th August – A-Level results day.