They even promised not to eat anybody as long as their collecting tins were regularly topped up. Twelve students took part in the event and spent the whole day in costume. They proved to be very popular with the hundreds of children visiting the zoo. The costumes, which included two lions, two gorillas and a wolf, were donated by local fancy dress and costume shops. This year 90 students are taking part in the Student Tutoring scheme, which provides student volunteers to support pupils in local schools and colleges.
Aston students are involved with pupil, from infant schools right up to Sixth form colleges.
Some have even been spending their Easter vacation undergoing extra training to work in revision classes. Student Tutors are also involved in the Birmingham Reading Volunteers Partnership. This is a Pilot scheme that aims to raise the standard of literacy in the Birmingham area. The volunteers give up some of their free time to share reading with children in schools under the guidance of teachers. Aston University was selected as one of these and has been working in two Education Action Zones in Birmingham since February.