There are two main ways of helping:
Occasional support e.g. sports events or school trips. These are individual events and generally parents/volunteers only commit themselves to one or two occasions.
Regular support. This is when parents or helpers offer regular weekly support to the school for a period of time. Usually the commitment will be for a term and will consist of one or two timetabled weekly sessions. This would require a simple form to be completed with your details and we require sight of identification documents to process a DBS check.
KEEPING SAFE – Good Practice for Volunteers & Parent Helpers
Thank you for your interest in volunteering in school. Volunteering can take many forms and we appreciate the help that our volunteers give us to support the work of the school.
We value our volunteers and we hope that you will enjoy working with us. We have produced this guide to help you feel comfortable working in school and we hope that you will also feel able to ask any questions as they arise.
The points of contact for volunteers in school are as follows:
- The Co-Headteachers
- The Class Teacher
- The School Office to sign in and out
- The Business Manager for the application process and DBS Check
It is important for school security and fire regulations that all staff, visitors and volunteers to the school can be identified and located at all times and we ask you to follow the simple routine of:
Signing in and out at the main office, when coming into and leaving the premises
Wearing the Visitor badge we give you at all times whilst in school
WHERE CAN I WORK?
The application form that you need complete provides you with the opportunity to let us know if you have a strong preference about the age group with which you would like to work or if there is a particular task on which you would like to focus. We want you to be happy and we want you to know that we value your time and energy! Please note, if you have a child in our school, we can not guarantee that you will be able to volunteer within that class/year group. This is decided on individual circumstances, with the needs of the child being a priority.
HOW MUCH TIME MUST I GIVE?
We appreciate all the time you choose to offer. Some volunteers prefer to have a timetable. Some prefer to arrange single visits when they can spare some time.
All we ask is that you let us know if you have made an arrangement with the school but find that you can’t come. Your work in school is valuable and the teacher may have been counting on you to help with an activity that cannot go ahead without your help.
Let us know if you cannot come – please call the main office with as much notice as possible.
School is a work place and you will be supporting children’s learning and joining a committed team of staff and volunteers.
WHERE CAN I GO IN THE SCHOOL?
As a volunteer you will be expected to work with the teacher/s whom you have decided to help. For most of the school day, therefore, you will be sharing the classroom with the teacher/s concerned. The teacher will be responsible for you and if you are in any doubt about your role, where you should be working or questions about the school please ask your teacher.
Apart from moving about the school in the normal course of the day, we would expect you to stay with the teacher who will supervise your activities.
If you are with us during break times, we will let you know where you can take your break - the school is used for a variety of confidential meetings and there may be areas of the school that are not open to you. You can leave your personal belongings in the school office. Please use the staff toilets, children’s toilets should not be accessed by volunteers.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE A PROBLEM WHILST WORKING IN SCHOOL?
Our Code of Conduct will be shared with you when you begin with us and any problems should be raised immediately with the member of staff supervising you.
WHAT ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY?
We expect our volunteers to abide by the same code of confidentiality as all other staff in school. This will be discussed with you during the appointment process.
WHAT IF I AM NOT HAPPY?
If you are feeling unhappy with any aspect of your volunteering role, please speak to one of the points of contact detailed above. Please do not just leave. If it is work or other problems one of us will be pleased to listen and help if we can. It’s the least we can do in return for your valuable time and commitment!
AND FINALLY
We would like to thank you for offering to volunteer to help at our school. We regard you as a part of our team. We have a professional duty to you – just as we have to all members of staff
Please obtain an volunteer application form from the school office to begin the process of your volunteering role within our school!