Volunteer and Student Policy

Download a copy of the Volunteer and Students Policy 2012

Introduction

Volunteers at our school bring with them a range of skills and experience that can enhance the learning opportunities of children at our school. We welcome and encourage volunteers from the local community.

Our Volunteers include:

• Members of the Governing Body
• Parents of pupils
• Ex-pupils
• Students on work experience
• University students referred to us by Student Volunteer Services
• Local residents
• Friends of the school

The types of activities that Volunteers are engaged include:

• Hearing children read
• Working with small groups of children
• Working alongside individual children
• Undertaking art & craft activities with children
• Running after-school clubs e.g. dancing
• Working with children on the computers
• Accompanying school visits
• Addressing areas of development highlighted in the School Improvement Plan,
• Supporting pupils who have been identified by the Inclusion Team as needing additional support
• Providing positive role models and one to one support

Becoming a Volunteer

Anyone wishing to become a volunteer, either for a one off event such as a school visit or on a more regular basis, e.g. hearing children read, usually approaches the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher directly.

Volunteers should complete the Volunteer Information Sheet (Appendix 1) with their contact details, type of activities they would like to help with, and the times they are available to help.

Before starting to help in school, volunteers should complete the Volunteer Agreement (Appendix 2), which sets out the school’s expectations of volunteers and asks Volunteers to confirm they have received a copy of this policy.

Our School Vision

All adults who work in our school, whether a paid member of staff or a volunteer are expected to work and behave in such as way as to actively promote our school vision.

Grazebrook Primary School is a special place full of learning, laughter and friendship and where all children are happy, feel safe and are valued.

At Grazebrook Primary School, we provide the best possible primary education in a stimulating and creative environment. The school develops a love of learning inspired by high quality teaching, developing and building upon individual strengths and talents. We expect all children in our school to reach age related levels, in line with national expectations, as a minimum and ensure that the barriers to learning are removed so that every pupil reaches their full potential.

Children educated at Grazebrook are open minded, committed and confident. We encourage a positive partnership between pupils, home, school and the wider community. The school values and has a strong relationship with its community, which develops individuals who will lead happy and rewarding lives.

Inspire

Develop

Excite

Achieve

This vision is underpinned by the following aims and values.

Aims

• To enhance the quality of children’s learning through highly effective teaching.
• To promote and sustain a challenging, stimulating and caring learning environment.
• To maintain high standards of behaviour through self-discipline, tolerance and mutual respect.
• To work closely and openly with parents/carers and the wider community to maximise children’s development.
• To continually seek ways to improve every aspect of the school’s work and life.

Values

• We will respect our children’s individuality, encourage creativity and assist them to make the most of their abilities.
• We want our pupils to leave us well educated, self-confident and caring members of society.
• We will endeavour to promote equality of opportunity for all of our children irrespective of gender, race, creed, ability or disability.

Confidentiality

Volunteers in school are bound by a code of confidentiality. Any concerns that Volunteers have about the children they work with / come into contact with should be voiced with the Class Teacher and NOT with the parents of the child / persons outside school. Comments regarding children’s behaviour or learning can be highly sensitive, and if taken out of context, can cause distress to the parents of a child if they hear about such issues through a third party rather than directly from the school. Volunteers who are concerned about anything another adult in the school does or says should raise the matter with the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher.

Supervision

All volunteers work under the supervision of the Class Teacher of the class to which they are assigned. Teachers retain responsibility for children at all times, including the children’s behaviour and the activity they are undertaking.

Volunteers should have clear guidance from the Teacher as to how an activity is carried out / what the expected outcome of an activity is. Volunteers are encouraged to seek further advice / guidance from the Teacher in the event of any query / problem regarding children’s understanding of a task or behaviour.

Health & Safety

The school has a Health & Safety Policy and this is made available on request to Volunteers working in the school. Class Teachers ensure that Volunteers are clear about emergency procedures (e.g. fire alarm evacuation) and about any safety aspects associated with a particular task (e.g. using DT equipment / accompanying children on visits). Volunteers need to exercise due care and attention and report any obvious hazards or concerns to the Class Teacher / Headteacher.

Child Protection

The welfare of our children is paramount. To ensure the safety of our children, we adopt the following procedures:

• All Volunteers are given a copy of the Volunteer Policy and asked to sign a Volunteer Agreement (Appendix 2)
• To ensure the safety of our pupils at all times, all of our Volunteers must have been cleared by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). A certificate is issued to the individual to produce in school.
• Where a Volunteer is engaged in a ‘one-off’ activity e.g. helping supervise a group of children as part of a class visit, a LIST 99 police check is carried out on these volunteers. These volunteers, who are under constant supervision of school staff and must read and sign our Off-site visit agreement (Appendix 3).

Complaints Procedure

Any complaints made about a Volunteer will be referred to the Headteacher / Deputy Headteacher for investigation. Any complaints made by a Volunteer will be referred to the Headteacher / Deputy Headteacher.

The Headteacher reserves the right to take the following action:

• To speak with a Volunteer about a breach of the Volunteer Agreement and seek reassurance that this will not happen again;
• Offer an alternative placement for a Volunteer, e.g. helping with another activity or in another Class;
• Inform the Volunteer that the school no longer wishes to use them. The full Complaints Procedure is set out in the School Handbook (available from the School Office).

Monitoring and Review

This Policy has been approved by the Governing Body and will be reviewed annually and updated in the light of new guidance from either the DCSF or LEA.

Download a copy of the Volunteer and Students Policy 2012