Volunteers

What volunteers can do

share skills such as: sewing, woodwork, playing a musical instrument, teaching art and craft techniques, planting and gardening, computer and other ICT work, cooking, reading and writing with the children in a variety of languages
help us take children on trips as part of ongoing curriculum activities
mend books, toys and other equipment
help setting up activities and tidying away afterwards
organise, help and support fund-raising activities
help us arrange and celebrate events such as International Day, Eid or end of term lunches.

Local volunteers

We welcome grown-up local volunteers when we have the capacity to do so. If you are interested, email the schools and tell us what you can offer and when. Find our email addresses on our Contact us page.

Parents and carers

When parents and carers volunteer in school, it can have a measurable and lasting effect on a child's experience of school:

They learn about how the school works, and help their child feel secure by showing that they trust the school.
They know what is going on in school, making it much easier to talk about it at home and to follow up on activities at weekends. This builds a consistent approach to a child’s learning, and shows a child that their grown up values their education.
They get to know staff, which eases communication. This builds parents' confidence and self-esteem, leading to more effective communication with primary and then secondary schools.
They get to meet other parents, become less isolated, and are able to give and receive support.

If you would like to volunteer, tell your child's Key Person what you would like to do and when you are available.

Induction

When adults volunteer regularly with the children, they receive an induction, covering things including safeguarding and health and safety. Regular volunteers working more than once a week must have a full DBS check.

Some parents may not feel initially confident enough to work with a group of children. We are happy for parents to work alongside a member of staff in order to learn the way we work with children. All regular volunteers will have the educational objectives of each activity explained by a member of staff and guidance given as to the most appropriate way to carry it out.

Before you start

Please click on the name of the school or download below our Student and Volunteer Handbook:

It has lots of information to help your time with us be more fruitful for you, for us, and for the children.