At Meath Green Infant School, we welcome volunteers to support the work of the school and to support those wishing to gain experience in a school setting.

The types of activities that volunteers are engaged in include:

• Listening to children read
• Working with small groups of children
• Helping with arts and crafts
• Changing library books
• Playing games
• Accompanying school visits

Becoming a Volunteer

Anyone wishing to volunteer in school on a regular basis should attend a meeting with the headteacher.  The meetings are usually held at the start of the school year but can be arranged at other times.  Before starting to help in school, volunteers are required to complete a number of forms including a Volunteer Agreement. A DBS is also required, which means that volunteers will not be able to begin volunteering until this is received.

Confidentiality

Volunteers in school are bound by our Confidentiality Policy. All staff members, voluntary helpers and visitors should be aware that information relating to individual children or members of staff is totally confidential. Whilst in school, volunteers may hear conversations which are of a confidential nature. These cover aspects such as children’s academic progress, behaviour, or home circumstances. All information relating to individual children and staff is totally confidential and volunteers must respect this. Any concerns that volunteers have about the children they work with or come into contact with should be shared with the class teacher and not with the parents of the child or anyone outside school.

Supervision

All volunteers work under the supervision of the class teacher to whom they are assigned and should be supervised by them at all times.  Volunteers should feel confident to carry out the task they have been assigned and should seek further advice or guidance from the teacher in the event of a query or problem regarding a child’s behaviour or understanding of a task.

Health and Safety

The school has a Health and Safety Policy. Class teachers should ensure that volunteers are clear about emergency procedures (e.g. fire evacuation) and about any safety aspects associated with a particular task (e.g. using cookery equipment).  If a volunteer attends a school trip, their emergency contact details will be requested. Volunteers need to exercise due care and attention and report any obvious hazards or concerns to the class teacher or the headteacher.