At St Martin’s Schools we actively encourage members of our wider community to be involved in learning. We recognise that they have skills and attributes that are valuable for learning and can help staff enrich the curriculum and help raise standards.

It is our duty to ensure that whilst you are engaged in voluntary activities for the school, we care for you and ensure your safety as well as that of the children. Class teachers will ensure that all volunteers working in their class are familiar with the procedures and expectations that are necessary.

We place volunteers based on the needs of the children across the whole school and therefore parent volunteers may be placed in a year group in which they do not have a child. We have a responsibility to ensure that all adults working for the school are suitable to work with children. This means that all volunteers will be required to complete a DBS check. All volunteers will be required to take part in a safeguarding induction (which includes a school tour) and complete Flick online training. We will also request that you complete a short application form which will include the details of two people who can provide character references.

Please support our children’s great behaviour by using the St Martin’s promises.

 

Role of volunteers in school:

Volunteers play a crucial role in schools, offering various forms of support that benefit students, staff, and the school community as a whole. They can assist with classroom activities like reading support and small group instruction, as well as school-wide tasks like event supervision and library assistance. Volunteers also contribute by sharing their professional skills, helping with school trips, and maintaining school resources.

 

Staff and Volunteers

Children address all members of staff and volunteers using their surname.

Volunteers are expected to be friendly and approachable with children but not become over familiar. For example, under no circumstances should a child be picked up or allowed to sit on a volunteer’s knee, even to console them if they are upset.

 

School Day Timings

The class teachers will advise you about the timings of the session in which you are supporting.

 

Security

• Please ensure that you sign in and out every time you enter and leave the building and collect a security badge from the main office.

 

Mobile Phones

• Please use your mobile phone in areas with no children, if you need to keep your phone in your pocket for any reason, please let the teacher you are with know. 
• Mobile phones and personally owned devices should not be used around children.
• They should be switched off or silent.
• Visitors should not use personal devices such as mobile phones or cameras to take photos or videos of pupils.

 

Refreshments

A member of staff may make you a drink at playtime if appropriate. Volunteers are usually not permitted in our staff room.

 

Emergency Procedures If you discover a fire:

• Raise the alarm
• Leave by the nearest exit
• Close all doors en route
• Assemble on the large field If you hear the alarm:
• Leave by the nearest exit
• Assemble on the large field
• Do not re-enter the building until given the all-clear by the Site Manager, his representative or Fire Brigade personnel

 

Health and Safety/Behaviour/E-Safety

The school has a Health and Safety Policy, Behaviour Policy plus an E-Safety Policy. You will be asked to sign to confirm that you have read and understood these important documents.

 

Child Protection

You will be asked to sign to confirm that you have read and understood our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.

If you have any concerns about a child, under no circumstances should you approach the child or discuss your concerns with friends or family members. You should speak to our Designated Safeguarding Lead or a Deputy (see below), immediately.

Mrs Down (DSL)

Mrs H Woolvet (DDSL)

Mrs R Duff (DDSL)

Mrs K Barrow (DDSL)

We ask our Volunteers to be mindful of confidential information related to individuals, both children and adults and ensure it is not shared beyond the staff team. The staff are professional and do not discuss matters concerning children or families outside the remit of their professional role.

 

School trips are an integral part of learning at St Martin's and afford many children opportunities which are outside their usual experiences. 

Role of the volunteer helper when on a school trip:

• To be responsible and look after, in equal measure in conjunction with school staff, all of the children in your group.
•  To stay with your allocated staff member / group of children, ensuring that their well-being and safety is maintained for the total duration of the school trip.
• To promote polite, respectful and courteous behaviour towards each other and members of the general public. We all go as ambassadors of our school.
• To ensure that the group you are with keep up with the body of the school visit party, be it walking, entering or exiting from transportation or following speakers for the trip.
• To contact your child’s class teacher / school member of staff if there are issues with first aid, safety and / or behaviour.
• To show commitment to your group, an interest in the focus of the visit and assist children in their learning by helping them to read signs / labels/ information, asking questions that encourage children to think. Follow guidance from the school staff.

What is not permitted?

• Volunteer helpers are not allowed to bring additional siblings on the school trip.
• Volunteer helpers are not allowed to re-organise school visit groups.
• Volunteer helpers are not allowed to smoke, vape, drink alcohol or engage in any illegal practices.
• Volunteer helpers are not permitted to take photographs of children.
• Volunteer helpers are not allowed to give / buy their group treats e.g., ice-creams, biscuits, sweets – before, during or after the school trip.
• Volunteers to be mindful of confidential information related to individuals, both children and adults and ensure it is not shared beyond the staff team.

First Aid

You will be made aware of who is first aid trained. This may be a member of staff on the school trip, or a first-aider provided by the supplier of the school trip. Teachers will be aware of any child in your group that has medication / needs and will advise if appropriate. If medication needs to be administered, this will be done by a trained member of staff.

Emergencies

We ask that you inform a member of staff as soon as possible, if you become separated from the rest of the school party. Please telephone one of the members of staff on your contact list or telephone the school directly.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones and personally owned devices should not be used around children. They should be switched off or silent. Volunteers should not use personal devices such as mobile phones or cameras to take photos or videos of pupils. If there is an emergency, and you need to use your mobile phone, please let a member of staff know.

Child Protection & E-safety

You will be asked to sign to confirm that you have read and understood our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and our ICT & Online Safety Policy.

 

 

Role of the volunteer on local trips:

 

 

What's not permitted?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Role of the  work experience volunteer (under 18's):

 

 

What's not permitted?