Volunteers
At St Martin's we welcome volunteers to support the work of the school, and we support those wishing to gain experience of working in a school setting. 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.
The are various opportunities to volunteer throughout the school year. This includes volunteering in school (this might be regularly coming into school and will therefore require a DBS check), Volunteering on school trips (this might be a one offer to volunteer for a specific school trip) and volunteering with local trips, e.g. walking with the child to the church (this is helping with road crossing for a specific local walk, such as one of our services, held at St Martins Church). For more information please click the drop down boxes below.
Volunteers in school
Role of volunteers in school:
What is not permitted?
Volunteers on school trips
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.
Volunteers with local trips (e.g. walking to the church)
Role of the volunteer on local trips:
What's not permitted?
Work Experience (Under 18's)
Role of the work experience volunteer (under 18's):
What's not permitted?