Reviewed by: Sarah Cokayne and Shakera Rahman , Resources Committee 28th February 2022
Next Review: Spring 2024
Introduction
At Kelvin Grove we value the support of volunteers in many aspects of school life. We have devised this code of conduct to help to ensure that it is a positive experience for all concerned.
If you are visiting the school regularly and your work involves contact with children you will be asked to complete a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. This normally takes a few weeks and you would not be able to work at the school until this has been completed. The school will advise you further on this when you meet to discuss your voluntary work.
Volunteers support the work of the school in a number of ways including:
- In the classroom supporting children with their learning
- In the forest school setting
- In the classroom helping the teacher with resources and the classroom environment
- Making and repairing resources
- Accompanying classes to swimming lessons
- Accompanying classes on local visits
- Accompanying classes on visits involving travel on coaches or public transport
Health and Safety
All members of the school community are responsible for health and safety. If you have any concerns about safety around the school it is your responsibility to bring it to the attention of a member of staff.
Safeguarding Concerns
If you have any concerns about a child’s welfare whilst helping in school please speak immediately to the class teacher or to a senior member of staff. The Safeguarding Lead is: Nafisa Ballard. You will be required to complete a training session with the safeguarding lead before you volunteer at Kelvin Grove. You will also be required to read Part 1 of the ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ annually.
Confidentiality
The school adheres to GDPR guidelines at all times. You can read our data protection policy via the link at the bottom of this document. You will form a number of opinions about aspects of the school, please remember that any information, especially information about children, is confidential (including information about progress, attitudes, behaviour, etc). You must not discuss it with anyone – even the parents of that child. If you are questioned please refer them to the school staff (usually the class teacher).
Phones
Please ensure that your mobile phone is off or silent when you are in classrooms. We do not make or take calls in the classrooms with the children.
Dress Code
Our children wear uniform and the staff have a dress code. Please ensure that the clothes you wear are appropriate for working in school i.e. smart/casual.
Smoking
Kelvin Grove School has a no smoking policy that covers all parts of the school buildings and grounds.
Siblings and other children
We are not usually able to accommodate other children, babies or toddlers on site while you are volunteering.
In the classroom
The teacher or teaching assistant will talk to volunteers about what the children are learning and how you can support them. Remember, you are there to help the children to learn NOT to do their work for them!
Visits
- Adult places on out of school visits are sometimes limited. This may be for a number of reasons e.g. space on the coach, requirements set down by the venue, cost, and appropriateness of the group size.
- If a visit is oversubscribed teachers will try to give you as much notice as possible about whether or not you are needed.
- Sometimes preference will be given to adults who already help in school or with swimming trips as they will know the class rules, children’s names, etc and may be better prepared to support the children and the teacher effectively
- The role of the volunteer on school visits is to support the staff to ensure the health and safety of all the children and to help to maximise the learning experience.
- We cannot accommodate younger siblings on school visits as they compromise the volunteer’s ability to support the children.
- As a volunteer, it is not appropriate for you to provide or buy additional treats, gifts or food for your own child or children in your group.
- It is not appropriate for volunteers to smoke on school visits.
- Mobile phones should only be used in the case of emergency.
School Policies
Further policies and information can be found in our staff handbook, you can access this through the following link:
(The school office will issue the password)
