We welcome and appreciate the support parents and other adults offer at school.  These guidelines provide general information for adults who volunteer at school.  More specific information about helping children with reading and cooking is also available.

Supervising children

Parents who work in school 3 times a month or more will need to be CRB checked. Those who work less frequently will be in a supervised capacity with the class teacher or with another parent helper.

All volunteers work under the supervision of the Class Teacher of the class to which they are assigned.  Teachers retain responsibility for children at all times, including the children’s behaviour and the activity they are undertaking.  Volunteers should have clear guidance from the teacher as to how an activity is carried out, what the expected outcome is and whether a record of the activity should be kept.  Please feel free to ask the teacher for further guidance if necessary.

• Praise the children whenever possible
• Always treat children with respect and in the same sort of way that you would expect them to treat you.
• If you are concerned about a child for any reason, have a word with the class teacher.  Do not speak directly to the parents of the child.  This is the teacher’s job.

Behaviour

Our aim at Collis School is to create a welcoming, caring environment where relationships are based on mutual respect.  We reinforce our high expectations for behaviour through frequent praise and encouraging children to follow our codes of behaviour.

It is important to let the class teacher know of any inappropriate behaviour.  If you let it go the children will learn that it is OK to behave less well for some people than others.

Confidential Information

Occasionally in school you may become aware of information about children which is confidential or private to the child or their family.  This is a delicate matter that requires a great deal of tact on your part.  Any information that leads you to believe a child is at risk should be mentioned to the class teacher or headteacher.  It is very important to treat anything you hear or see in school with regard to particular children as being in absolute confidence and entirely a matter within the school.

Security

All visitors are asked to sign in at Reception and wear a visitors’ badge.  This helps to identify people who shouldn’t be on the premises as well as being part of fire regulations. Please remember to sign out when you leave

Fire Alarm

When the fire alarm sounds, make your way to the playground with any children you are supervising.  Do not go back to the classroom.  Take the child to join the rest of the class lined up on the playground and stay there until the all clear is sounded. Please refer to the notice in each room.

ICT

Please note that children should not be given any unsupervised access to the internet.  All children are taught that if they see an unacceptable image on a computer screen, they must turn the screen off and report to an adult.

Scissors and other tools

Please help us to train children to carry and use tools safely.

Mobile Phones

Please avoid using mobile phones in the school environment.

Smoking

The school buildings and grounds are a no smoking environment.

Facilities

Refreshments (tea/coffee) are available for helpers in the Infant staffroom in the Reception Infant Base or in the Main staffroom on the first floor of the new building.

Please use the adult toilet facilities located throughout the school, and not the children’s toilets!

Your help and support is very much valued.  We hope that you enjoy helping in school and find it to be a rewarding experience.

Thank you