Volunteering at West Hoathly School
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at West Hoathly School. In order to ensure that your time with us is of the greatest benefit to you and the children we ask that you follow these guidelines:
What do we expect from you?
· On arrival at the school please sign in at Reception and ask for a visitors badge. Any adults in school/working with children without a badge will be challenged as part of our Safeguarding culture.
· Please phone the School Office on 01342 810302 to let us know if you are unable to attend or may be delayed so we can inform the teacher and pupils.
· At Forest School the children use first names, rather than surnames. This is a different ethos compared to if you were volunteering in school.
· Dissuade the children from becoming overly familiar or physical with you so as to maintain a good professional, working relationship with them.
· Volunteers should not change a child or take them into the toilets. If a child needs changing, please notify a member of staff.
· Please keep your mobile device in your pocket and DO NOT take photos.
Child Protection and Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and meeting the needs of all our children and all those who come into contact with children through their everyday work, whether paid or voluntary, are responsible for their own actions and behaviour.
If a child discloses anything to you that causes you concern or you observe something about a child which worries you, you should report it directly and as soon as possible to a member of the teaching team who in turn will report to our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) who are:
Samantha Dann, Headteacher
Tracy Hemsley, Assistant Headteacher
Tina Allen, School Business Manager
Simon Hasan, Teaching Assistant
Alternatively, please report to the DSL directly.
In addition, we ask all volunteers to read ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ - Part 1 - which can be found below.
Emergency Procedures
In the event of an emergency please alert a member of staff who will raise the alarm and follow the emergency procedure plan.
Confidentiality
You will be working in a position where you must respect the children’s and professional adults’ confidentiality. You should therefore not discuss the children’s work, behaviour or other professional matters with anyone other than their Class Teacher.
Should you have any concerns, they can be raised initially with the Class Teacher or a member of the school’s Leadership Team.
Declaration
We require all volunteers to confirm that they have read the following documention using this link
Keeping Children Safe in Education Part 1
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Forest School Handbook (if applicable)
Volunteer Check List – Fill in form