Policy for Helpers in School
Aims
- To build positive relationships with all the adults who help in school
- To value and utilise the expertise, talents and interests of adults who come into school
- To enable the children to meet and work with a variety of different people
- To facilitate individual and small group work under the teacher’s supervision and guidance
Practical Considerations
Who helps?
At St Winnow we welcome a variety of adults into school as helpers. These may be parents, grandparents and other relatives of children in school, family friends, members of the local community and people who have a particular talent, expertise or interest which is linked to a class or school-based topic.
When?
In general, helpers are recruited at the beginning of each school year or term by means of a general letter or through personal contact by the teachers. Some helpers may be new to school, others re-recruited from previous years. Class helpers in one year may stay with the existing class teacher or may move with their child’s class.
If, during the year, other people ask to help in school, they are always welcome and are time-tabled onto the Rota list. Similarly, if a need arises for extra helpers or helpers with a specific expertise, a further letter will be sent home.
However, we do have to take into consideration the number of adults in a class at one time. At present the Rota is on a fortnightly basis.
Each year the new helpers are given our information booklet and ‘old’ helpers have access to it in the staff room. Adults help in school throughout the school day. They may be asked to help with a range of activities and tasks in and out of the classroom depending on their preference and skills.
Some adults who are unable to come into school but still wish to help may take jobs home to do.
All helpers are encouraged to be familiar with school routines and practices.
