Join us and make a real difference to a child's life
A Schoolreaders volunteer's time can be enough to transform a child’s reading ability, ensuring that they are able to get the most out of their education and enabling them to explore new worlds of knowledge, inspiration, creativity and fun.
WHAT'S REQUIRED TO BECOME A SCHOOLREADER?
If you have some time to spare, a good grasp of English, and if you enjoy spending time with children, you could become a Schoolreader. Our volunteers are drawn from all walks of life, and range in age from 18 to 92!
Our volunteers get enormous pleasure from seeing the difference that a few hours of their time can make to a child's reading ability, confidence and enjoyment.
We do request that you commit to a minimum of a year's volunteering during term times. However, time off for holidays and appointments is not an issue.
We will require you to agree to our Code of Conduct and have a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check carried out by the school. You may also be asked to complete further safeguarding training and to provide references, dependent on the policies of the school. Click here to find out more about the DBS.
GETTING STARTED
So, how does it work? To start with, you need to fill in our application form, either online, or by post. You will then be contacted for an interview either by telephone or in person.
On successful completion of this stage we will take information from you regarding your availability, the distance that you can travel and any other personal requirements. These are used to find the 'best fit' of school for you.
OUR CODE OF CONDUCT
We ask all of our volunteers to sign up to the Schoolreaders Code of Conduct which we have formulated in consultation with our partner schools. Click here to see our Code of Conduct. If you're ready to take the next step, please click on the button below:
WHAT NEXT?
Once we have identified a school suitable for you we will contact you to see if you are happy with the match. If you accept, you will be contacted by the nominated school to arrange a mutually suitable time for you to visit. We will send you a helpsheet so that you know what to expect at this first meeting. Usually, you will be given a tour of the school, start the process of your DBS check, and meet staff and children. The school will then be in direct contact with you regarding a convenient start date.
Schoolreaders will keep you informed at every stage of the application process and your Schoolreaders contact will remain available to support you and answer any queries on an on-going basis.
IT CAN TAKE TIME ...
The joining process is simple and we will make every effort to get you started as quickly as possible.
Please note, however, that depending on your location, individual circumstances and the level of need within local schools, it can take anything from two weeks to three months to place you. On very rare occasions, a match cannot be found.
FAQs FOR VOLUNTEERS
Click here to find answers to the most common questions that we are asked. Please do contact us if you still have queries. And read some of our volunteers' comments on their involvement in the scheme.