Volunteering at Our School
Join our school community
Our volunteers are a valued part of school life and can make a real difference to the experiences of our children.
Whether you can offer an hour each week, help with occasional activities or support us on school trips and special events, we would love to hear from you.
How could I help?
There are lots of ways you may be able to volunteer, including:
- 📚 Listening to children read
- ✏️ Supporting activities in the classroom
- 🎨 Helping with art, craft and practical activities
- 🌱 Supporting gardening or outdoor learning
- 🚌 Accompanying classes on school trips
- 🎉 Helping with special events and activities
- ⭐ Sharing a particular skill, interest or experience
You don't necessarily need previous experience of working in a school. We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, reliable and committed to supporting our children.
Keeping our children safe
The safety and wellbeing of our children is our highest priority.
Everyone who works or volunteers in our school has an important role to play in safeguarding children. Schools in England must follow the Department for Education's statutory Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 guidance.
Before you begin volunteering, we will explain the safeguarding and recruitment arrangements that apply to your particular role.
These may include:
- completing a volunteer application form
- providing references
- identity verification
- completing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where appropriate
- completing safeguarding induction
- reading and following relevant school policies
Please wait until the school has confirmed that all necessary checks have been completed before starting your volunteering role.
DBS Checks for Volunteers
There was an important change to the rules from 1 September 2026, when the supervision exemption for regulated activity with children was removed. Volunteers undertaking regulated activity must have an Enhanced DBS check with children's barred list information.
The school will determine the appropriate safeguarding and DBS requirements for your role and guide you through the process.
What will I need to provide?
If you require a DBS check, we will ask you to provide suitable documents to confirm your identity.
Depending on your circumstances, these could include documents such as:
- passport
- driving licence
- birth certificate
- recent bank or building society statement
Further details of which documents are suitable can be found here:
Already have a DBS certificate?
Please tell us if you already hold a DBS certificate, particularly if you are registered with the DBS Update Service.
An existing DBS certificate does not necessarily mean that another check will not be needed. We will establish whether your existing check can be used for the volunteer role you are undertaking.
Ready to get involved?
We'd love to hear from you.
Giving a little of your time can make a big difference, whether that's listening to a child read, sharing a skill, helping with an activity or joining us on a school trip.
1. Get in touch
Contact the School Business Manager on finance@chandlerjunior.school
2. Have a chat with us
We'll discuss how you would like to help and the volunteering opportunities currently available.
3. Complete the necessary checks
We'll guide you through any references, identity checks, DBS checks and other safer-recruitment requirements that apply.
4. Safeguarding induction
We'll make sure you understand the school's safeguarding arrangements and what to do if you have a concern.
5. Welcome to the team!
Once everything is in place, we'll arrange your start and welcome you into school.