Have you volunteered at your child's school and did you do so in your child's class or another class?

[Pernickety]

I have a Y3 child and a Reception class child. I'm planning to volunteer in the school if they need me. I'm leaning towards asking to volunteer in a class that neither of my children are in.

Has anyone done that? Did you choose the same year group as your child is in or did the school suggest a class?

[NoahAndTheWhale]

I have a year 2 and a Reception child. I have helped before in their previous school and was in their classes - I am going to be doing it again here and will be with their classes again.

Some schools prefer you to be with a different class and some don't mind. I don't think they would have any problem with you being in a different class from your children - I imagine they will be very happy to have someone volunteering .

My children were fine with me being in the same class as them - I think some children might not be.

[Runoutofideas]

I volunteered in dd's rception class last year and am due to start in her year one class in a couple of weeks. Her school prefers to have parents in their own child's class - not sure why really. DD had no problems with me being in her class, and actually liked the fact that I was there.

[DilysPrice]

I did so when DD was in reception and helped out with reading in her class. I enjoyed getting to know her classmates, but she got a bit upset sometimes to see me there but not with her - sometimes she came into the library with a book to be with me while I listened to the other child (we used to decamp to the library, because have you ever tried listening to a shy four year old reading in a class full of other four year olds doing free play?).

Next year I asked about it, and was told that the new school policy was that I'd have to do it in a different class to DD - what with one thing and another I didn't get around to it, and the year after I'd have needed a CRB check, which I also didn't get around to. So your school probably has a policy one way or another (and will probably require a CRB check?).

[LublieAva]

I used to do it for my sons's year 1 class. I helped with reading, changing for swimming and an after school club. Whenever he saw me, he used to have this shy smile and he was really proud when some other children started saying XXX's mummy is really nice!
The only thing was that he squirmed if I spoke to him because he couldn't deal with the situational context.

[Hulababy]

I volunteered in DD's school and worked in her class and the year below.

I work in a y1 class at my own school and we have parent helpers in. The parents are parents of the children in our class.

[thetasigmamum]

I did when I was on maternity leave with DD2. I helped out in DD1's reception and then Y1 class. It was......interesting. I also helped out a few years later, when DD1 was in Y4, with their whole class music lessons (they were learning the flute, I play the flute and was asked to help by the deputy head). DH often helps out in class these days (he is a SAHD) and he tends to focus on DD2's class. In previous years he also helped out in DS's class but he's in year 6 now, so not much parent help needed (if any). I think it's nice for the kids to see their dad helping out sometimes, it possibly makes up for me not being at the school gates very often.

[Fizzylemonade]

I am about to start next week. I had to sit an 8 session course (2 1/2 hour sessions) to learn policy in school such as Health and Safety/First Aid etc also Child Protection and disclosure, sit a test at the end and have a CRB check.

Yes it is for a primary school, outstanding on Ofsted reports even after Ofsted tightened its criteria.

I am not allowed to work in the same class as my children or the same year (3 classes per year)

It is mainly to help with one on one reading for those who may not get as much time one on one reading at home. I'll be helping in Yr4.

Start by asking the school what you need to do.

[pointydog]

Yes, I volunteered. They specifically did not want me in my children's classes.

[HappyMummyOfOne]

Parent volunteers dont help in classes at our school but do assist with scenery, projects etc.

[aegeansky]

I'm guessing this is for supported reading/ guided reading?

Even if your DC are fine with you being in their class, some would argue that it's missing the point. I volunteered in my DCs school when in yrs R and 1. For a very short period, I was in the same class and even on the same table - far from ideal. I found it extremely awkward and in fact I overcompensated by giving him less attention than everyone else. How is that fair?

I think the point of volunteering, surely, is to focus on the children that don't have an adult to listen to them reading or interactive with them about books at all at home?

As far as I know, most headteachers don't advocate a set up where there is parental interaction with tone's own child in a class - it's to the detriment of the the others and potentially your own child's.