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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

Who is allowed to help in your class?

18 replies

Lel04 · 18/09/2015 20:34

Interested at the repsonses before I give a senario at my school. Is it children's parents, students? Who decides this?

Obviously, CRB is enhamced.

Many thanks

OP posts:
deriT · 18/09/2015 20:36

I don't really understand your question, but no-one, unless there is a Ta (usually there isn't).

Original poster
Lel04 · 18/09/2015 20:40

Do you have adults who listen to readers or who just give general support?

OP posts:
Littlefish · 18/09/2015 20:46

Students from the local colleges
Work experience students from the local high school
PGCE or B-ed students
Parents (depending on how settled their child is - sometimes we suggest they help in another class)
Grandparents and other relatives (with the same exceptions as above)
Pre PGCE students

I suppose the HT would have the final say if there was a particular group of people she didn't want, but we have a member of the SLT responsible for arranging all student and volunteer placements who co-ordinates all placements.

deriT · 18/09/2015 20:46

Oh I see. I teach ina secondary school, but in my kids' primary school they have TAs who do that. Not parents, and I would want parents to do it really. As a teacher, I can think of little worse than parents in my class.

deriT · 18/09/2015 20:47

*wouldn't. Exhausted, sorry

Littlefish · 18/09/2015 20:48

We have some adults who give reading support, including a couple of brilliant and very committed grandparents. Parents don't give general support in the classroom, they always have a specific role eg. reading, gardening, cooking etc.

Original poster
Lel04 · 18/09/2015 20:49

Thank you for the replies.

How would you feel if the CT's partner helped in the class? Not dressed professionally (in my opinion) He is not a student or parent just a boyfriend.

Sometimes it is difficult to take in the staff room as his familt member is also a pupil in Y2.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lel04 · 18/09/2015 20:51

talk* exhausted too deri and screen keeps freezing!

OP posts:
Boomeranging · 18/09/2015 20:51

My current school has lots of volunteer parents, mostly doing photocopying type jobs.

None of them are dbs checked because of the cost (although I thought volunteer checks were free)

My last school didn't have parent volunteers because they were considered more trouble than they were worth.

Otherwise lsas and students/occasional work experience.

Original poster
Lel04 · 18/09/2015 20:53

That would concern me Boom, CRB are free if helpers are volunteers. As a parent also I would not be happy with that.

OP posts:
Boomeranging · 18/09/2015 21:01

I don't completely understand it op, but dbs checks are done through county and whilst reduced cost for volunteers, not free (I've seen the invoices). I know the dbs for a volunteering role I have outside school is free.

Turnover of volunteers is high and current head's view is its not worth the time or cost and volunteers not left alone with children

I'm not sure about the partner. At the school where we didn't officially have volunteers some of the teachers' mothers did help out and they were invaluable.

Volunteer parents not usually invited into the staffroom

Littlefish · 18/09/2015 21:12

Lel04 - is he DBS checked? If he is, then I don't see an issue with him being in the classroom, as long as he has been given the usual induction and understands the rules on confidentiality etc.

Anyone who works or volunteers in school is welcome in our stafffoom. It is up to members of staff to ensure that their conversation is appropriate!

Original poster
Lel04 · 18/09/2015 21:14

I believe the cost does go to the LEA (no yes, not entirly free).

I just feel a bit weird in the staff room to be honest. Maybe I am being unreasonable. I know if it was my daughters school I would not be happy especially when parents are not allowed in the same class as their own child.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lel04 · 18/09/2015 21:16

Little, I guess he must be as school as quiet tight on checks, even school trips helpers need clearance.

OP posts:
MidniteScribbler · 19/09/2015 10:04

It's up to the discretion of the classroom teacher who they are willing to allow to help out. I have some parents who come in for reading some mornings, and I've had some of my pre-service students come back at times to help out. Parent helpers do not go in to the staff room.

WombatStewForTea · 19/09/2015 12:36

Is this a colleague at your school you're referring to? I'd find it a bit odd unless they were looking to get into teaching? But then I find it odd that our ht's late teen/early 20s children appear most days. Generally after school but have been known to sit in hog the staffroom to revise during the school day. They only live 5 mins away!

MiaowTheCat · 22/09/2015 10:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

spanieleyes · 22/09/2015 18:33

My unemployed son "volunteered" in my class whilst job hunting, there was no way he was sitting around home doing nothing! He is DBS cleared and very handy.
He is now training to be a teacherGrin

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