Top Tips for Schoolreaders Volunteers

Looking Forward to Another Great Year as a Schoolreaders Volunteer?

As a Schoolreaders volunteer, your time and care can make a real difference in a child’s life. Whether you're returning to the classroom or preparing for your first visit, here are some helpful tips gathered from experienced volunteers to help you feel prepared and confident for the term ahead.

If you have any tips of your own that you'd like to share, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch at admin@schoolreaders.org.

Start and End of Term Protocols

At the end of term and before the new term begins, it’s a good idea to contact your school to confirm or reconfirm your reading session schedule. The beginning and end of term can be particularly busy in schools, so if the class teacher isn’t available, try speaking with the school receptionist. They may be able to let you know about any INSET days, school trips, or other changes that might affect your visit.

Many of our volunteers wish to bring in gifts for the children at the end of the school year - this is very kind and absolutely not expected. If you do wish to bring in any gifts, please always check with your class teacher before doing so.

1. Build Relationships with Staff:

Establish friendly connections with the all staff whenever possible, especially those on reception. They’re often a great source of information and can help ensure your visits go smoothly.

2. Consistency Matters:

Request a list of the children you'll be reading with from the teacher(s) if possible. Encourage teachers to assign you the same children each week, fostering consistency. Periodically changing students, perhaps on a half termly basis, can also be beneficial if more children could benefit from your help, however how we are utilised is at the discretion of the school.

3. Address Preferences:

Ask how staff would like to be addressed and how they’d prefer the children to address you - whether it’s Mrs., Mr., Miss, or your first name.

4. Understand the School's Routine:

Reading sessions can vary from class to class. Ask the teacher to explain what a typical session looks like, including how you’ll know which child to work with next, and whether there’s time for a short chat or praise at the end.

5. Stay Informed About School Schedules:

Check for any upcoming INSET days, class trips, or events that may interrupt your sessions, particularly at the start and end of term. Schools all run slightly differently, and knowing the calendar in advance can save you a wasted trip!

6. Bring a Notebook:

Consider carrying a notebook to jot down children's names and the page they reached in their books. This can be especially helpful as children don’t always remember what page they got up to.

7. Maintain Reading Records:

While many schools may ask you to complete a reading record for each child, if the school doesn’t use formal reading records, jotting down a few brief notes after each session, such as what went well or any tricky words, can help guide your next visit.

8. Don't Be Shy:

Some people feel nervous about interrupting a class to pull out the readers – there is no need to feel you are being disrespectful. Teachers would usually prefer you to pop your head in to say hello and to let them know you have arrived so you can collect the first child.

Once you have started with one child it can be less disrupting to get that child to send the next one on your list - they tend to enjoy doing that!

9. Choose a Quiet Spot:

If you're reading in a public area, position yourself and the child so your backs are to the traffic flow. If it is busy and noisy the children can get distracted but having your backs to the hullabaloo definitely helps!

10. Bring Visual Aids:

Consider bringing props or visual aids related to the reading material to engage the children. Always check with the teacher first to ensure it's appropriate.

11. Promote Comprehension:

Encourage understanding by asking questions like, "How do you think the character feels?" or "What might happen next?" This helps children develop comprehension and analytical skills.

12. Tailor Your Approach:

Recognise that each teacher has a unique approach, and some focus more on volunteer readers than others. If children frequently receive books that are too easy or too difficult, consult the Teaching Assistant for advice on appropriate reading levels.

13. Assist with Difficult Words:

If a child is struggling with challenging words, read a sentence aloud, discuss it with the child, and then have them read the same sentence back to you. This method enhances engagement and improves vocabulary.

14. Be Patient and Take Initiative:

Understand that teachers are often busy and overwhelmed and may not always be able to make time to chat with you. Be patient and proactive, taking the initiative to build a warm and friendly relationship. Over time, as they witness the children's progress, they may become more engaged with you.

15. Adapt to Changes:

Lessons do sometimes change and this can impact on your sessions – you may have to fill in ten minutes if assembly or a PE lesson is scheduled and clashes with your allocated session time. When this happens it is fine to say to the teacher that your volunteer period is set and that because of the change you will have to read with one less pupil and pick them up the following week. Of course if you have the flexibility to stay an extra 10 minutes to read with them that is great.

16. Spread Smiles and Fun:

Finally, remember to greet each child with a smile as they arrive, and most importantly, have fun during your time as a Schoolreaders volunteer!

Bonus Tip: Encourage Reading at Home

If appropriate, gently encourage the children you read with to keep reading over the half term and summer holidays. Even just a few minutes a day can make a big difference and help them retain the progress they’ve made with you over the school year.