About the event
Interested in volunteering in a Coventry primary or secondary school through our School Experiences programme? This essential four-hour training is the first step before you can apply for a school placement.
Whether you will be reading with pupils, supporting classroom activities, helping teachers or contributing to extracurricular opportunities, thi training will help you feel informed, capable and ready to volunteer safely. You will learn about safeguarding, professional boundaries, communication and the day-to-day realities in a school.
You do not need to be considering a teaching career. Volunteering in schools is a valuable way to build transferable skills that employers value in every sector, including communicating with different audiences, working in a team, taking responsibility, adapting your approach, solving problems and building confidence.
What will we cover?
Safeguarding essentials: The DBS process (covered by us), child-protection basics, professional boundaries and what to do if you have a concern. DBS and safeguarding requirements are central to safe volunteering with children and young people in schools.
Communication and inclusion: How to engage pupils of different ages, communicate clearly, manage group dynamics and adapt your approach for Coventry's diverse pupils.
Supporting learning: An introduction to lesson planning, classroom routines, behaviour-management approaches and practical strategies for common challenges.
Your placement: An overview of our school partners, the types of opportunities available, expectations around dress, punctuality, preparation and professional conduct.
Career development: How to reflect on your experience and turn it into strong examples for your CV, LinkedIn profile, applications and interviews.
Who should attend?
Students who want practical experience supporting children and young people.
Students considering teaching, youth work, education, social care, psychology, community development or other child-focused careers.
Anyone looking to strengthen transferable employability skills through meaningful volunteering.
Students who want to make a positive difference in local Coventry schools and communities.
Why get involved?
You could gain 10 or more hours of practical experience while working with local schools, supporting children and young people, and developing examples you can use in future applications. The experience can help you build confidence speaking to groups, responding to challenges and working professionally with people from different backgrounds.
You will also join a wider group of students committed to supporting local pupils and creating positive community impact. School volunteering gives you a strong example of initiative, responsibility and civic engagement—whether your future lies in education, business, healthcare, law, marketing, technology or another field.
What happens next?
Places are limited, so book your training place now. Completing this workshop is required before applying for a School Experiences placement.
We will cover the cost of the Enhanced DBS checks with children’s barred-list information which is required for the placement. Please note that volunteering cannot begin until DBS and any relevant school checks have been completed; placements are therefore expected to start 4-8 weeks after the training. A DBS check is a requirement for volunteers undertaking regulated activity with children, which may include teaching, training, instructing or supervising children on a regular basis.