"It is a welcome break from sitting at a desk all day. Just spending time with them re-energises me and makes me feel like I'm doing something positive."

Number Partners volunteer

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Notes for senior management

As a senior manager, you may not have time to be closely involved with the running of the Number Partners programme. However, if you agree that your company or organisation will benefit from taking part in the scheme, it is essential that you establish your aims and the level of commitment that your company can make with the volunteer coordinator responsible for managing the programme.

Questions to consider

  • How many volunteers can your organisation regularly provide?
  • Will you be able to invest in boxed versions of games for schools or will your volunteers work with paper versions?
  • Do you expect your organisation to be the school's only link with the business community?
  • Would you prefer to establish a small pilot scheme to begin with, building on this if the programme proves popular and successful?
  • Are there ways you could envisage developing your business partnership with the school in the future?

At the end of each school year, the Number Partners coordinator may be asked by the programme administrator to help evaluate the scheme. This is a useful way to identify whether your own objectives are being met.

Further advise can be found on the Employers' Guide to employer engagement in education. This guide has been designed to help employers of all sizes get more involved with schools and colleges.