"What makes a good Number Partners session? Regular attendance, stimulating activities. The interest that the partner shows. Good resources."

School coordinator

Notes for volunteer coordinators

First steps

All employers wishing to be part of a Number Partners programme will need to appoint a volunteer coordinator. There is a coordinator handbook available to download which is a useful guide to setting up a scheme and ensuring it runs smoothly. The coordinator's role is to:

1. Register your organisation with the programme on this site. 

This will enable you to access the online assessment and receive updates from Number Partners

2. Find a local primary or secondary school wanting to take part in the programme.

If you would like support with finding a school, you could contact your local Education Business Partership Organisation or alternatively, your Local Education Authority.

3. Identify the point of contact at the school to be the Number Partners school coordinator.

This may be a particular class teacher, the numeracy coordinator or the person responsible for business partnerships.

4. Arrange a meeting with the Number Partners school coordinator,usually at the school. 

Discuss the following:

  • Police or criminal record checks. This is the schools responsibility and they should provide and process forms for all volunteers.
  • Students selected for the programme, their aims and needs.
  • The provision of suitable materials for the sessions

  • Arrangements for visits by volunteers (i.e. the room for sessions, time and day of sessions, signing in process and other relevant school policies)

Recruiting and Training Volunteers

1. Recruit volunteers. It may be helpful to download the following Volunteer Recruitment Poster to help you with this task. You can personalise the poster by inserting your own contact details. 

Internal communication is probably the most accessible and direct way to do this. For example, bulletins, email, posters, flyers, voicemail drops and internet sites. Guide potential volunteers to the website www.numberpartners.org and the volunteer handbook. You might also include information from your meeting at the school such as transport to the school, time and day of weekly session and number of pupils involved.

2. Arrange an Induction session for interested volunteers. This is an important opportunity for you and volunteers to meet each other and will cover:

  • Practicalities of the scheme
  • Strategies to assist children with mental maths
  • Tips on being a succesful number partner and gaining confidence working with children
  • Child Protection and Police check forms
  • Registering and online training for volunteers

You will find everything you need in order to run this session here.

3. Ask all volunteers to register on the site, complete the step by step online training, and print out their Number Partners certificate.  

4. Final checklist before going into school:

  • Keep Number Partners certificates on file for all volunteers.

  • Confirm that all volunteers have CRB clearance with the school.

Getting Started in School

1. It may be helpful to arrange an introductory session for all volunteers at the school before they actually start working with the pupils. This might include a tour of the school, meeting the school coordinator, headteacher and possibly pupils, the games available for sessions and signing in procedures etc.

2. It can be helpful to arrange group transport to the school each week in order to arrive at the school at the same time. It is also important for group cohesion and support.

Building a Lasting Relationship

1. Maintain regular contact with the school coordinator and your volunteers. This includes:

  • Sending a reminder email to all volunteers the day before each session
  • Encouraging volunteers to let you know as soon as possible in advance if they are unable to attend a session
  • Phoning the school on the day of the session to inform them of any volunteer absences. The school coordinator should also inform you of pupil absences.

It is important that volunteers feel supported and able to come to you with any concerns. It is part of your role to liase with the school coordinator should any issues arise.

2. After a term (usually 10 weeks) arrange a review with the school coordinator to check the programme is running smoothly. Prior to this, you may ask volunteers for feedback on the following:

  • Practicalities
  • Materials available
  • Pairings of pupils and volunteers
  • Any other issues

Further considerations

Occasionaly, the Number Partners Consortium may ask for your help in evaluating the scheme and improving the website for future users.