"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

10 steps to getting a scheme up and running:

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 the company on this site.

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

2. Find a local school to partner.

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 (School coordinator) at the school.

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

4. Meet with the School coordinator.

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).

5. 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.

6. Arrange an Induction session for volunteers.

This is an important opportunity for you and volunteers to meet each other and will cover:

  • Practicalities of the scheme
  • Games and resources available
  • 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

7. Ensure volunteers are trained.

Ask all volunteers to register on the site, complete the step by step online training, and print out their Number Partners certificate. You might also hold a group training session using our training videos.

It is essential that all volunteers prepare themselves fully so that they and their Number Partner students can make the most out of their sessions together. This website offers simple, step by step online training and assessment for all current and new volunteers.

8. Complete the final checklist before going into school.

  • Ensure all volunteers have completed the online assessment and have a Number Partners certificates. These should be kept on file for all volunteers.

  • Ensure that all volunteers have police check clearance and confirm this with the school.

9. Maintain regular contact with all involved.

This includes:

  • Staying in regular conact with the school coordinator and all volunteers.
  • 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.

10. Review the scheme.

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

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

Before embarking on your role as a volunteer coordinator it may be useful to consider a number of questions, outlined here.