Notes for volunteers
First steps
Number Partners relies on the enthusiasm and commitment of its
volunteers. That's why it is important that all new and current
volunteers feel confident and comfortable when they are working in
schools and helping students to develop their skills with numbers,
as well as their communication and interpersonal skills.
You don't have to be a mathematician to take part! The Number
Partners programme is all about fun with numbers. It offers games and number strategies for dealing with numbers
puzzles. It's easy for volunteers to familiarise themselves with
these resources and strategies whatever your level
of expertise. The National Number Partners programme has created a
set of easy steps that all volunteers can follow in order to
prepare themselves fully and make the most out of what can be a
very rewarding partnership for all concerned. Even current
volunteers will be able to refresh their skills, find new ideas and
information for the programme.
What you really need to be is committed to giving half an hour
or an hour once a week or fortnight to being a Number Partner.
As soon as volunteers have registered on this site, they will be
able to begin taking their first steps towards becoming Number
Partners.
- Advise the volunteer coordinator for the Number Partners scheme
that you would like to volunteer
- Register
to become a Number Partners volunteer on this site
- Once registered, prepare yourself to become a Number Partner by
working through the online training available on this
site
- During your training, familiarise yourself with resources,
strategies and appropriate behaviour for your Number Partners
sessions
- Use the self-assessment tool to check your readiness and gain
accreditation as a Number Partner
- When you successfully complete the assessment, print
out your Number Partners certificate to show to your volunteer
coordinator and to the school coordinator when you have your
initial visit
- Arrange a police or criminal record check using one of
the organisations recommended on this website - this is essential
for those going into schools and will need to be presented to your
volunteer coordinator and to the school coordinator before you work
with any students
- After your volunteer coordinator has made an initial visit to
the school, confirm logistics and practical arrangements agreed, as
well as the needs of the students you will be partnering
- Together with the school coordinator, select, and familiarise
yourself with, the most appropriate numbers games to meet your
partners' needs.
Don't worry! There is comprehensive, step by step advice
available in the online training
section. If it's a long time since you've been in a school, you
may also be interested in the section
about education which will help you find out about the
curriculum in primary and secondary schools, as well as a
number of educational policies and issues relating to numeracy and personal finance
education.