Following the government’s review of the pandemic on 5 April, we have decided that our volunteers will be able to resume their work with children at the start of the summer term, provided they are comfortable about going into schools and that the schools themselves are ready for volunteers.
Our Covid 19 Protocol described below remains in place to minimise the risk to our volunteers and to the children we work with.
With the continued roll-out of vaccinations and continued reductions in infection rates, we are very optimistic that our volunteers will be able to work uninterrupted in schools in school year 2021-22.
Earlier in the pandemic, we carried out a risk assessment and established our ‘Covid-19 Protocol‘ which implemented government requirements and, we believe, provided an environment for our volunteers in schools which was as safe ‘as is reasonably practical’. We agreed with all of our partner schools that they would perform their responsibilities under this protocol. Although the risk of infection has reduced, this protocol remains in place and is, we believe, necessary to provide appropriate minimisation of risk.
The sole change in the protocol as updated in March is to note that masks remain voluntary in primary schools, although they are now compulsory in secondary schools.
Our Area Leaders may choose to use video calls to replace all or some in-person meetings with schools and In-school Volunteers.
Our Mentors are not currently visiting schools. They are working together remotely to develop resources for teaching and for supporting our In-school Volunteers.
If you are interested in volunteering with us next year, do please contact us.
