Volunteers, Visitors and Work Experience

I found my observation days with the Maths Department extremely useful and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The team were wonderful.

Visitors* are welcome at Cheam High School by prior arrangement.

*A visitor (apart from the exceptions listed) is used here as a term for someone who is coming in to observe a particular subject/department or carry out work experience for training or personal development purposes.

Exceptions

Staff employed by agencies that work with the school on a regular basis e.g. maintenance staff, careers' advisors, mentors, police

Exam board officials or moderators

PGCE course tutors

Peripatetic teachers

Parents

Ad Hoc meetings e.g. sales meeting

Cheam High School is pleased to offer the following types of ‘training and development’ visits:

Observation only - placements for anyone wishing to observe lessons in a secondary school ahead of Initial Teacher Training - usually for 1 to 5 days maximum.

‘Best Practice Visits’ – for staff/colleagues from other schools to both share expertise and learn from our outstanding practice.

Work Experience placements - for students wishing to gain extended experience of working in a secondary school either as part of a recognised college course or before starting Initial Teacher Training - for up to a maximum of 20 days.

These types of visits are dependent on completion of a booking form and a satisfactory Barred List check (where appropriate) having been carried out by the school beforehand.

Volunteers

Long term voluntary placements may be available for anyone who wishes to gain regular unpaid employment usually to support study or career development. We ask where possible that volunteers commit to a regular day/time for a minimum of two terms with us – most voluntary placements are for the academic year.

Under ‘Safer Recruitment’ guidelines all voluntary placements are subject to a full application process including references, informal interview and completion of a satisfactory DBS check. Placements are again at the discretion of the relevant subject leader and senior management according to commitments within the department/school.

All observers, work experience students or volunteers must be 19 years of age or older.

Your Visit

All visitors must complete a booking form prior to their visit.  It is expected that you will comply with supervision arrangements made for your visit.

For safeguarding, security and health and safety reasons please sign in at site reception on arrival at school each day (for the duration of your placement) and sign back out when you leave.

We ask that you provide photographic ID on arrival e.g. driving licence, passport or preferably school or organisation ID.

Please collect a visitor badge from site reception on arrival. This should be clearly displayed at all times while you are on site. If you have been issued with a CHS ID Card please ensure that this is worn at all times.

Car parking is very limited on site however if you require special parking arrangements please let us know.

Equal Opportunities Policy

Cheam High School values diversity, and has an Equalities Policy to ensure that everyone within the school community is treated fairly, irrespective of race, gender, disability, sexuality or age.

If you require any special access arrangements, adjustments or adaptations to help you during your placement with us please let us know.

An excellent visit!

Please email all enquiries to training@cheam.sutton.sch.uk