What do staff need to know?

It is important that all staff and volunteers are aware of the needs of school groups.

If involved in the school visit, staff and volunteers will need to know:

  • the purpose of the visit (including objectives of sessions if appropriate)
  • the timetable of the visit
  • who will be responsible for different activities
  • what their role will be.

If involved in communicating with teachers about services to schools staff and volunteers will need to know:

  • all the above
  • details about all resources for schools, and where they are kept, so that they can provide as much information as possible
  • how to book resources for schools i.e. what the museum needs to know/what teachers need to know.

It would be helpful to provide all this information in a special file.

The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum provides a Daily Volunteer Information Index which would be useful to museum staff too and which contains the following information:

  • Child Protection Policy (all volunteers are expected to read this)
  • School Bookings (copies of the booking forms for the day which include details of schools, numbers, times etc.)
  • Group Bookings (as for schools)
  • Courses
  • Events and Volunteers News
  • Volunteer Training
  • Volunteer ideas and comments.

Look at the page about Safeguarding on this website for more information about the kinds of policies and procedures that you will need to have in place when working with children and young people and which your staff and volunteers will need to be informed of.

Staff will also need to ensure that Risk Assessments have been made and of plans in place to diminish risk. Look at the Risk Assessment page on this website for more information.

The Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) have developed the Common Core of skills and knowledge which outlines the key skills and knowledge that everyone who works with children and young people is expected to have.

Websites: 

More information on:

Please note: The change in government means that some of the initiatives discussed on this page may no longer reflect government policy and may be subject to change as the new Government forms its policies.