Many of you each year, ask us to help arrange a placement in a local primary or secondary school.  There are many friendly local schools who would welcome student volunteers, especially those who can commit to a day each week.  Volunteering in a school is essential if you are planning or considering doing a PGCE in the future.  It is also great experience working with people and working for a large public institution. 

Here are some tips for finding yourself a placement:

• In our experience, schools like it best when students contact them directly 'themselves'. 
• It is best to telephone them rather than to email. 
• If you are phoning a secondary school it's best to ask for "the person responsible for volunteers and/ or in charge of work experience". 
• If you are phoning a primary school, it's usually best to speak to the headteacher
• You can find a list of all primary schools and contact details on this link http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=2067
• You can find a list of all secondary schools and contact details on this link http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=7001
• Once you have spoken to a school  and you are ready to give it a go, contact Jill at FXU Community Action! She will send a form out to the school, ensuring that they have various important volunteering policies in place and agreeing who is insuring you etc.
• You may need a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check.  This should be done through the school, but if they refuse, FXU Community Action can help.
• You can claim any travel expenses to and from your placement (unless it is a one minute uneccessary drive) from Jill at the FXU.

Any questions, contact Jill on communityaction@fxu.org.uk or call 01326253631 (Mondays and thursdays) or 01326253665 (tuesday and wednesdays), or POP in to either FXU office.

Good Luck!