Work alongside us to support children in Reading

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us! We will keep this page updated with any opportunities that come up across Brighter Futures for Children.

However you choose to volunteer, you’ll be part of a supportive community coming together to make a difference to children’s lives.

Current volunteering opportunities

We are always in need of volunteer panel members, particularly during the busy period (March to July) following national offer days for secondary and primary schools.

Parents have a statutory right of appeal against a decision to refuse their child a place at a school they have applied for, in accordance with the DfE’s School Admission Appeals Code. The same Code also stipulates that the panel members who hear these appeals must be volunteers.

The Code requires the appeal panel to consist of persons experienced in education, but also lay persons with no experience in education.

If you’d be interested to volunteer on the panel, please see the advert here..

For more information and an application form, please contact Sarah Wilson sarah.wilson@reading.gov.uk / telephone 0118 937 2532.

To get a feel for the sense of reward achieved from being an admissions appeal panel member, you can read some of the existing members’ testimonials here.

Become a school governor in Reading

School governors are the unsung heroes of our education system. They are one of the biggest volunteer forces in the country, working in their spare time to promote school improvement and to support head teachers and teachers in their work.

Find out how to join this motivated group of passionate people.

Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) reflects that the quality of governors’ work is a very important. Inspection evidence tells us that there is a link between effective governance, the quality of leadership and management, and the quality of provision and pupil success.

There are a number of different categories of Governor: Parent, Staff, Local Authority, Co-Opted and Foundation, however, regardless of category all governors have three core functions with regards to the school, which are:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Once appointed, Brighter Futures For Children offers governors an annual training programme which:
• Provides up to date, focused programmes of training and development for governors/trustees and governing boards to help raise standards in our schools;
• Equips governors/trustees with skills and knowledge to be effective in their role;
• Offers support, advice, guidance and information in various ways to meet governors/trustees’ needs; and
• Provides a set of products to support the continuous relevant progress of governors/trustees.

For more information on becoming a governor watch this short video about the role – All pupils, every ambition – Governors for Schools
You can apply online to join the Governing Board of one of our local schools at https://www.inspiringgovernance.org/ or at About the role – Governors for Schools.

If you have any further questions about the role of governors please email school.standards@brighterfuturesforchildren.org or sarah.shortt@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

Watch the short film below for all the essential information about this rewarding voluntary role.

We are looking for Parent Champions!

Parent Champions are men and women who talk to local parents about their positive experience of using local services available to them.

Fill in our contact form and we'll get in touch
man in superhero outfit with daugther on piggy back
Yes, you will need to:
  • Live in Reading
  • Have a child under five
  • Use local services in Reading
  • Enjoy talking to other parents
  • Be able to spare 2-3 hours a week
  • Receive training in several different areas
  • Gain experience that will support you towards personal goals and employment
  • Be able to give back to your community
  • Develop confidence and transferable skills
Once you are accepted as a Parent Champion you will be given:
  • Induction and training to prepare you for your role
  • Regular support one to one or as a group
  • Essential resources including a Parent Champion handbook
  • Expenses e.g. travel costs

While you're here...Ever thought about becoming a foster carer?

(Foster carers receive an allowance so, unlike volunteering, fostering is a paid role.)

Enquire now!