Parent Helpers/Volunteers

How do I get involved?

Email Ben Parker (Head of Department) at bcparker@perse.co.uk and a meeting will be arranged to show you everything that is on offer. Do not forget that you can choose to do as little or as much as you wish!

What if I don’t have an outdoors background?

That’s not a problem. The Outdoor Pursuits department is looking for keen and enthusiastic people who are willing to give lots of activities a go and supervise students. You will gain lots of experience and all activities will be supervised by qualified/experienced staff. If you wish you can undertake accredited training through the department.

I don’t want to get in the way of my son’s/daughter’s experience of Outdoor Pursuits by being on camp.

You won’t! Just let us know if you have a son/daughter in the group and we will ensure you are allocated to different activities/groups/camps. We have lots of parents with students in the groups that are run and to date there have been no problems. You will be enhancing their childhood experiences by making them possible!

How much does it cost?

There are no costs related to volunteering or attending camps. All food, accommodation, activity costs and transport are provided free of charge.

What kit will I require; do I have to buy it?

You will need your own outdoor equipment. This should include walking boots, full waterproofs, head torch and day sack. The school does have a small quantity of kit to loan if you require it on major camps.

What will I be doing?

Volunteers and staff generally do what the pupils do, so a wide variety of fun and challenging outdoor activities. As you gain experience you may wish to run activities or even run whole programmes. Some of our more experienced volunteers run whole cookery programmes. When you start, you will be given a mentor and then it’s down to you.

Financial Questions

Can I pay for training sessions/trips using childcare vouchers?

Employer provided childcare vouchers may be used to pay for “qualifying childcare” for any child up until the 1st September following their 15th birthday (16th birthday in the case of a disabled child). For most children this will be up until the end of Year 10.

The school can accept payment in the form of childcare vouchers for after-school activities, which are managed, controlled and invoiced by the school and which take place on school premises. This includes payments for the PES subscription. It does not include payment for school trips or PES camps/off-site activities as these take place away from the school premises and therefore do not qualify.

How do I pay for annual subscription fees and school trips?

Annual subscription fees are added to your school bill, there is no need to arrange payment. Payment for school trips can either be made via the school’s dedicated payment system ParentPay or by cheque (made payable to ‘The Perse School’ with your child’s name and the trip written on the back).

The Perse School, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 8QF The Perse School is a charitable company limited by guarantee (company number 5977683, registered charity number 1120654) registered in England and Wales whose registered office is situated at The Perse School, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8QF