Insights from a Volunteer at The River School

Holly Abbott

Long-time children’s and youth church volunteer 

Soon-to-be primary school teacher in training 

Current volunteer at The River School 

Six weeks ago, I was sat in an office counting down the days until I could be in the classroom. I simply couldn’t wait to start my teacher training. I left my job a few months early and began volunteering at The River School.

Why The River School? 

Thankfully, I have some lovely connections with staff and parents of pupils at The River School. 

First and foremost, my big sister: Mrs Grimes (I only call her that when we’re at school!) has been an incredible teacher for almost fifteen years. She now teaches Year 1/2 and will become Head of Primary in September 2026. I like to think I was her first pupil. 

Through church communities I have met several former and current staff and pupils at The River School. My wonderful friend, Miss Barron, attended The River School and is now an amazing TA in the Senior school. During our breaks, we get to chat about the joys and challenges of our days. 

I first visited The River School at the 2025 Summer Fair. I was struck by the beauty of the school. Gorgeous, vast, and carefully tended gardens. Exciting, adventure-filled outdoor spaces for play and Forest School. A welcoming, caring, fun community. When it came to choosing a school to volunteer at, The River School was my first choice. 

Forest School with Reception and Year 1/2

How Did I Become a Volunteer at The River School? 

After a few emails and a meeting with Mrs Mountford, the school’s Head of Administration, my DBS checks were underway. I read through policies and procedures. “Action in the event of an animal on the grounds (e.g. cow or dog)” made me giggle. It was necessary to clarify, as The River School grounds are full of birds, squirrels, etc. There is even a Guinea pig and rabbit hutch. 

A Week in the Life of a School Volunteer 

The week begins with Monday morning in the office. When I let Mrs Mountford know I have experience in marketing, she was very happy to have some support. Ironically, my first project after leaving my marketing job was to review and improve The River School website. It was a great opportunity to learn what the pupils have been up to, including woodworking, gardening, and school trips. 

On Monday afternoons, I join the Year 5/6 class. Taught by Miss Shirley, their lessons have shown me all sorts of learning activities. In studying the science of light, the pupils wrote and performed shadow box theatre productions, quizzed each other on Isaac Newton, and experimented with colour filters and prisms.  

During the week I have begun supporting GCSE exam invigilation. The River School kindly provided training on exam invigilation in addition to the standard safeguarding training for all staff. 

I spend Fridays with the Reception class, taught by Mrs Michaela. Fridays begin with assembly, where this term’s memory verse is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength”. The pupils have learned what this means and learned an incredibly catchy song that replays in my mind all day afterwards!  

Next, the Reception class practice their phonics and read their books. One very special (and adorable) day, the class visited years 3-6 who had created their own books to read to the younger pupils.  

After break, the Reception class join year 1/2 for PE. This term’s focus has been invasion games. The pupils have developed skills in dodging, defending, looking for space, and paying careful attention. I never liked PE as a child, but Mrs Masefield’s classes have been the first I’ve genuinely enjoyed.   

Before lunch, the class sings a lovely little song (Thank you for the world so sweet, Thank you for the food we eat, Thank you for the birds that sing, Thank you God for everything). After more playtime, the class don their waterproofs and join year 1/2 for Forest School. 

The staff and pupils walk through the grounds to the Forest School area, sometimes stopping to discuss the plants along the way. Mrs Parry reminds the pupils of her three rules and shows the pupils what’s available to explore today. The space includes a mud kitchen, digging area, bank to climb, footpaths, swings, sandpit, tunnel, shelter, and plenty of sticks and tyres. Mrs Parry provides a new activity each week, most recently making beaded necklaces and toy snakes from sticks. The pupils all know Mrs Parry’s catchphrase. She starts, “When I quack” (blow the duck whistle). They finish, “We come back!” After a tidy up, the pupils sit around the fire pit for a drink, biscuit and story. Forest School ends with The Lord’s Prayer, and we head back up to school for home time. 

Key Stage 1, Forest School

The Best Thing About The River School 

What stands out most, of course, is the children.

Reception is full of laughter, kindness, inclusion, and sharing. The class support each other through emotional wobbles, pray for each other, and celebrate when their peers learn something new.

The year 5/6 class love games and jokes. They take huge interest in their lessons and try their best, working together to learn. The class embrace their differences, celebrate each other’s talents, and support each other. Miss Shirley once told me this might not be the best example of an average classroom, because it’s the ideal.

Beyond the classes I have been in, I have seen pupils forming close friendships across age groups. I have felt welcomed by all the pupils, and the Seniors are particularly respectful and polite. One year 11 even asked me to sign his leaver’s shirt.

Forest School with Reception Class

Thank you so much to all The River School staff and pupils who are making my experience here so wonderful!