Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Coram Beanstalk
Volunteers SchoolsDonate
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Get to know us
    • Our story
    • Our impact
    • We are Coram
    • Our people
  • Working with schools
    • Virtual schools
    • Early years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • School contact form
    • Resources for schools
    • Primary school information
  • Reading at home
    • Book of the month
    • World Book Day books 2026
    • Guidance for parents
    • Activities to use with children
  • Support us
    • Volunteer
      • Our volunteer roles
      • Training and support
      • Apply to volunteer
      • Safeguarding
      • Resources for existing volunteers
    • Leave a legacy
    • Corporate support
    • Challenge events
    • Follow our story
  • Latest stories
    • News
    • Blogs
    • Latest feedback
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Primary school information
  1. Working with schools
  2. Primary school information

Primary school information

How to help our service run smoothly

Whether you have had our reading helpers in school for years or are new to our service, it's well worth having a good look through the information shared here. You'll find downloads to share what we do with the school team and ways to best support your reading helpers... in our experience, the more valued volunteers feel, the longer they stay!

Helpful resources

Helpful resources

Here you will find powerpoints, posters, information leaflets, films and more to help you choose children, introduce our approach to class teachers and parents and impact data and reports to share with SLT. Read more

Published: 14th November, 2025

Updated: 15th May, 2026

Author: Kate- Loynes

Liaising with volunteers

Liaising with volunteers

Volunteers carry out a professional role in school as a reading helper, however, they do give their time freely and are under no contractual obligation. Here you can find our top tips to ensure they can effectively carry out their role and become a valuable part of your school team. Read more

Published: 14th November, 2025

Updated: 4th December, 2025

Author: Kate- Loynes

What do we do?

What do we do?

If you've got reading helpers in school, or have one about to start, here's where you can find out about what they are trained to do, the content and timings of sessions and the books they will be using. Read more

Published: 14th November, 2025

Updated: 3rd December, 2025

Author: Kate- Loynes

Share our volunteering opportunity

Share our volunteering opportunity

We need your help to reach potential volunteers. Here we explain why, and you can find everything you need to make this as simple as possible. Read more

Published: 20th November, 2023

Updated: 23rd December, 2025

Author: Kate- Loynes

Safeguarding

Safeguarding

Coram Beanstalk is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and requires all staff, volunteers and partners to share this commitment. You can find our safeguarding contact number and policy here. Read more

Published: 10th January, 2016

Updated: 4th December, 2025

Author: Anonymised User

Back to top

Latest

  • July 2026

    July 2026

    Our Book of the Month for July is The Wilderness by Steve McCarthy - a beautifully illustrated story that encourages young readers to step outside and find an adventure. This, and the other Beanstalk Brilliant Books we've selected, is perfect for some outdoor adventures this summer...

  • Coram Beanstalk at The Big Lunch

    Coram Beanstalk at The Big Lunch

    Coram Beanstalk reading helpers were celebrated at The Big Lunch during Volunteer's Week in June, with an afternoon tea and some very special guests. Read more here...

  • June 2026

    June 2026

    This month, we’re hosting our next Virtual Author Event for Coram Beanstalk schools with award‑winning author Ben Davis! We’ve chosen his latest book, Postman Planet, as our Book of the Month for June and we've found a range of other Beanstalk Brilliant books featuring post or letters for you to explore...

  • Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE

    Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE

    Michael joined Coram Beanstalk as an Ambassador in November 2017 and continues to be an advocate for our work creating readers for pleasure.

Most read

  • Apply to volunteer

    Apply to volunteer

    Ready to take the first step to becoming a reading helper? Check that you can meet some basic practicalities and fill in our application form here.

  • Frequently asked questions

    Frequently asked questions

    You may have some questions in your mind before you fill in your application form. Here are answers to our most commonly asked questions. If your question isn't answered here you can find out how to get in touch with our team.

  • Where we work

    Where we work

    Coram Beanstalk offers different programmes across the UK. Find out where we work here.

  • The benefits of being a reading helper

    The benefits of being a reading helper

    We know from our volunteers that being a reading helper brings purpose and enjoyment into their lives. Find out more about the benefits of being part of our reading community here.

  • Our approach

    Our approach

    Find out more about how we work and our approach to reading support.

  • Thank you for applying to be a Coram Beanstalk reading helper

  • Literacy charities join forces

    Literacy charities join forces

    On 1st November 2017 Reading Matters merged with the national children’s literacy charity Beanstalk.

  • Current vacancies

    Current vacancies

    Click here to view our current vacancies.

  • Volunteer agreement

    Volunteer agreement

    Our volunteers represent the charity in the partner schools that we work with. It is a formal role with commitments and expectations from us and you. These are set out in our volunteer agreement and role description here.

  • Training and support

    Training and support

    We know our approach to reading works and love to share this with our volunteers to help them start sessions with confidence, and continue to learn as they get to know the children. Find out how here.

  • Follow our story

  • Become part of a community passionate about reading for pleasure and wellbeing and keep up to date with everything we’re working on.

Useful links

  • Terms & conditions 
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookie policy
  • Compliments and complaints policy
  • Reporting a safeguarding issue
  • Accessibility
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap

Volunteer portal

  • Click on the button below to log in to our volunteer portal

  • Volunteer portal

Follow us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram

Copyright © 2026 Coram Beanstalk. Coram Beanstalk,
Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ.

  • Coram Beanstalk is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

  • Registered Charity No. 296454 (England and Wales).

  • Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No. 2101719.

  • All images are from Coram Beanstalk’s stock image library and are for representation only.

  • Names in case studies have been changed to protect identities. All rights reserved.

Coram Beanstalk is proud to be a lead delivery partner for The National Year of Reading 2026! 
Manage Cookie Preferences