Play Associate

Overview

We are looking for a Play Associate who will:

Interact with the children through play times and the lunch period
Promote independence and healthy friendships through creative and imaginative play
Work outside in all weathers and with a range of age groups
Help to develop the playground using the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) approach

As a member of our staff you can expect:

Brilliant children – enthusiastic and able, with excellent attitudes to learning
Strong leadership; a school that is well organised and managed
A fantastic staff; supportive and friendly
High quality CPD supporting you to be the best
Excellent resources

Job Description

Main Purpose of the job
To work as part of a team of adults including teachers and other support staff, to promote the learning and well being of all pupils. To take responsibility for the supervision, health and safety and control of pupils during the midday break both during dining and play.

Summary of Responsibilities and Duties
Support for Pupils

Supervise pupils receiving school meals and packed lunches ensuring orderly conduct and good behaviour.
Promote and encourage healthy eating and balanced choices of food. Be aware of the varying dietary requirements of pupils for medical or cultural reasons.
Supervise pupils in the play area or within the building in the event of bad weather ensuring that a safe environment is maintained and that the school’s behaviour policy is adhered to.
Promoting and raising awareness of the rights of all children to be heard, to play, to socialize and to learn.

Support for Teachers

Respond to the welfare needs of pupils by comforting them or applying first aid, reporting any concerns on the general well being of the pupils to the senior midday supervisor or the class teacher.
In accordance with the school’s child protection policy, report any concerns about individual pupils to the senior midday supervisor or the class teacher.

Support for the Curriculum

Encourage appropriate exercise and activities to promote the health and well being of pupils.
Encourage and develop pupils’ understanding of team activities as well as individual pursuits.
Support and encourage the development of pupils’ social interaction with each other.

Support for the School

Assist with any administrative processes involved in taking school meals and packed lunches.
Ensure that any people entering the play area from outside the school are identified and escorted to the school reception.
Maintain awareness and observe the school guidelines on security.
Awareness and support for the safeguarding needs of all pupils in accordance with school policy.

Equalities

Ensure implementation and promotion in employment and service delivery of the Council’s/School’s equal opportunities policies and statutory responsibilities

John Ball Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.

Person specification

Note to Candidates

The Person Specification is a picture of the skills, knowledge and experience needed to carry out the job. It has been used to draw up the advert and will also be used in the shortlisting and interview process for this post.

Those categories marked 'S' will be used especially for the purpose of shortlisting.

Equal Opportunities

Commitment to implement the Council’s Equal Opportunities policies.

Awareness of Equal Opportunities issues. S

Knowledge

Good health and hygiene procedures. S

Needs of children and families in a multi-racial, inner city area. S

Skills

Ability to work as part of a team S

Communication Skills S

Experience

Experience of working with groups of children. S

General Education

Current Food Handling & Hygiene certificate

Personal Qualities

Sensitivity and awareness of the needs of young children

Physical

Generally candidates must meet the standard Lewisham requirements for the post

Good general health

Able to attend meetings / training in locations both inside and outside of the borough.

Able to use computer, telephone, and read correspondence

If you are a disabled person, but are unable to meet some of the job requirements specifically because of your disability, please address this in your application. If you meet all the other criteria you will be shortlisted and we will explore jointly with you if there are ways in which the job can be changed to enable you to meet requirements.

Salary & contract

10.5 hours a week. 11.30am – 1.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday, 11.00am - 1.30 on Thursday

Term time only plus INSET days

Scale 2, £27,711 to £28,128 full-time equivalent (£7,181.80 to £7,289.87 pro rata)

Fixed term contract until 22 July 2025

Location

John Ball Primary School
Southvale Road
Blackheath
London
SE3 0TP

Supporting documents and application form

Deadline and how to apply

To apply, please send completed Application Form, Safer Recruitment form and Equalities Monitoring form to Penny Ashcroft, hr@johnball.lewisham.sch.uk

Please use the job title as reference for your application.

Closing Date:

Thursday 11th July 2024 at 9am

Interview Date:

Thursday 18th July 2024

Start Date:

Monday 2nd September 2024

Equal opportunities

John Ball Primary School is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all members of the community, regardless of gender, age, marital status, disability, ethnicity, religion, belief or sexual orientation. As we are working to become a racially just school we welcome applications from black and ethnic minority groups. We also welcome applications from males.

We operate a blind shortlisting process and will redact personal information before presenting applications to the assessors so they are unable to determine age, background etc.

John Ball Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff, volunteers and external agencies to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check, internet profile check, medical clearance and satisfactory employment references.