Play Associate
| Posting date: | 02 October 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 13 October 2025 |
| Location: | London, SE3 0TP |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | aea00c2e-2215-49d4-83f8-94c84646f3f9 |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
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
What the school offers its staff
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
Further details about the role
Main Purpose of the jobTo 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 DutiesSupport 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
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
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
What the school offers its staff
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
Further details about the role
Main Purpose of the jobTo 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 DutiesSupport 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
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.