Learning support assistant / Lunchtime Play Leader

Nythe Primary School; Swindon; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A local primary school in Swindon is searching for a committed OPAL Play Leader to enhance children's lunch experiences. This part-time role involves leading the Play Team, managing outdoor play activities, and ensuring inclusion and safety during lunchtimes. Candidates should be energetic, enthusiastic, and confident in handling behavioral issues. The position offers professional development opportunities in a friendly and supportive environment. Closing date for applications is January 25, 2026.

Benefits

Opportunities for professional development

Supportive leadership team

Qualifications

• An outstanding play leader focused on positive lunchtime experiences.
• Ability to support children's play actively.
• Confidence in managing incidents on the playground.

Responsibilities

• Lead the school's Play Team for lunchtime provision.
• Create and manage a safe outdoor environment.
• Ensure meaningful play experiences for all children.

Skills

Passionate about children's play

Energetic and enthusiastic

Confident in managing behavior incidents

Commitment to inclusion

Team player

Job description

OPAL Play Leader

Hours of work; Part Time – 9 hours per week - potential for overtime to support forest school 1 afternoon a week and an opportunity to train as a forest school leader

Term time only (38 weeks per year)

Fixed term until Aug 2026

Salary; SCP 4-5 (£13.05 - £13.26 / hr)

Start date: As soon as possible

Nythe Primary School is looking to appoint an outstanding OPAL play leader who is enthusiastic, self-motivated and committed to providing a positive lunch time provision for all pupils. We would like someone with a tolerant and compassionate nature, a sense of humor and the ability to work both on their own and as part of our supportive team. The successful candidate will lead the school’s Play Team (comprising Teaching Assistants and Lunchtime supervisors), you will ensure that all our children have meaningful lunchtime play every day. You will work as a member of the OPAL Team to create and manage a safe and stimulating outdoor environment providing social, active and creative play experiences for all. This position aligns with a learning support mentor and could extend to overtime to support in forest school and open an opportunity to train as a forest school learner.

Our ideal candidate would be:

• An outstanding Play leader who is passionate about making lunchtimes a positive experience for all pupils.
• Energetic and enthusiastic when supporting children’s play.
• Confident in dealing with behaviour incidents or accidents that occur on the playground.
• Fully committed to inclusion.
• Friendly, positive, flexible and energetic.
• A team player.

In return we offer:

• A committed, hardworking and friendly team,
• A supportive leadership team.
• Opportunities for professional development.

As an Academy we work within the support of Excalibur Academies Trust, which offers our employees many wide ranging opportunities for future professional development.

Closing date: 25th January 2026 (Possibility of closing the vacancy early and interviewing early)

Interviews: Week Comm. 26th January 2026

Nythe Primary School and Excalibur Academies Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants will be subject to a full Disclosure and Barring Service check before appointment is confirmed.

Safeguarding Statement

Excalibur Academies Trust is an equal opportunities employer. The Trust is proud to serve a diverse student and parent community. The aims of the Trust’s recruitment policy are to ensure that the best possible staff are recruited on the basis of their merits, abilities and suitability for the position; to ensure that all job applicants are considered equally and consistently; to ensure that no job applicant is treated unfairly on any grounds including race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or religious belief, sex or sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, disability or age; and to ensure that the School meets its commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people by carrying out all necessary pre-employment checks.