Lunchtime Play & Engagement Leader

Ark; St Leonards; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A local primary school in England is seeking a part-time Lunchtime Play and Engagement Leader to ensure safe and enjoyable lunchtimes for students. The role requires engaging with children in play activities and fostering positive relationships. Ideal candidates will have strong interpersonal skills, experience working with children, and a passion for their welfare. The position offers competitive benefits, including higher salaries and generous training opportunities.

Benefits

Salary 2.5% higher than main pay scale

Twice as many training days as standard

Generous pension scheme

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Gym discounts up to 40%

Interest-free loans up to £5,000

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe, happy lunchtimes for pupils.
• Engage pupils in purposeful activity during lunchtime.
• Establish positive relationships with children.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Experience with children

Enthusiasm for children's welfare

Initiative

Job description

About The Role

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding Lunchtime Play and Engagement Leader on a part‑time permanent basis. This role will involve taking responsibility for ensuring safe, happy lunchtimes for the pupils at Ark Blacklands by engaging in play activities with and taking care of the children during the lunch time period in all areas inside and outside of the school.

Key Responsibilities

• Have good interpersonal skills
• Have experience of establishing positive relationships with children
• Have an enthusiasm for and an active interest in children’s welfare and play
• Engage pupils in purposeful activity during the lunchtime (during both good weather and ‘wet’ lunchtimes)
• Be able to use their initiative and be open to new ideas

Benefits

• Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.
• Twice as many training days as standard.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers
• Interest‑free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle.
• Gym discounts – offering up to 40%.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.

Find out more about the benefits of working for Ark at https://arkonline.org/careers/why-work-with-us/.

About Us

Ark Blacklands Primary Academy is Hastings' fastest‑improving primary school. Located near the 109‑acre Alexandra Park, we recently celebrated winning the East Sussex Healthy Schools Excellence Award.

We are a large school with a new intake each year of 3 forms, with 90 pupils in each year group, from reception through to year 6. Despite this, our staff make a tremendous effort to get to know each pupil and provide them with the very best care.

As part of the Ark schools’ network, we are committed to making sure that every child has access to a great education and real choices in life. We know that great schools need great staff, which is why we offer you the very best training and support at every stage of your career.

Visit arkblacklandsprimary.org/jobs to learn more about us and see our current vacancies.

Diversity and inclusion

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click this link.

Safeguarding statement

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment – this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on‑going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.