Mealtime Assistant

The Harbour Schools Partnership; Exeter; On-site; GBP 4,900 - 5,100; Part time

Job summary

St Martin's C of E Primary and Nursery School in Exeter is seeking a friendly Mealtime Assistant to join our team from January 2027. The role focuses on supervising children during lunch and helping run a calm, safe dining environment.

We value a caring, reliable partner who can support good manners, assist children with cutlery, and respond to minor first aid needs in line with school policy. DBS disclosure is required.

Qualifications

• Supervise children confidently and calmly.
• Literate and numerate; follow instructions.
• Good communicator with pupils and staff.
• Team player with a positive, supportive attitude.

Responsibilities

• Setting up and clearing the dining room before and after service.
• Supervising pupils to ensure safe, positive behaviour.
• Encouraging good table manners and cleanliness.
• Assisting children with cutlery where needed.
• Administering first aid in line with school policy.

Job description

Salary: NJC Grade A3 £25,614 FTE (This will be paid pro-rata to reflect hours and weeks worked)

Working Pattern: This is a permanent position working 10 hours per week, 38 weeks per year (Monday to Friday)

St Martin's C of E Primary and Nursery School are looking for a friendly and reliable Mealtime Assistant to join our school team in January 2027.

This is a great opportunity to join our St Martin's family - where our school vision statement of ‘Being the best we can be for ourselves, for others and for God's world’ is woven through all aspects of school life. We are a nurturing school where relationships provide a safe space within which to learn and grow.

We want to appoint staff who share our Christian ethos, are passionate about learning and understand the importance of creating a safe, secure and inspirational environment through all aspects of the school day.

About the Role

Your main focus will be to help supervise children during lunch and support the smooth running of the dining environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Setting up and clearing the dining room before and after service

• Supervising pupils to ensure safe, positive behaviour

• Encouraging good table manners and cleanliness

• Assisting children with cutlery where needed

• Administering first aid in line with school policy

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking someone who is:

• Able to supervise children confidently and calmly

• Literate, numerate and able to follow instructions

• A good communicator who can work effectively with pupils and staff

• A team player with a positive, supportive attitude

• Able to carry out the duties of the post with reasonable adjustments where necessary

Desirable (but not essential):

• Experience of supporting young children and/or those with additional needs would be desirable but is not essential as training and support will be offered as part of your induction

• Experience in a catering environment

• GCSE‑level education or equivalent

Why Join Us?

As part of The Harbour Trust Partnership, you will be joining a school committed to equality, inclusion and fostering good relationships within the community.

If you enjoy working with children and want to support a welcoming, well‑organised lunchtime environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Visits to the school would be welcomed and can be arranged via the school office: 01404 515409.

This role requires an enhanced DBS disclosure.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 12th November 2026, interviews will be held on 17th November 2026.

Successful applicants will be subject to an online search.

The Harbour Schools Partnership require all applicants to be eligible to work in the UK with no restrictions, as we are unable to offer sponsorship/work visas. You will be required to provide proof of Right to Work at interview stage.