Midday Assistant

Thameside Primary School; Essex; On-site; GBP 4,500 - 4,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package up to £8,000

Automatic enrolment into Local Govt. P

Excellent CPD opportunities

Career progression across the Trust

2 Week October Half Term

Job summary

Thameside Primary School is seeking a friendly Midday Assistant to supervise pupils during lunch and playtime, ensuring safety and welfare. You will help with dining hall and playground activities, encourage respectful social interaction and support pupils with personal care as needed.

The role requires a caring, empathetic individual who can communicate well with children, staff, and families, and who is willing to undertake First Aid training and safeguarding procedures.

Qualifications

• Interact with children to encourage social skills and participation.
• Willingness to undertake training, including First Aid.
• Ability to maintain calm and professional conduct under pressure.
• Support pupils with personal care where necessary.

Responsibilities

• Keep lunchtime safe and orderly, supervise pupils in dining hall and playground.
• Encourage healthy eating, monitor activities and assist with supervision.
• Provide comfort to pupils who are distressed and support welfare.
• Follow the school's behaviour plan and safeguarding procedures.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

First Aid training

Communication

Empathy

Job description

Midday Assistant

Salary: Band A Point 1 - 6

(£4,512.51 - £4,852.16 per annum)

7 hours and 55 minutes per week

Monday - Friday 12.00pm - 1:35pm

37 weeks of the year - term time only

Start Date: 2nd November 2026

Thameside Primary School is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, caring, committed and flexible Midday Assistant, to support students over lunchtime.

The Midday Assistants at Thameside create a positive, happy, and secure environment in our playgrounds, dining hall and the school building at lunchtime. Your primary role will be to maintain the safety, welfare, and good conduct of pupils during the lunchtime break. This role would be suited to someone personable, empathetic and able to communicate effectively, whilst maintaining a calm and professional manner, under pressure.

The successful applicant must:

• Interact with the children to encourage good social skills and will lead outdoor activities to encourage participation
• Encourage healthy eating, prepare the tables, supervise outdoor play, supervise the clearing up of games and toys, administer first aid and use the school’s behaviour plan
• Ensure the safety and care of pupils who are injured or unwell & provide comfort if distressed
• Assist children with personal care where necessary
• Be willing to undertake training, including First Aid

Thameside Primary School and Nursery is a vibrant and diverse school where children are enthusiastic and motivated to achieve endless possibilities. The children are at the heart of every decision we make to ensure that they are happy, confident and that the opportunities that are provided for them are relevant to their needs both now, and in the future. The school is proud to:

• Be a friendly, caring and supportive school that has a one big team approach to workload
• Have a strong, established & supportive SLT that creates a positive team environment
• Be a place where pupils feel safe, happy, valued and respected
• Be an inclusive school, where everyone works hard to ensure all pupils receive stimulating learning experiences, with high expectations for all children
• Be a school that celebrates every child's individuality and success

Thameside Primary School is a member of Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust, a Multi-Academy Trust, with twelve member schools within Essex. All schools in the Trust work in equal partnership and are members of the schools’ Co-operative Society. Our Co-operative values focus on enabling all students to achieve their potential both academically and as young people.

What the school can offer:

• 2 Week October Half Term
• Relocation package of up to £8,000 (where applicable)for new employees rentingor buyinga property
• Recognition of continuous service
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Excellent CPD opportunities
• Career progression throughout the Trust, with the ability to progress in other schools
• The support of an experienced family of schools
• National Conditions of Service
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent behaviour management policy to support all staff
• Wider support network for all staff including managing workloads and work-life balance

Thameside is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. In compliance with safer recruitment procedures and guidelines, all applications must be made on our formal application form, CVs will not be accepted. This appointment will be subject to pre-employment checks including an enhanced DBS disclosure and satisfactory references. Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust is an equal opportunities employer. As a Trust, we recognise the value of, and seek to achieve a diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. Please refer to our recruitment & selection policy statement (www.osborne.coop/working-with-us) for more information.

Closing date:

Friday 25th September 2026 - Midday

Interview date:

Monday 5th October 2026

Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. This post will be subject to an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.