Midday Play Leader 1:1 support

Wheatfields Infants' and Nursery School; Greater London; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Wheatfields Infants' and Nursery School seeks a dedicated 1:1 pupil support assistant to help a child with visual and mobility needs. You will assist with dining, play spaces, and safe navigation within classrooms and outdoors.

Work closely with teaching staff and other support colleagues; attend weekly planning sessions and INSET days, while upholding safeguarding, health, and hygiene policies. DBS check is required.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children in primary/early years settings.
• SEN experience especially visual impairments or mobility support desirable.
• GCSE C/Level 4 in English and Maths (or NVQ Level 2) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated 1:1 pupil support for a child with visual and mobility needs.
• Attend to pupils' personal needs including health, welfare and basic first aid.
• Support inclusive play, model high social expectations, and supervise meals and transitions.
• Collaborate with teaching staff and support colleagues; assist with planning and feedback.
• Attend weekly planning/training sessions and keep up-to-date with safeguarding policies.

Skills

Teamwork

Interacting with children

Patience

Education

GCSE C/Level 4 English & Maths desirable

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• 1:1 Pupil Support & Personal Care

  • Provide dedicated 1:1 guidance to support a child with visual and mobility needs, helping them navigate dining and play spaces safely.
  • Attend to pupils' personal needs, including social, health, hygiene, welfare, and basic first aid.
  • Support, model, and coordinate inclusive play activities, ensuring all children are encouraged to join in.

• Mealtimes & Play Facilitation

  • Act as a role model, setting high expectations for social skills, table manners, safe lining up, and hand hygiene.
  • Assist in preparing and setting up dining spaces, outdoor play areas, and classroom/Nursery learning spaces (including putting away tables, sweeping floors, and wiping chairs).
  • Implement the school’s Behaviour Strategy to ensure fair, equal access to play and learning.

• Teamwork, Administration & Training

  • Work collaboratively with teaching staff, supervisory assistants, and catering staff.
  • Assist in observing, recording, and feeding back on pupil progress and achievements.
  • Attend weekly team planning/training sessions, read weekly briefing minutes and CPOMS updates, check emails daily, and complete required INSET training days.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Experience: Experience working with children of primary/early years age is essential. Prior experience supporting children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), specifically visual impairments or mobility support, is highly desirable.
• Skills: Ability to work well in a team, manage group play, and interact warmly and effectively with young children.
• Education: Numeracy and literacy skills equivalent to GCSE Grade C / Level 4 (or NVQ Level 2) in English and Maths are desirable, though not essential.
• Hygiene & Safety: Basic knowledge of hygiene procedures. Physical capability to assist with setting up furniture and assisting pupils when necessary (training provided).

Safeguarding & Working Conditions

• DBS Check: This post involves high-degree contact with children and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. An Enhanced DBS check will be carried out via Hertfordshire County Council pre-employment checks.
• Policies: You will be required to read, understand, and strictly comply with all school Safeguarding, Child Protection, Health & Safety, Data Protection, and Confidentiality policies.
• Physical & Environmental Factors: The role involves setting up and clearing away dining furniture, active outdoor supervision, and occasional emergency response (e.g., attending to minor injuries or first-aid needs). To find your more information about the role please contact Miss Clare Cockburn, Headteacher