Midday Supervisory Assistant (MDSA)

Woodlands Secondary School; England; On-site; GBP 6,500 - 7,500; Part time

Job summary

Woodlands Secondary School is seeking Midday Supervisory Assistants (MDSAs) to join our team. You will support students with lunchtime routines, help with eating and personal care, and assist with play and behaviour management to foster independence.

Good spoken English is essential. DBS checks are required; interviews will be held on 25 November 2026 and the closing date is 15 November 2026. You may be directed to work at either site depending on needs.

Qualifications

• Good spoken English skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Support students with lunchtime routines, assisting with eating and personal care.
• Assist with playground activities and behaviour management to promote positive conduct.
• Help students develop self-help and independence skills during lunch times.

Job description

The job

Our Midday Supervisory Assistants (MDSAs) play a vital role working alongside our class teams to support our amazing students to develop their self-help and independence skills over lunch time.

Staff usually work with individual students or small groups to assist them with eating their lunches, personal care, support on the playground and managing their behaviours.

Promoting good communication skills is a key element of the role; good spoken English skills are essential.

Some of our students require additional physical support with personal care and understanding how to regulate their emotions and behaviours.

MDSAs play a key role in ensuring that the students are safeguarded and their welfare promoted.

You may be directed by the Head Teacher to work or take training on either site depending on operational requirements of the school.

Hours

11.45am - 2.00pm, daily.

11.25 hours per week, term-time only

Salary

Actual salary £6,574.00

Working in a special school is a unique and privileged opportunity for the right person. We advise interested parties to ensure they have watched our school video in order to get a flavour of our school.

Closing Date

The closing date for applications is 15 November 2026

Please note the school reserves the right to close adverts prior to the closing date if a sufficient response is received. Early applications are advised in light of this.

Visits to the school

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to visit the school for a taster session on 18th,19th,20th, 23rd November, 11.30 am - 2.00 pm.

Interviews

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 25 November 2026.

At Woodlands School we are committed to safeguarding our students and promoting their welfare.

Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for an enhanced DBS check to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person’s criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.

IT IS AN OFFENCE TO APPLY FOR A ROLE WORKING IN REGULATED ACTIVITY IF YOU ARE BARRED FROM WORKING WITH CHILDREN

PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED POLICIES - Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy - Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy