Play Assistant

Cherry Garden Primary School; West of England; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Shield healthcare

Local Authority Pension Scheme

Occupational sick pay

CPD opportunities

Job summary

Cherry Garden Primary School is seeking a Play Assistant for their after-school club. The role supports children aged 4–11, delivering safe, engaging activities and promoting social development after school hours at Cherry Garden Primary School.

You should be self-motivated with good communication skills and an understanding of safeguarding. The position is fixed-term until 31 August 2027, with shifts from 3pm–6pm on Monday to Thursday.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children is advantageous.
• Able to engage children positively and support learning.
• Understanding of safeguarding and safe play provisions.

Responsibilities

• Deliver safe activities with groups of children from all class ranges.
• Engage with children encouraging participation in activities to promote learning and social development.
• Provide 1:1 support for children with complex needs if required.
• Encourage fair, caring behaviour and promote self-esteem.
• Ensure safety and safeguarding procedures are followed at all times.
• Assist with food preparation for breakfast and after-school snacks.

Skills

Good communication

Job description

Job title: Play Assistant

Salary: PATH 2. £13.07 per hour

Working pattern: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 3pm until 6pm

Contract type: Fixed term until 31/08/2027

Location: Cherry Garden Primary School

We are looking for passionate and creative play assistants to join our after school club, based at Cherry Garden Primary School. This is a fantastic opportunity to build fun and rewarding work experience whilst working with children.

As a member of the team, you will gain valuable experience assisting the delivering a wide range of engaging and participative childcare activities; working with children from ages 4 - 11.

You should be self-motivated, have good communication skills and be able to engage with children positively. It is important that you have an understanding of the issues involved in the delivery of quality play care; and demonstrable experience of providing and facilitating safe and creative play.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Deliver safe activities with groups of children from all class ranges
• Engage with children encouraging them to participate in activities to promote learning and social development
• Support children on a 1:1 basis who have complex needs (if required)
• Encourage fair and caring behaviour among the children
• Encourage independence and self-esteem
• Ensure safety and safeguarding procedures are adhered to ensure children are kept safe
• Assist with food preparation for serving breakfast and afterschool snacks

We can offer you:

• Happy, engaging students who thrive on inspirational leadership
• A supportive trust and school community
• Strong collaboration across the trust family of schools and access to a centralised team of specialists across all areas of school operations
• A commitment to high‑quality CPD, with dedicated time and budget for your development
• A values‑driven ethos where diversity, equity and inclusion are lived every day
• Recognition of continuous service (modification order) to protect employment rights and entitlements
• Access to Health Shield, a fully funded healthcare scheme
• Local Authority Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions and death‑in‑service cover
• Occupational sick pay to support you during illness or unexpected emergencies

Join us in Providing a Great Education for Every Child

Pathway Trust is committed to equal opportunities and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and communities, as we recognise the importance and benefit this has for our children.