Play Development Leader

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Remote; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

East Bergholt CEVC Primary School invites applications for a Play Development Leader to transform lunchtimes and bring our outdoor spaces to life. Working with OPAL Curricular Lead and OPAL Play Co-ordinator, you will lead play during lunchtimes and help convert our OPAL vision into children’s everyday experience.

We offer full training and support, a permanent post from 2 November 2026, term-time hours (38 weeks), 13.75 hours per week; salary £26,427-£26,847 pro rata.

Qualifications

• Experience in school, childcare, Forest School, outdoor learning or youth work.
• Energetic, practical and imaginative with a love for outdoors.
• Willing to lead and inspire others, and work well with children.

Responsibilities

• Lead lunchtimes and help turn OPAL vision into daily experience.
• Develop exciting, child-led play opportunities across the grounds.
• Source, organise and replenish resources from families and community.
• Support lunchtime team to enable great play and inclusive activities.
• Classroom support on Fridays where required.

Skills

Outdoor play

Creative thinking

Team leadership

Child engagement

Job description

• East Bergholt CEVC Primary School
• Address: School Lane, East Bergholt CO7 6SW
• Salary: £26,427 - £26,847 per annum, pro rata (Grade 3 point 5 - 6)
• Hours: 13.75 hours per week. 11.45am– 1.45 pm, Monday – Thursday, 8.45am-3.20pm Friday. Term time only (38 weeks per year)
• Contract: Permanent, required from 2 November 2026
• Reference: 5503

Come and help us create extraordinary playtimes.

At East Bergholt CEVC Primary School, we don’t want lunchtime simply to be the gap between morning and afternoon lessons. We want it to be one of the best parts of a child’s day. We are looking for an engaging, creative and engaging Play Development Leader to help us transform our playtimes and bring our fantastic outdoor spaces to life.

We are beginning our OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) journey, creating richer opportunities for children to explore, create, collaborate, take appropriate risks, solve problems and use their imaginations. You don’t need previous OPAL experience – full training and support will be provided.

What will you do?

This is much more than a traditional lunchtime role. Working alongside our OPAL Curricular Lead and OPAL Play Co-ordinator, you will take the lead during lunchtimes and help turn our OPAL vision into children's everyday experience.

You will:

• develop exciting, child-led play opportunities across our extensive grounds
• organise and introduce resources and ‘loose parts’ – from crates and tyres to planks, fabric, mud and water
• inspire and support our lunchtime team to enable great play
• observe how children play and continually ask, “How could we make this even better?”
• source, organise and replenish resources from families, businesses and our local community
• support children to enjoy adventurous, creative and inclusive play throughout the year.

Your longer Friday hours will also include some classroom support with our wonderful children.

Could this be you?

You may already work in a school, childcare, Forest School, outdoor learning, youth work or sport – or you may bring completely different experience. We are much more interested in finding the right person. Someone energetic, practical and imaginative. Someone who enjoys being outdoors, isn’t afraid of getting their hands dirty and sees possibilities rather than problems. You’ll be confident enough to lead and inspire others, but warm, approachable and ready to become part of our team. Above all, you will really like children and believe in their right to a happy, playful childhood.

Why East Bergholt?

Our welcoming Church of England primary school sits in beautiful Constable Country, with extensive grounds, strong community links and a warm, supportive staff team. Every child is known, valued and encouraged to thrive. Our vision is for children to have “life…to the full” – and OPAL fits beautifully with that ambition.

This is an opportunity to make the role your own and have a visible impact on hundreds of children’s school days.

If you’re the sort of person who sees a muddy field as an opportunity rather than a problem, we’d really like to hear from you.

For more information

Visits are warmly encouraged. Please contact 01206 298202 or [e-mail] to arrange a visit or find out more.

Please see the job description (Word)

East Bergholt CEVC Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory pre-employment checks.

Closing date: 9 October 2026 (shortlisting 12 October)

Interview date: 19 October 2026