Playleader

Play Leader (Lunchtime)

Required from 1st September 2026

12.5 hours per week (term time only)

Grade D, Point 7-12 (£26,403- £28,598 FTE)

£7,672 - £8,309 (Actual Salary)

Pear Tree Community Junior School is seeking to appoint a committed and enthusiastic Play Leader to support high-quality play and positive experiences for pupils during lunchtime.

This is a key role in helping to create a safe, engaging and inclusive environment where all children can enjoy and benefit from meaningful play.

Why Pear Tree?

At Pear Tree, our values are simple but important:

Trust. Care. Grow.

We trust each other to do what’s right, care for each other, and grow together as learners and professionals.

• Children are supported to become confident, curious and kind individuals
• Staff are valued, developed and supported
• A strong culture of teamwork, collaboration and professional development

About the Role

As Play Leader, you will:

• Organise and supervise a range of high-quality play activities for pupils during lunchtime
• Support and facilitate child-initiated play in line with the school’s play policy and OPAL principles
• Help develop and sustain a vibrant lunchtime ‘Play Team’
• Ensure a safe, inclusive and stimulating outdoor environment for all children
• Set up and manage play equipment, including putting out and packing away resources
• Promote positive behaviour, inclusion and engagement for all pupils
• Support pupils’ wellbeing, social interaction and enjoyment of play
• Provide first aid where required (training can be provided)

We are looking for someone who:

• Enjoys working with children and understands the importance of play in development
• Has experience of supervising or working with children (desirable)
• Can build positive relationships and communicate effectively with pupils and staff
• Is proactive, organised and able to work both independently and as part of a team
• Can manage behaviour positively and consistently
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• Is willing to undertake relevant training, including first aid

In return we offer:

• A welcoming and supportive school community
• A motivated and professional staff team
• Training and development opportunities, including OPAL play development
• A positive and inclusive school environment
• Opportunities to contribute to whole-school improvement

Visits to our school are warmly welcomed, please contact the school office to arrange an appointment.

How to apply

Equality and diversity matters to us. If you think you’d be suited to one of our roles we’d love to hear from you regardless of age, disability status, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexuality. We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and as such anyone who is registered disabled and meets the essential person specification criteria will be shortlisted for interview.

Please complete the online application form which you will find on the Transform Trust website https://recruit.sampeople.co.uk/Jobboard/Trust/transformtrust  Please ensure that you follow the instructions within the application form and ensure that there are no gaps in your education or employment history that are not accounted for.

Any questions or queries should be directed to our admin team at Pear Tree Community Junior School, by Email: admin@peartreej.derby.sch.uk or by Telephone: 01332 760610

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 17th June 12pm

Interviews will be held on:  Thursday 25th June

Transform Trust is a Multi Academy Trust with over 9300 children in 27 Primary Schools covering Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire. Joining us, you will be part of an ambitious and innovative organisation. We have a strong focus on empowering our member schools to drive their improvement journey whilst maintaining their own individual identity and community focus.

We believe education has the power to transform lives and communities. Our purpose is to be an innovative and inclusive Trust working for all children.

We are an employer that encourages flexible working and promotes wellbeing through workload considerations.