Opal Play Coordinator

🌟 Join Our Team - Opal Play Coordinator Vacancy 🌟

Post: Opal Play Coordinator

Location: Winston Way Academy, Redbridge

Opal Play Coordinator Hours: 5 hours per week (Monday – Friday)

Midday Assistant Hours: Part-Time, 10 hours per week (Monday – Friday)

Opal Play Coordinator Allowance: Fixed Term ending 31.08.2026

Midday Assistant Contract Type: Permanent

Term Time Only: 44.87 weeks

Start Date: February 2026

Midday Assistant Salary: £28,645 FTE - £6591 Pro Rata plus Opal Play Coordinator Allowance: £3000 FTE per annum.

Closing Date: 22 February 2026

Interviews: To Be Confirmed

About the Role

Winston Way Academy is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Opal Play Coordinator to join our team. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of our pupils by ensuring a positive lunchtime experience and promoting enriching play opportunities in line with our school ethos and play policy.

Winston Way Academy is a vibrant and inclusive school dedicated to providing high-quality education and care. Our mission is to foster a love of learning in a nurturing and stimulating environment.

Key Responsibilities:

·        Supervise pupils in the lunch hall and playground during lunchtime, ensuring their safety and wellbeing.

·        Create stimulating outdoor environments and facilitate meaningful, child-initiated play.

·        Promote positive behaviour and intervene appropriately when needed.

·        Organise and maintain play resources, ensuring accessibility and quality.

·        Support school initiatives, including wellbeing strategies and collaborative projects.

·        Assist with lunchtime dining and related administrative tasks.

·        Encouraging inclusive play and social interaction

·        Ensuring a safe and nurturing environment

·        Supporting the school’s policies and safeguarding procedures

What we’re looking for:

·        Strong communication, interpersonal and organisational skills

·        Ability to engage and supervise children positively.

·        Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils.

·        Reliable, flexible, and proactive approach.

·        Basic first aid knowledge (First Aid qualification desirable).

·        Experience in a school environment and knowledge of playwork principles (desirable).

·        A good understanding of health and safety

·        A team player with a positive attitude

What We Offer:

As part of the United Learning Trust, we offer great benefits for our staff, including:

·        Highly competitive pay above national average.

·        26 days annual leave plus 8 statutory bank holidays per annum.

·        An additional day’s paid leave awarded per annum.

·        Access to an outstanding professional development programme.

·        A respectful working environment.

·        Supportive, friendly colleagues who are committed to each other’s professional development.

·        A chance to become part of United Learning, one of the largest groups of academies in the country.

·        Opportunities to work collaboratively with colleagues in each academy across the Cluster and United Learning.

·        Excellent employee benefits which include a highly sought-after pension scheme with high employer contributions.

·        Access to training

·        Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), offering mental health and wellbeing support

·        Health Cash Plan available to United Learning staff with a minimum of 6 months of service. The plan gives you money back on essential healthcare, from opticians to physiotherapy, and guarantees you 24/7 access to an online GP.

·        Cycle to work scheme

·        Discounted Gym Membership

·        Car lease scheme

·        Employee benefits through Westfield Rewards including money off your weekly shop, savings from big brands like M&S, Sainsbury’s Boots, H&M, Argos and many more

·        Eye care vouchers and free flu vaccines

How to apply

To join our dedicated and talented team click apply or visit our careers page at https://www.winstonwayacademy.org.uk/work-with-us.

The deadline for applications is 22 February 2026.

Note - We reserve the right to interview and offer a strong candidate prior to the closing date. It is strongly recommended that candidates submit their applications as soon as possible. Only successful shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

United Learning is a group of schools which aims to provide excellent education to children and young people across the country. We seek to improve the life chances of all the children and young people we serve and make it our mission to bring out ‘the best in everyone’ – pupils, staff, parents and the wider community.

If you are shortlisted for the role, we will carry out an online search.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an equal opportunities employer.