Playworker

Oakfield is a vibrant independent preparatory school in the heart of West Dulwich. We have high aspirations for our pupils' academic success, providing a nurturing environment that values them as individuals. We are committed to offering a well-rounded education that equips pupils with the skills and experiences they need to thrive in the future.

Are you passionate about working with children and creating a safe, fun, and engaging environment for them? Oakfield Prep School is looking for a dedicated Playworker to join our team. You will be responsible for encouraging and developing safe, purposeful, and creative play during our Breakfast Club, Stay and Play, and After School Care programs. Your role will be crucial in ensuring the welfare, safety, and wellbeing of our pupils.

Key Responsibilities:

• Engage children in purposeful play and fitness activities that align with their interests.
• Teach play skills and specific games and activities.
• Support children with their personal, social, and emotional development needs.
• Supervise and interact with pupils during various programs, promoting positive social skills and good behaviour.
• Encourage inclusive and positive play, both indoors and outdoors.
• Ensure pupils are dressed appropriately for the weather conditions.
• Supervise pupils on school premises and during their movement around the school.
• Implement and support the school’s behaviour policies.
• Be vigilant in assessing potential dangers or risks in the playground.
• Ensure children are collected by their authorized adult.
• Handle minor accidents/sickness and report serious incidents to senior staff.
• Maintain accurate records of accidents/incidents and attendance.
• Ensure refreshments meet hygiene, health, and safety standards.
• Treat all pupil information confidentially and comply with school policies.
• Attend relevant training courses to update knowledge as required.

Essential:

• Good general education and fluency in English.
• Positive approach to behaviour management.
• Ability to work with guidance but under limited supervision.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Strong communication skills to work effectively with children, colleagues, and parents.
• Ability to plan and prepare exciting activities.
• Excellent organizational skills and time management.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
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Why Join Us? At Oakfield Prep School, we place the safety and welfare of our pupils at the centre of all our activities. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where both staff and pupils can thrive. If you have a genuine interest in working with children and are looking for a rewarding role, we would love to hear from you.

A full list of job objectives and requirements can be found in the Job description on our website. 

Deadline for applications: Monday 31 March 2025. Please note, we reserve the right to close our vacancies early if sufficient applications are received. 

Interview details: Interviews will take place face to face on Thursday 3 March.

How to apply: To be considered for this vacancy, applicants are required to complete and submit a fully completed application form through our website.  

Education Development Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults whom we work with and come into contact with around the world. All applicants are subject to thorough screening and successful candidates are subject to the relevant level of criminal record checks with national police authorities or the UK’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).  For all school based roles this will be an Enhanced DBS check. 

At Education Development Trust, we strive to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, can be themselves and knows they can reach their full potential. We embrace and celebrate our differences through various initiatives and support colleagues through a number of staff networks. We’re committed to building a strong, diverse workforce and making Education Development Trust an inclusive place to work. If you have specific requirements or adjustments, please let us know if there is anything we can do to support your application. We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident employer scheme. 

We understand that artificial intelligence (AI) tools (such as ChatGPT) can be helpful when applying for jobs – especially for those who require additional support during the recruitment process. However, while you may decide to use AI tools for ideas or pointers, we request that you do not rely heavily on them when answering questions. We are looking for responses that are personal to you, including details and examples of your abilities and work experience to date, and we consider copying and pasting AI-generated responses to be a misuse of AI tools. Likewise, we do not use AI-driven recruitment screening software, because we value authenticity and prefer to make personal connections with our candidates. If you have used AI to support your application – including in emails and responses to questions – please disclose this on your application form. If you would like clarification on how AI can be used in your application to EDT, please contact the Recruitment team via the EDT website.