Lunchtime Play and Engagement Leader (Ark Blacklands Primary Academy)

Salary: £24,482 per annum pro rata (Actual salary £4,679)

Contract type: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time, Term-time only

Closing date: Sunday 26th July 2026, 12am

Interview date: Thursday 30th July 2026

How to apply: Please select the role you are applying for on https://arkblacklandsprimary.org/jobs/vacancies and submit your application by the deadline.

Who to contact if you have a query: Gill Hulls, Business Manager at [email protected]

Start Date: September 2026

Working Hours: 11:35am - 1:10pm Monday - Friday

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding Lunchtime Play and Engagement Leader on a part-time permanent basis. This role will involve taking responsibility for ensuring safe, happy lunchtimes for the pupils at Ark Blacklands by engaging in play activities with and taking care of the children during the lunch time period in all areas inside and outside of the school.

The successful candidate will:

• Have good interpersonal skills
• Have experience of establishing positive relationships with children
• Have an enthusiasm for and an active interest in children’s welfare and play
• Engage pupils in purposeful activity during the lunchtime (during both good weather and ‘wet’ lunchtimes)
• Be able to use their initiative and be open to new ideas

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

About our school:

Ark Blacklands Primary Academy is Hastings' fastest-improving primary school. Located near the 109-acre Alexandra Park, we recently celebrated winning the East Sussex Healthy Schools Excellence Award.

We are a large school with a new intake each year of 3 forms, with 90 pupils in each year group, from reception through to year 6. Despite this, our staff make a tremendous effort to get to know each pupil and provide them with the very best care.

As part of the Ark schools’ network, we are committed to making sure that every child has access to a great education and real choices in life. We know that great schools need great staff, which is why we offer you the very best training and support at every stage of your career.

Find out more by visiting https://arkblacklandsprimary.org/

We offer:

• Comprehensive CPD – we offer twice as many training days as standard.
• Access to health packages, discounts at major retailers, travel loans and other benefits, through the Ark Rewards scheme.
• Opportunity to apply for international exchanges and other scholarship prospects

Find out more about the benefits by visiting https://arkonline.org/careers/why-work-with-us

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link.

Additional Information

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.