[260709C] Mealtime Assistant

Pilgrim Primary Academy, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 5BQ

50 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  ASAP

• Closing date

  28 August 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  8 July 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other support roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £24,796.00 Annually (FTE) NJC Grade A

[260709C] Mealtime Assistant job summary

Pilgrim Primary Academy, Reach South Academy Trust is seeking to appoint two Mealtime Assistants to join the School as soon as possible.

Post: Mealtime Assistant

Location: Pilgrim Primary Academy, Oxford Street, Plymouth, PL1 5BQ

Salary Range: Grade A, £24,796, pro-rata, per annum, (Actual Salary £4,472) per annum)

Hours/Contract: Part-time, 7.5 hours per week, Fixed Term, Term time, 39 weeks a year

About the role

We are looking for two caring Mealtime Assistants (MTA) to undertake the responsibility of supervising and ensuring the safety of the children during our lunchtime provision. These roles will help embed a recently introduced improved lunchtime structure for our pupils. You will be required to work for one hour and thirty minutes each day, Monday to Friday over the lunchtime period (times to be confirmed on appointment).

The main duties of the role are to supervise the children in the dining areas, encourage them to use good table manners and to ensure they clear away their plates. You will need an awareness of safety at all times, being required to wipe up any spills on tables or floors and to monitor children’s safe movement around the school environment. Outside on the playground you will be relied upon to model and supervise safe and engaging play, co-ordinating or initiating games for the pupils. You will support the general well-being of pupils during lunchtime, modelling and supporting all social interactions

About the successful candidate

Experience of working with children is not essential, just the passion to help improve the life chances of children within a school environment whilst being prepared to work inside and outside in all weathers

About the School

Pilgrim is a friendly, caring and welcoming place, with children's learning, happiness and well-being at the heart of all we do. We understand that children will only get the best education when there are strong and respectful relationships between both pupils, staff, parents and the wider community. We are very proud of the positive relationships that exist at Pilgrim.

Our aim is to develop confident young people who have high aspiration, a clear sense of themselves as learners and citizens, and who can contribute positively to their futures and those of others.

About the Trust

We are a family of schools working in partnership for the benefit of all our pupils and students. We believe our charitable aim, to advance education, is best achieved through collaboration, both within the Trust and beyond.

We operate 21 academies across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, serving learners aged 3 to 19. Alongside our primary, all-through and technical provision, we are proud to include a strong and integral network of seven special schools and one alternative provision setting.

These settings are a vital part of our community, providing inclusive, high-quality education for pupils with a wide range of needs, including complex learning profiles, autism, and social, emotional and mental health needs, as well as those who benefit from a more personalised approach. Together, we are committed to helping every young person thrive.

Those we recruit are able to demonstrate that they share our values, are highly motivated to work with colleagues, within and beyond their school, to continuously develop their skills and pursue professional excellence.

Next Steps:

So if you think this role may be for you and want to be involved at this exciting time in our development, please get in touch by calling Mercedes Triscott, Office Manager on 01752 225319 or emailat mercedes.triscott@pilgrimprimary.org

Closing date:28th August 2026

Interview Date: 9th September 2026

To apply for this opportunity, please complete our online application form by clicking ‘apply now’ on the advert.

We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. Therefore, an early application is strongly advised.

Opportunities and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary plus LGPS pension, great career progression and development opportunities, access to our Employee Assistance Programme with many other benefits.

We’re proud of how we support our staff in order that you have high levels of job satisfaction, are aware of the difference you are making for the children and families you work with and can see your contribution towards our community. There are regular opportunities for professional development and training, and a wider community of staff to network with within Reach South Multi Academy Trust. You will have the chance to visit other local schools, work alongside a range of outside professionals and take part in a variety of e-learning and face-to-face training.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Each post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Reach South Academy Trust has an Equal Opportunities Policy for selection and recruitment. Applicants are requested to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring section of the application form before submitting.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Pilgrim Primary Academy

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• Size: 361 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Pilgrim Primary Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/pilgrim-primary-academy

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