OPAL Play Team Member

Barry Primary School, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 5JS

31 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible.

• Closing date

  18 April 2026 at 12:59am

• Date listed

  18 March 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: £4,353.00 Annually (Actual) Pay award pending

OPAL Play Team Member job summary

At Barry Primary School, we follow the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) Primary Programme, which recognises that "better, more active and creative playtimes can lead to happier and healthier children." In turn, this results in a more positive learning experience, improved classroom behaviour and a greater sense of well-being among both pupils and staff.

Children have many more opportunities to be active, as the whole school grounds are used throughout the year. They have many more opportunities for imaginative play as there are many objects to play with. Children can mix with children of different ages and choose where and how they play.

We are looking for a new member of our Play Team to work with our Play Co-ordinator and other members of the team to ensure our children have a positive lunchtime experience, both in the lunch hall and out on the playground.

The ideal candidate will

• enjoy working with children of all ages in a primary school setting (4-11 years)
• have a positive and supportive attitude towards young people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds
• be confident in working with and able to influence and negotiate with children
• have strong team work skills, enjoy being part of a team, supportive, flexible and reliable
• be friendly, approachable and have a caring manner
• have a willingness to try new things and work outside their comfort zone

In return, we can offer lively, creative children, a hard-working dedicated friendly team, supportive governors and caring parents.

• Post is 7.75 hours per week - Monday to Thursday 11.45am - 1.15pm Friday 11.45am - 1.30pm
• Term time only contract
• Contract is permanent (subject to six month probationary period)
• Pay Grade is NJC Grade C Point 3 (pay award pending)

If you are interested in this role, please apply as soon as possible. Suitable candidates meeting the criteria will be contacted directly regarding an interview.

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 Barry Primary School

• School type: Local authority maintained school, ages 3 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 450 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Barry Primary School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/barry-primary-school

Conveniently located just off the Wellingborough Road in Northampton, Barry Primary School is a friendly and vibrant community school and nursery with capacity for 420 children. We pride ourselves on our wholeheartedly inclusive approach and absolute commitment to providing the highest standard of education, while at the same time never forgetting that school life should also be as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible not only for the children but also for the valued team shaping their future.

School location

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