Play Leader (BIR054BC)
Birch Wood (Melton Area Special School), Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 1HA14 days remaining to apply
Start date details
ASAP
Closing date
21 October 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
7 October 2026
Job details
Job role
- Other support role
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- £26,022.00 - £26,436.00 Annually (FTE) Actual Starting Salary Approx £8,814.99 per annum
Play Leader (BIR054BC) job summary
Birch Wood School
Where a Love of Learning Grows
Play Leader - 2 positions availableBirch Wood (Melton Area Special School)
Salary: Grade 5 Pay Point 7-8 (£26,022 - £26,436 per annum, approximate starting salary of £8,814.99 per annum)
Hours: 15 Hours per week, 39 Weeks per year (Term-time only)
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday 11:00 - 14:00
About the RoleA rewarding lunchtime role helping children and young people to play, connect and thrive. We are seeking a caring, enthusiastic and reliable Play Worker to join our supportive team.
Why Choose Birch Wood (Melton Area Special School)?
Joining Birch Wood means becoming part of a warm, committed and highly collaborative community where staff are supported to thrive professionally and personally.
Why Work With Us?
- A caring, nurturing and ambitious culture with no limits placed on pupil potential.
- Small class sizes, strong staffing ratios, and a multi‑disciplinary approach.
- Access to in-house specialists and a wide range of therapies.
- High-quality professional development and opportunities across all phases (4-19)
- A creative and outward looking school that works closely with families, external agencies and its local community.
“Staff are proud to work at the school. They benefit from highly effective training opportunities. They appreciate the school’s efforts to support their workload and promote their well-being.” - OFSTED
Key Responsibilities- Prepare, set out and clear away suitable indoor and outdoor play resources.
- Encourage inclusive, engaging and age-appropriate play, adapting opportunities to individual needs.
- Supervise pupils carefully, promoting positive interactions, independence, choice and emotional wellbeing.
- Respond calmly to incidents, accidents or concerns and report them promptly.
- Follow school policies for safeguarding, health and safety, confidentiality, equality and professional conduct.
- Warm, patient, energetic, playful and committed to helping pupils feel safe, included and valued.
- Able to build positive relationships and communicate clearly with pupils and colleagues.
- Reliable, observant and able to work effectively as part of a team.
- Willing to learn about SEND, communication approaches and safe working practices.
- Comfortable supporting active play indoors and outdoors and undertaking appropriate physical tasks.
- Experienced with children or young people where possible, although this is not essential as training will be provided.
Professional Growth & Support
- Ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Access to learning networks and visits to other organisations.
- Supportive leadership and a highly committed team.
Work-Life & Wellbeing Benefits
- Flexible working options.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
- Defined benefit pension scheme.
Additional Perks
- Free parking, cycle-to-work scheme, and gym discounts.
- Eyecare vouchers, dental support, and retail discounts.
- Annual incremental pay increases within the pay scale.
We welcome enquiries from everyone and value diversity in our workforce.
Applications are welcome from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity, ethnic origin, disability, age, or sexual orientation. If you require assistance completing your application, please contact hrsupport@discoverytrust.org for support.
Depending on your role, occasional travel between Discovery locations may be required. A valid driving license and appropriate business insurance are necessary, and you will need to provide evidence of these documents
About Discovery Schools TrustDiscovery Schools Trust is committed to improving learning by fostering a culture of excellence. We prioritise children’s needs, teacher development, and innovative school improvement to ensure success across all our schools.
Safeguarding CommitmentDiscovery is dedicated to safeguarding pupils. The successful applicant must complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and provide references.
Apply Now
If you are ready to make a difference in children's lives, apply today. Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification to support your application.
Further information about the job
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Birch Wood (Melton Area Special School)
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 4 to 19
- Size
- 246 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
School location
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