Playworker

Leo Academy Trust, Sutton, SM3 8EP

40 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  21 September 2026

• Closing date

  31 October 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  21 September 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other support role
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Casual
• Full time equivalent salary: Hourly rate depends on location (£12.83 or £15.25)

Playworker job summary

Casual Playworker - Term time and/or Holiday Club (Across the Trust) 

Start date: ASAP

Casual Contract: various working patterns available, our Wraparound Care provision is open Monday - Friday for breakfast club 07:15 - 08:45 and after school club 15:00-18:00 as well as school holidays 07:30 - 18:00.

Fancy joining a team where every day is a fresh adventure?

Are you a natural when it comes to sparking children’s imaginations? LEO Academy Trust is looking for enthusiastic casual playworkers to join our vibrant team. If you’re looking for a role that’s hands-on, rewarding, and fits around your life, this could be the perfect match. We’re after someone who can help our pupils stay happy, safe, and engaged during their wraparound care.

LEO Academy Trust is a growing Trust with sites across Surrey and Sutton, please visit our website for further details.

We are looking for people to cover short term absence across the Trust as well as staff to work in our Holiday club (based at Cheam Common Junior Academy) during the school holidays. Hours are flexible. Pay will depend on the location of your assignment.   Working under the guidance of our Wrapround Care team leader, you’ll be a key part of our pupils' day. You won’t just be supervising; you’ll be right in the thick of it, helping children develop socially and emotionally through play.

Your day-to-day will involve:

• Planning and organising exciting play activities for primary-aged children.
• Setting up play areas and equipment to ensure they are safe and inviting.
• Preparing and serving snacks and refreshments.
• Chatting with children about their worries or concerns, providing a supportive ear.
• Managing fair behaviour and dealing with any minor injuries or emergencies.
• Building great relationships with parents, carers, and colleagues.

What You Will Bring: 

We need someone who is patient, flexible, and genuinely enjoys working with children. To join the team, you will need:

• Proven experience of working within a childcare or play provision.
• Sensitivity and understanding, with the ability to stay calm whilst things get busy.
• Top-notch communication skills and a friendly, customer-focused approach.
• Basic IT skills for simple tasks on computers or hand-held devices.
• An NVQ Level 2 in Playwork is a bonus, but not essential.

Why Choose LEO Academy Trust?

At LEO Academy Trust, we believe our staff are our greatest asset. We offer a supportive community where you are valued and empowered through:

• Our "TEAM" Ethos: A culture built on Togetherness, Expectation, Achievement, and Moving forwards.
• Inclusive Culture: A deeply rooted commitment to diversity and a welcoming workplace.
• Smart Work-Life Balance: Industry-leading PedTech and Google tools designed to slash admin workloads.
• Comprehensive Health & Wellbeing package for all staff

The Small Print

LEO Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All offers of employment are subject to:

• Obtaining an Enhanced DBS certificate.
• Confirmation of identity and the Right to Work in the UK.
• Overseas checks where applicable.
• Verification of professional qualifications.
• Satisfactory references with all gaps in employment explained.
• Online searches (including social media) as part of our due diligence process for all shortlisted candidates.

Equality & Diversity

LEO Academy Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills. Applications are invited from all members of the community. We do not discriminate against staff on the basis of age; race; sex; disability; sexual orientation; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; religion, faith or belief (Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics).

Safeguarding & Equal Opportunities

LEO Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Please read about our commitment to safeguarding as well as other important information in the Applicant guide on our website.

Reasonable Adjustments

Should you require any reasonable adjustments to support you in applying for this role, at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact the Recruitment team to tell us what changes or help you might need.

Apply early...

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as soon as possible.

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 Leo Academy Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/leo-academy-trust

LEO Academy Trust is committed to developing a family of schools, where collaboration makes a real difference for our children, staff and families. We are seeking exceptional educators to join our teaching team from September 2025. We welcome applications from all members of the community, including those from protected characteristic groups.

LEO Academy Trust is a dynamic and supportive learning environment where you can thrive as an educator. Join us to:

- Cultivate excellence and opportunity for all
- Foster inclusive and engaging learning for all students
- Collaborate with supportive colleagues and embrace professional growth through receiving ongoing professional learning opportunities for every stage of your career
- Embrace inclusivity and celebrate diversity
- Make a positive impact on our local communities
- Embark on a coaching-oriented development journey
- Incorporate technology into your teaching practice
- Promote well-being and work-life balance
- Make a genuine difference in the lives of students, colleagues, and communities

Head office location

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