Specialist Swimming Instructor / Lifeguard

Willow Dene School, Plumstead, SE18 2JD

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  ASAP

• Closing date

  21 September 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  20 May 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher or lecturer
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £17,014.27 Annually (Actual)

Specialist Swimming Instructor / Lifeguard job summary

Hours: 21 per week (Tuesday to Thursday 8:30am - 4:00pm each day), 39 weeks per year, term time, plus inset days.

Further details on the role can be found in the attached job description.

Salary: Grade 5 SCP 12

Willow Dene is a large special school in Plumstead for children aged 2-19 across two sites. We are a forward thinking and innovative school that is committed to providing an outstanding education for children with a wide range of learning needs. Willow Dene forms part of the exciting Compass Eko Trust. We aim to inspire all children to engage confidently with the world and develop the knowledge and skills from across the curriculum that enable them to thrive. By working as one, we maximise the knowledge and skills of all the adults in our schools. We share the very best practice and learning from the research that will make a difference to the progress and achievement of all children. This Trust provides immense opportunities to develop the quality of provision and outcomes, and the sharing of good practice. We are a research-engaged community and are constantly seeking new and innovative ways of developing teaching for learning.

Overall Job Purpose:

To ensure that the pool environment is conducive to the delivery of effective swimming instruction to children with a wide range of learning difficulties and additional needs, ensuring consistency of provision for individuals to ensure progress.  

To assist in the day to day running of the school pool by carrying out all duties as appropriate to the role, including health and safety and cleaning.

To keep children safe through close supervision, vigilance regarding potential hazards, adherence to moving and handling guidelines, being able to effect a prompt rescue in accordance with lifeguard protocols and administering CPR if required (see Appendix 1, (i)). 

To assist with the planning, preparation and delivery of group and individual swimming programmes which have been suitably differentiated to meet individual pupil needs, with reference to the National Swimming Plan.

To deliver and support innovative and effective swimming instruction to children with a wide range of learning difficulties (including severe and complex learning difficulties, complex medical needs, social and behavioural difficulties and Autism) on poolside and in the water.  

Induction programmes and training will be provided for the successful candidate.

This role is based at Willow Dene School; however, the role may also work across schools, to include Rowan Wood School.

Willow Dene is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all pupils attending the school. As the duties of this post involve regular contact with children, any offer to the successful candidate will be conditional upon an Enhanced DBS check being completed. This post is also subject to a satisfactory probationary period and medical clearance.

We encourage visits to view the school; however, we would warmly welcome telephone calls or a video meet with anyone who is thinking about applying to answer any questions or provide further information. Please contact Samantha Murphy, HR Officer to arrange.

Further information is available from the school website: www.willowdene.compassps.uk

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 Willow Dene School

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 2 to 19
• Size: 315 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 2 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Willow Dene School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/willow-dene-school-plumstead

Willow Dene School, SEND

School location

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