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Recreational Manager (Including OPAL) / Wider Curriculum Specialist - Term Time

Lady Joanna Thornhill (Endowed) Primary School, Ashford

  • Ref:KCC886-3284-132S
  • Posted:07/02/2023
  • Pay:KR6
  • Start Date:As soon as possible
  • App Close Date:24/02/2023 at 12:00
  • Interviews:To be confirmed

Advert

Lady Joanna Thornhill seek to appoint a highly motivated and enthusiastic recreational manager and wider curriculum specialist to join our friendly and hardworking team.

You might be a forest school professional or already working in a school where OPAL is embedded. You might be a sports coach or outdoor learning specialist who is looking for a new role. What matters is the mindset. You will be incredibly organised, pro-active, positive, creative in your approaches to play, incredibly resourceful and able to lead a team.

The school has up to 420 children on roll. Our dedicated Lunch Team are experienced and enthusiastic members of staff, who ensure every child has a safe, happy and fulfilling lunchtime when eating and playing. The recreational aspect of the role will involve leading the team through day-to-day duties, planning, monitoring and reviewing playtime provision and measuring the impact of OPAL, reporting this to the outdoor learning and OPAL lead, SLT and Governors as required.

The school is starting to implement a positive change to our playtimes through the OPAL programme. Outdoor play and learning opportunities are key to this process and it will be the role of the OPAL Play Lead to:

  • develop routines to maximise children’s play experiences
  • help children to socialise, be active and creative in their play
  • plan and facilitate games and activities, alongside the team of Teaching Assistants
  • organise and support the safe use of equipment and resources for children to utilise during their play
  • communicate with children and adults effectively, develop positive relationships and keep everyone safe
  • supervise children while they’re eating their lunch (and assist where necessary)
  • identify areas of playtimes that can be further developed.

The OPAL Play Lead will work with teachers, SLT, teaching partners and play workers to ensure the smooth running of lunchtimes and how these can support, and be supported by, curriculum learning time.

The successful applicant will:

Lead, support and supervise the promotion of positive and creative play at lunchtime in line with OPAL practice and ethos.

Lead on the setting up and organisation of equipment and resources for the children to use during playtime.

Maintain, organise and carry out the replenishment of resources

Purchase resources as required.

Seek funding sources.

Collect resources (e.g., by contacting supermarkets and businesses, visiting shops for offcut materials etc).

Supervise pupils in designated areas of the school (including playground or external spaces) during the lunchtime break, including supervision of pupils indoors on wet lunchtimes.

Attend relevant training as required.

Support the school’s Behaviour Policy and ensure that it is implemented effectively.

Support the ethos of play in school according to the school Play policy and OPAL.

Support the school’s Rights Respecting ethos.

Attend to the health, welfare and safety of the children during lunchtime adhering to the school Health and Safety policy and procedures at all times.

Lead on an aspect of outdoor learning as part of our expansive curriculum.

Provide extra curricular clubs for children twice weekly.

For more information about OPAL, please view here: Michael Follett - Outdoor Play And Learning

Information about the school

Lady Joanna is a two-form entry endowed primary school, in the centre of the idyllic village of Wye. It is set in amazing grounds and the outside area is being further developed into a really special and exciting space for the children.

At Lady Joanna, we aim to provide a stable, caring, learning environment in which children are happy to attend, are stimulated, keen to learn and flourish. We provide for a wide range of ability and are committed to providing equal opportunities and extra support to those who are vulnerable or have special needs. Our curriculum is for the Head, Heart and Hand and this means we want to provide an expansive education.

Lady Joanna is a UNICEF Rights Respecting School, which empowers the children to learn more about their rights and how they work in practice. The school also supports children to become courageous advocates through the School Council and we are proud of our environment and promote environmental issues.

Lady Joanna is a member of CARE Foundation Trust which is a group of 10 local primary schools. This provides support and shared learning opportunities across the trust.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students. You are advised that this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and therefore posts are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Lady Joanna Thornhill will carry out an online search as part of their due diligence on any shortlisted candidates. This may help identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and are publicly available online, which we might want to explore with an applicant at interview. This information will be kept on file for 6 months, in line with data protection procedures. The panel will ensure we meet our duty under the Equality Act, 2010.

We particularly welcome applications from applicants from ethnic minority groups, as they are under-represented within our school workforce.

The School reserves the right to close applications, should we find a suitable applicant prior to the closing date being met, it is therefore advised that applications are submitted as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. We will also consider part time applications. Please indicate as part of your written application whether you would like to work part time.

We do not use Agencies for our recruitment process - please do not contact us regarding this advertisement.

Job Contact Information

  • Name:Mrs R Foster
  • Address:Bridge Street, Wye, Ashford, Kent, TN25 5EA
  • Telephone: (01233) 812781
  • Email: s.swan@ladyj.kent.sch.uk

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students. You are advised that this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and therefore this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Please be aware that schools are also required to undertake online recruitment checks on shortlisted candidates under changes to Keeping Children Safe in Education.