Gap Student - Prep School - Fixed Term

St Michael's Prep School, Otford

• Ref:KCC886-6016-343S
• Posted:14/01/2026
• Pay:£15,241.43 based on FTE salary of £20,085
• Start Date:01/09/2026
• App Close Date:20/02/2026 at 16:00
• Interviews:17/03/2026

Advert

Gap Student Opportunities at St Michael's Prep

Full Time - 5 Days per Week (Term Time Only)

Term time plus INSET days (total 34 weeks per annum)

Are you planning a career working with children or teaching? Do you need experience to get your first job or be accepted onto a course? Then look no further. St Michael’s Prep is currently seeking four dynamic and enthusiastic Gap Students to join our fantastic team. We have opportunities in both our Pre-Prep and Prep teams, offering you a unique chance to gain valuable experience and make a positive impact on children's lives.

Pre-Prep Gap Student Role: In this role, you will work closely with the Pre-Prep PE & Sports teacher and Afterschool Club Manager. You will collaborate with our fantastic Prep-based PE & Sports team, assist in our afterschool club, and support the wider Pre-Prep team. Your working hours will be from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm. From 10.30 am to 3.30 pm, you will help with PE lessons, administrative work, lunch and catering duties, and assist in the classrooms with children from 2 to 7 years old. Between 3.30 pm and 6.30 pm, you will assist in our after-school club with children from Reception up to Year 8, helping with administration tasks, managing children, and facilitating games and craft projects.

Prep Gap Student Role: In this role, you will have a fantastic opportunity to join our PE team and dive into the world of PE and Games lessons. In addition, you will take on administrative work, break duties, sports fixtures, tournament organisation, and have the opportunity to support in the classroom. This role will help you gain valuable insights into working in the teaching profession. We are looking for individuals with a genuine passion for sports, those who engage in regular physical activity, and preferably, have some experience in sports coaching, refereeing, and basic IT skills.

General Requirements:

• A genuine interest in working with children
• A passion for sports
• Basic IT skills
• Experience in sports coaching and/or refereeing is preferred
• Ability to be a reliable team player
• Creativity and enthusiasm

This isn't just a job; it's an opportunity to grow and develop in a vibrant and supportive environment.

Informal visits are welcome; please contact the HR department for further details.

The post is a one-year fixed term contract helping you gain valuable insights to working in the teaching profession.

Salary: £15,241.43 based on FTE of £20,085

Application Deadline: 20th February 2026 at 4.00 pm

Interview Date: 17 March 2026

Information about the school

St Michael’s is academically successful while remaining proud of its non‑selective, inclusive ethos and strong sense of community. Our academic and co‑curricular provision ensures that children flourish.

Our purpose‑built Pre‑Prep, with specialist spaces and wraparound care, provides a stimulating start to school life. The Early Years (Nursery to Reception) offer a nurturing foundation before pupils move into Years 1 and 2.

From Year 3, pupils join the Prep and benefit from excellent facilities and increased specialist teaching. Subject expertise grows progressively, with a more structured specialist model from Year 5, ensuring pupils are well prepared - academically, personally and organisationally - for senior school.

Our St Michael’s Learning Behaviours - Creativity, Independence, Resilience, Collaboration and Engagement - are introduced from Reception and embedded throughout the curriculum.

In Years 7 and 8, pupils benefit from the St Michael’s Diploma, an enquiry‑based programme designed to develop curiosity, confidence and creativity alongside Common Entrance and KS3 study.

Pupils move on at 11 and 13 to a wide range of leading independent, state and grammar schools, with recent offers including: Sevenoaks School, Tonbridge School, Caterham School, The Judd School, Kent College Pembury, Eastbourne College, King’s School Rochester, Ardingly College, Hurstpierpoint College, St Paul’s, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, The King’s School Canterbury, The Skinners’ School, Tonbridge Girls’ Grammar School and Brighton College.

In May 2024, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) published an excellent report recognising the strength of school life at St Michael’s, including a ‘significant strength’ for our culture of collaboration and mentorship.

St Michael’s is a standalone independent prep school governed by a Board of Governors responsible for strategic oversight. Day‑to‑day operational management is delegated to the Head and the Senior Leadership Team. The Board brings a breadth of professional expertise from sectors including law, finance, HR, engineering and education, providing strong, knowledgeable governance for the school.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Emma Blakiston
• Address:Otford Court, Row Dow, Otford, Kent, TN14 5RY
• Telephone: 01959 522137
• Email: recruitment@stmichaels.kent.sch.uk

Fax: 01959 522137

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Person Specification - Gap Student (Prep)
• Job Description Gap Student (Pre-Prep)
• Person Specification - Gap Student (Pre-Prep)
• Job Description - Gap Student (Prep)