Mealtime Assistant (Maternity Cover)

Mealtime Assistant

Job Type: Maternity Cover

Hours: 5 hours per week (12pm – 1pm), 38 weeks per year

Salary: Grade SC1, NJC 2 Actual salary £2,778 (FTE £24,413)

Application Deadline: 9am on Friday 17^th October 2025

Interview date: Friday 24^th October 2025

Job Start Date: ASAP

Are you passionate about providing children with a safe and structured mealtime where they can eat and play with their friends. If this sounds like you then St Sidwell’s Primary School, based in Exeter, are looking for a maternity cover Mealtime Assistant to join their team. We are looking for a caring individual who can lead play, interact with the children and undertake the responsibility of supervising and ensuring the safety of the children at all times.

The main duties of the role are:

• Set up the dining hall
• To set up and lead play activities in the playground;
• Supervision of all pupils during their meal time and organising the dinner queue
• To co-ordinate play for pupils;
• To assist with the well-being of pupils during lunchtime;
• To support the supervision of children during lunch and play, using your initiative to ensure caring quality provision is continuously made.

Experience of working with children is not essential, just the passion to help improve the life chances of children within a school environment whilst being prepared to work inside and outside in all weathers.

Applicants should outline the experience and expertise they would bring to this role. 

Your online application needs to be completed by 9am on 17^th October 2025. Provisional interview date is 24^th October 2025.

Please note it is our process to apply for references for shortlisted applicants and to complete online searches in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, for all shortlisted applicants. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS Disclosure is required for this post.

Please visit the below website for our Trust policies and our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy:

https://www.stchristophersmat.org/key-information/item/10/trust-policies

Our commitment to EDI

We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and are committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Applicants who meet the criteria will be considered for employment, regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age or veteran status.