Description Salary: £24,482 pro rata, £13.04 per hour (Actual Salary £4,679) Contract type: Permanent Working pattern: Part-time, term time only Closing date: 07 January 2026 at midnight Interview date: 15 January 2026 How to apply: Please select the role you are applying for on www.arkblacklandsprimary.org/vacancies and submit your application by the deadline. Ark Blacklands Primary Academy Lunchtime Play & Engagement Leader Location: Hastings 8 hours per week 11:35am - 1:10pm Monday - Friday Start date: January 2026 About the role: We are seeking to appoint an outstanding Lunchtime Play and Engagement Leader on a part-time permanent basis. This role will involve taking responsibility for ensuring safe, happy lunchtimes for the pupils at Ark Blacklands by engaging in play activities with and taking care of the children during the lunch time period in all areas inside and outside of the school. The successful candidate will: Have good interpersonal skills Have experience of establishing positive relationships with children Have an enthusiasm for and an active interest in children’s welfare and play Engage pupils in purposeful activity during the lunchtime (during both good weather and ‘wet’ lunchtimes) Be able to use their initiative and be open to new ideas View the full job description and person specification on our website. About our school: Ark Blacklands Primary Academy is Hastings' fastest-improving primary school. Located near the 109-acre Alexandra Park, we recently celebrated winning the East Sussex Healthy Schools Excellence Award. We are a large school with a new intake each year of 3 forms, with 90 pupils in each year group, from reception through to year 6. Despite this, our staff make a tremendous effort to get to know each pupil and provide them with the very best care. As part of the Ark schools’ network, we are committed to making sure that every child has access to a great education and real choices in life. We know that great schools need great staff, which is why we offer you the very best training and support at every stage of your career. Find out more by visiting www.arkblacklandsprimary.org/. We offer: Comprehensive CPD – we offer twice as many training days as standard. Access to health packages, discounts at major retailers, travel loans and other benefits, through the Ark Rewards scheme. Opportunity to apply for international exchanges and other scholarship prospects Find out more about the benefits by visiting www.arkonline.org/the-best-support. Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link.