SCHOOL MEALS SUPERVISORY ASSISTANT (S.M.S.A.)

Overview

CASUAL SCHOOL MEALS SUPERVISOR ASSISTANT (SMSA) Required As soon as possible

Weald Rise Primary School is seeking a friendly, enthusiastic, and dependable individual to join our team as a Relief School Meals Supervisory Assistant (SMSA). This is a flexible, as-and-when-required position to cover staff absences.

The ideal candidate will enjoy working with children, be proactive in ensuring their safety and wellbeing during lunchtime, and contribute to creating a positive and inclusive environment. Good communication skills, a caring nature, and the ability to work well as part of a team are essential.

Previous experience in a school or similar setting is desirable, and a willingness to undertake relevant training is required.

Weald Rise Primary School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all its staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to enhanced DBS clearance and Occupational Health referral. Weald Rise Primary School is a Rights Respecting School; we seek to employ someone who will uphold our rights respecting values, behaviour procedures and school values.

Job description & Personal attributes

JOB TITLE: SCHOOL MEALS SUPERVISORY ASSISTANT (S.M.S.A.) Core Purpose:

To be responsible for securing and maintaining the safety, welfare and conduct of pupils in the dining areas, playground and circulation areas during the midday break period.

Main Duties

Pastoral Care & Supervision

To supervise the children in the classrooms, corridors and playground. This will include supervision indoors in wet weather.
To take prompt action when dealing with accidents and incidents and reporting those to the senior supervisor in charge.
To be proactive in seeking information about specific children their needs, behaviours and strategies to support them.
To promote high standards of behaviour.
To be particularly aware of the exits and entrances to the playgrounds and ensure that they are supervised at all times to prevent wrongful access to or exit of any child.
To report concerns in relation to child protection to the designated teacher or Headteacher.
To listen to children and respond to their needs in accordance with school policy and procedures.
To attend to the health, welfare and safety of children during lunchtime adhering to school’s Health and Safety Policy and procedures at all times.

First Aid

To give basic aid to injured children including making an assessment of the problem, calling for assistance of the nominated First Aider or escorting the child to the Welfare Room.

Dining Room – General Duties

To assist in preparation for the mealtime, including setting up the Dining Hall and issuing meals, supervising toileting and hand washing, access to packed lunches, queuing in corridors and in the Dining Hall, movement of children to and from the Dining Hall.
To be diligent in relation to safety by ensuring that wet floors, spillages, etc. are dealt with promptly.
To assist children with meals, e.g., opening packed lunches and drink containers.
To assist with clearing of used equipment, wiping down tables during continuous sittings to ensure cleanliness of places for subsequent children, mopping up spillages on floors and wiping tables at the end of the lunch session.
To direct pupils to seats.
To encourage pupils to eat and be aware of pupils on special or restricted diets for medical reasons.
To encourage social skills and good table manners, ensuring safety with knives and forks.

Professional Development

To engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training.
To attend meetings for lunchtime support assistants, staff meetings and training days when required.
To hold a current First Aid certificate or do the necessary training to obtain one when required.

Communication & Community Links

To maintain confidentiality at all times.
To contribute positively to and support the overall aims and ethos of the school.
To fully support the life and work of the school.
To develop and maintain positive, constructive and effective professional relationships with staff, parents, carers.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

Desirable

a first aid qualification
a relevant qualification in relation to working with children

EXPERIENCE

Essential

experience of working as part of a team

Desirable:

experience of working with children and families in a school setting

JOB RELATED KNOWLEDGE, APTITUDES AND SKILLS

Essential

an ability to show initiative and apply effective strategies to deal with situations which may arise in the playground e.g., taking appropriate action if it starts raining or dealing with a disagreement between children
an ability to interact positively with pupils, parents and colleagues

Desirable:

a knowledge of different playground games and activities and an ability to engage children in cooperative play
Knowledge of relevant community languages – Arabic, Somali, Urdu, Gujarati, Romanian

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential

Confidence, warmth, sensitivity, reliability and enthusiasm
Ability to communicate effectively with children and young people
Good interpersonal skills.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Essential

Commitment to equality of opportunity for all regardless of gender, disability, religion, and ethnic origin

Salary & Benefits

Salary: GO2 pt 8 (£14.25 per hour)
Hours: 1.25 hrs per day 11.45 am to 1 pm

As and When Required Monday to Friday

Term Time Only

Contract type: Casual – As and when required
Reporting to: Senior SMSA

Location

Weald Rise Primary School
Robin Hood Drive
Harrow
London
HA3 7DH

Supporting documents

Deadline and how to apply

Closing Date: Thursday 18th September 2025

Short Listing: Friday 19th September 2025

Interviews: W/C Monday 22nd September 2025

Application by completing an application form –(download above) which should be completed and returned to: recruitment@wealdrise.harrow.sch.uk

No agencies please.