Outdoor Play Leader (Lunchtime)

• Fender_M23_Outdoor_Play_Leader
• Guidance_on_the_use_of_the_equality_and_diversity_form
• Job_application_-_School_-_Disclosure_form-_June_2024
• Job_application_-_School_-_Monitoring_of_Equality_and_Diversity-_June_2024
• FENDER_SOCIAL_MEDIA_SEARCH_FORM_OPLL

The Outdoor Play Leader is responsible for developing and sustaining a high-quality, inclusive and engaging outdoor play environment across the school.

The role focuses on ensuring that all pupils have access to rich, varied and meaningful play experiences that support their social, emotional and physical development.

The postholder will work alongside our Outdoor and Forest School Lead to help support the design and organisation of outdoor play provision, ensuring it is well-resourced, stimulating and responsive to the interests and needs of all children. This includes overseeing a balance of child-led and supported play opportunities, with a strong emphasis on creativity, exploration, cooperation and challenge.

The Outdoor Play Leader will manage and develop a wide range of play materials, including open-ended and natural resources, ensuring they are used safely, imaginatively and effectively.

A key aspect of the role is to champion a positive play culture across the school. The Outdoor Play Leader will model high-quality interactions, encouraging pupils to take appropriate risks, solve problems, build resilience and develop independence. They will support children in negotiating, collaborating and managing conflict, using restorative and reflective approaches in line with the school's values.

The role also involves working closely with staff to build confidence and consistency in outdoor play practice. This includes providing guidance, sharing strategies and contributing to ongoing development of provision through reflection and evaluation. The Outdoor Play Leader will ensure that outdoor spaces are inclusive and accessible, enabling all pupils to feel a sense of belonging and enjoyment.

Above all, the Outdoor Play Leader will play a pivotal role in creating a vibrant, dynamic outdoor environment where children are empowered to lead their own play, take ownership of their experiences and thrive.

We wish to appoint:

An enthusiastic, creative and committed Outdoor Play Leader who is passionate about the power of play.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and lead high-quality outdoor provision, ensuring all children experience rich, inclusive and engaging play opportunities that support their wellbeing, development and enjoyment of school life.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop high-quality outdoor play provision across the school
• Organise, manage and maintain a wide range of engaging and accessible play resources
• Create a stimulating outdoor environment that promotes creativity, independence, cooperation and appropriate risk-taking
• Support positive behaviour through strong relationships and restorative approaches
• Engage actively with pupils, modelling high-quality interactions and inclusive play, especially across the lunch time.
• Work collaboratively with staff to build confidence and consistency in play practice
• Monitor and evaluate provision to ensure continuous improvement
• Ensure all play activities are safe, inclusive and meet the needs of all pupils

We will offer you:

• The support of an exceptional Outdoor and Forest School Lead
• The opportunity to shape and lead an exciting and valued aspect of school life
• A supportive and collaborative staff team
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
• A school culture that prioritises wellbeing, inclusion and pupil voice
• Enthusiastic, energetic children who enjoy being active and creative
• A commitment to developing high-quality outdoor environments and resources

For further details on the role, please see the attached M23 Person Specification.

We would warmly welcome informal visits to our school on the following date:
Thursday 30th April 2026 (4.00pm)

Please confirm your attendance by emailing businessmanager@fender.wirral.sch.uk.

We look forward to receiving applications from candidates whose personal qualities, values and experiences meet the requirements. Please make sure you read our person specification carefully and provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria.

Your completed application form together with a covering letter (no longer than two A4 sides in Arial size 11 font) should be addressed to the Headteacher and emailed to businessmanager@fender.wirral.sch.uk

CVs are not required or accepted.

The Application Timetable is:
Closing date for applications - Monday 11th May (5pm)
Shortlisting - Wednesday 13th May
Observations/Interviews - Wednesday 20th May

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to an enhanced disclosure from the DBS as well as other pre-appointment checks including a medical screening and references to comply with the requirements of Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2025.

As part of the recruitment process, we will carry out an online search. This will be for all candidates invited to interview. Please complete and return the social media form with your application. If there is anything you wish to make us aware of, prior to the search being completed, please contact: businessmanager@fender.wirral.sch.uk

All applicants will be considered on the basis of suitability for the post regardless of sex, race or disability.