Location: Cavendish Close Infant and Nursery School, Wood Road, Chaddesden, Derby, DE21 4LY
Hours: Term time only - 11:30 to 14:30 (3 hours a day)
Monday to Friday, 15 hours a week
Contract type: Fixed term initially, from as soon as possible until Friday 23 July 2027, with the potential to become a permanent role
The Governing Body at Cavendish Close Infant and Nursery School are looking for a friendly, vibrant and caring Midday Supervisor to join our dedicated team to assist in the delivery of safe and positive dinner time experiences for all our children every day.
Are you looking for an exciting and challenging opportunity to work at a successful school?
Do you believe that every child deserves access to high quality provision?
If you have the genuine drive to achieve excellence and want to work with a team of equally supportive and professional colleagues, this may be the role you are looking for.
The successful candidate will be expected to work under the direction of our dinner time leaders (two Learning Mentors) and within our team of teaching assistants and midday supervisors.
The role of a midday supervisor is a vital part of a school's daily operation and the wider educational experience of children. Midday supervisors have a significant impact on children's safety, wellbeing, and social development during the school day. Here are some key reasons why the role is so important:
1. Ensuring Calm and Orderly Transitions
Midday supervisors help children move around the school in a calm and orderly manner, particularly between the classrooms, dining hall and outdoor areas. This supports a safe school environment, prevents accidents, and helps reinforce routines and respect for rules.
2. Promoting Healthy Eating Habits
By assisting children in choosing and eating a healthy meal, midday supervisors contribute to their physical wellbeing and nutrition. They encourage children to try new foods, eat balanced meals, and develop good table manners and eating habits.
3. Encouraging Active Play and Inclusion
Leading games and play activities outside allows children to develop physical skills, burn off energy, and enjoy social interaction. Midday supervisors help make sure that all children are included, promoting teamwork, fairness, and fun in a safe environment.
4. Engaging Positively with Children
By engaging with children while also supervising their safety, midday supervisors build trusting relationships. This helps children feel secure, heard, and supported during a less structured part of their day.
5. Supporting Social and Emotional Development
Midday supervisors often help resolve playground disagreements, guide children in conflict resolution, and support them in developing positive social skills such as sharing, turn-taking, and empathy.
6. Modelling Kindness and Inclusivity
A kind and inclusive approach sets the tone for how children treat one another. Midday supervisors who show respect and compassion help foster a culture of inclusion and belonging within the school.
7. Working Respectfully with Colleagues
Developing professional relationships with other staff and children ensures consistent communication, teamwork, and a unified approach to behaviour and care. This helps create a cohesive school environment where everyone feels respected and valued.
In summary, midday supervisors are crucial for maintaining a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable dinner time experience. Their work supports children's physical health, emotional wellbeing, and social development — making a real difference in the school day and in the lives of the children they care for.
We will offer the successful candidate a friendly, welcoming and supportive environment that is dedicated to professional development and high expectations for all.
Cavendish Close Infant and Nursery School is committed to equality of opportunity in employment and services. We will offer the successful candidate a friendly, welcoming and supportive environment that is dedicated to professional development and high expectations for all.
Cavendish Close Infant and Nursery School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As this post is regulated activity, successful appointments are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and relevant recruitment checks that comply with guidance in the most recent version of Keeping Children Safe in Education. We would like to remind candidates that it is illegal to apply for this position if you are included on the barred list.
Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer and the relevant employer from the last time you worked with children (if applicable).
All shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a self-declaration form during the recruitment process. The role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, meaning the school has the right to know about the criminal history of job applicants (including any spent convictions) and can take this into account when making recruitment decisions. This exemption applies to all school-based jobs, as the work involves contact with children
As part of our due diligence checks, the school will carry out an online search for all shortlisted candidates. By submitting an application, you are giving your consent for this to be completed if shortlisted.
All members of staff will receive training in line with our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy which can be found on our website: https://cavclosei.derby.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Child-Protection-and-Safeguarding-Policy-2025.26.pdf
As well as completing an application form, we would be pleased to receive an accompanying letter (no more than 2 sides of A4) in which you should outline the experience, skills and qualities that you consider make you a suitable candidate for the post. Please make reference to the job description and person specification.
Please mark your application for the attention of Mrs S Kelly, School Business HR Officer.
Wood Road, Chaddesden, Derby, DE21 4LY.
[email protected]
The closing date for this vacancy is Thursday 3 September 2026 at 12 noon. Any applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
Interviews will be held Monday 14 September 2026.
