Playworker Apprentice | Primary School setting
Location: Rivacre Valley Primary School
Hours: 30 hours per week
Schedule: Monday to Friday
Salary: Apprenticeship wage for the first year
Programme length: Approximately 12 months with a permanent job once completed
Employer: Vara Sports and Education
18-24 years old only.
Earn, Learn and Build a Career Working with Children
Are you energetic, caring and passionate about helping children have fun, build confidence and develop through play?
Vara Sports and Education is recruiting a Playworker Apprentice to join our team in Ellesmere Port
This is an excellent opportunity to earn a salary while gaining a nationally recognised qualification and valuable experience within a welcoming primary-school environment.
No previous school or playwork experience is essential. We are looking for someone with the right attitude, a genuine interest in working with children and a willingness to learn.
A Fully Funded Qualification Worth Up to £12,000
As part of this opportunity, Vara Sports and Education will fund your apprenticeship training, which may be worth up to £12,000.
There is:
- No course fee for you to pay.
- No contribution required towards your training.
- No student loan.
- No hidden charges.
- No requirement to repay your training costs, even if you later leave the role or the company.
You will receive professional training, workplace mentoring and ongoing support throughout your apprenticeship at absolutely no cost to you.
Your Working Hours
You will work:
Monday to Friday, 12pm–6pm
Your role will include supporting children during lunchtime, afternoon activities, after-school provision and wraparound care.
You may have the option to work additional hours during school holidays at Vara Sports and Education holiday clubs, allowing you to gain further experience and increase your overall earnings.
What You Will Be Doing
As a Playworker Apprentice, you will:
- Plan and lead safe, engaging and age-appropriate play activities.
- Support lunchtime games, playground activities and active play.
- Help deliver after-school clubs and enrichment activities.
- Support children within the school’s wraparound-care provision.
- Encourage children to develop confidence, independence and friendships.
- Create an inclusive environment where every child feels welcomed and valued.
- Support children with different needs and abilities, including children with SEND.
- Help organise equipment, resources and activity areas.
- Supervise children and maintain appropriate safety standards.
- Build positive relationships with children, school staff and families.
- Respond calmly and professionally to children’s individual needs.
- Follow all safeguarding, health and safety and behaviour-management procedures.
- Work alongside experienced school and Vara staff who will support your development.
Your Apprenticeship
While working and earning a salary, you will complete a nationally recognised Playworker Apprenticeship qualification with an approved training provider.
Your apprenticeship will help you develop skills in areas including:
- Supporting children’s play.
- Child development.
- Safeguarding and child protection.
- Health, safety and risk management.
- Inclusive play.
- Communication with children, families and professionals.
- Planning and evaluating play opportunities.
- Supporting positive behaviour.
- Creating safe and stimulating environments.
- Professional development and reflective practice.
Your learning will take place through a combination of practical workplace experience, mentoring, coursework, observations and professional discussions.
You will have dedicated time and support to complete your apprenticeship successfully.
Who We Are Looking For
We would love to hear from applicants who are:
- Passionate about working with children.
- Friendly, positive and enthusiastic.
- Kind, patient and approachable.
- Reliable and punctual.
- Confident joining in with games and activities.
- Willing to learn and receive feedback.
- Able to work well as part of a team.
- Committed to safeguarding and children’s wellbeing.
- Available Monday to Friday between 12pm and 6pm.
Previous experience in a school, nursery, holiday club, sports club, youth group, childcare setting or voluntary role would be beneficial but is not essential.
Your attitude, reliability and commitment to children are what matter most to us.
What You Will Receive
By joining Vara Sports and Education, you will receive:
- A fully funded apprenticeship worth up to £12,000.
- No training fees or repayment costs.
- A salary while completing your qualification.
- A nationally recognised playwork qualification.
- 30 hours of consistent employment each week.
- Real experience within a fantastic primary school.
- A dedicated mentor throughout your apprenticeship.
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- Safeguarding and compliance training.
- Support from an experienced and approachable management team.
- Opportunities to work additional hours during school holidays.
- Staff appreciation, rewards and company social events.
- A genuine pathway into permanent employment and future career progression.
Many of our apprentices progress into permanent roles within playwork, wraparound care, education, sports coaching and teaching-assistant support.
About Vara Sports and Education
Vara Sports and Education works in partnership with more than 35 primary schools across Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales, supporting approximately 10,000 children every week.
We provide teaching assistants, PE provision, sports coaching, wraparound care, lunchtime activities, after-school clubs and holiday programmes.
We are proud to be known for our consistency, professionalism and commitment to treating children and staff with kindness.
Our company values are centred around one simple message:
Always Be Kind.
Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment
Vara Sports and Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
The successful applicant will be required to complete our full safer-recruitment process, including:
- An enhanced DBS check or registration with the DBS Update Service.
- Right-to-work checks.
- Two satisfactory references.
- Identity and employment-history checks.
- Safeguarding and compliance training.
- Qualification and suitability checks where applicable.
All staff and apprentices are expected to share our commitment to keeping children safe.
Apply Today
This is an excellent opportunity to gain a qualification, earn a salary and begin a rewarding career working with children.
Apply through Indeed with your current CV and a short supporting statement explaining why you would be a great Playworker Apprentice.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Pay: £872.00-£1,040.00 per month
Benefits:
Application question(s):
- Do you have any experience working with children? This could include school work, coaching, volunteering, childcare, clubs or younger family members.
- Have you worked in a school before? If so, please state below.
- Are you able to work Monday to Friday from 7:30am and finish 6:15pm? Hours are split.
- Why are you interested in becoming a Playworker Apprentice?
Location:
- Ellesmere Port CH66 1LE (required)
Work Location: In person
