OPAL Play Worker x 2

Stocksfield Avenue Primary School
St Cuthbert’s Road
Fenham
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE5 2DQ

Fixed-term contract from April 2026 until 31 August 2027

At Smart Multi Academy Trust we provide a high quality, bespoke education full of the best opportunities and experiences to help every child learn, be happy and ultimately successful in life.

We are a family of 11 primary schools in Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Gateshead who have formed a Multi Academy Trust because we share a collective vision for excellence in education. We believes passionately that the children within our communities deserve nothing less than the very best of opportunities and experiences to become successful citizens and lifelong learners able to lead happy, fulfilling and healthy lives. We live by our vision and values every day in all aspects of what we do and its important anyone joining the Trust does as well.

Smart are recruiting for an Opal Play worker at Stocksfield Avenue Primary School.

Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) is a program focused on enhancing the quality of playtime for children. It's a structured approach to transforming school playtimes by utilising both natural and man-made resources to encourage creativity, exploration, and physical activity. The program aims to ensure that every child has an amazing playtime every day.
Are you able to keep children safe whilst providing fun and stimulating activities with them?

We are looking for staff who will get involved with play and encourage children’s creativity and imagination.

What we can offer you:

• Enthusiastic children who are curious, independent learners
• Excellent personal and professional development opportunities
• OPAL training
• A rewarding role helping children build confidence, creativity and independence through play
• An experienced and talented team of staff with a supportive Trustees and wider School / community
• The opportunity to be involved in the wider life of our Trust
• Attractive salaries
• Access to the membership of Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and other attractive benefits
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which offers a range of services such as Counselling and Physiotherapy.
• Attractive annual leave allowance including the potential to work term time only
• Opportunity for flexible working, where appropriate.
• Salary sacrifice schemes including childcare vouchers, cycle to work and car leasing
• Learning and development tailored to your role

The ideal candidate would have:

• Commitment to the ethos of the school
• The ability to demonstrate excellence in teaching and learning
• The ability to work as part of a team effectively
• The ability to establish excellent relationships with children and parents, promoting aspirational achievement and progress for all groups of pupils including children with Special Educational Needs

The successful candidate will be subject to an online search in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024) legislation.

Your principal place of work will be Stocksfield Avenue Primary School but you may be required to work at other Trust sites within Smart Multi Academy Trust within reason.

Please apply by completing the application form on the following Microsoft Forms link.
This will return your form to EPM.

Closing date: Monday 27th April 2026 at 9am
Interview date is likely to be: W/C 4th May 2026
Applications should be returned to: EPM (for any recruitment queries please contact [email protected]

Please note EPM ltd are managing the vacancy on behalf of Smart Multi Academy Trust.

Please also note that in all cases written references may be taken up and made available to interviewers BEFORE the final selection stage, even if you indicate otherwise.