Introduction
Local authorities provide a midday meals service to
school children who wish to take them. They also provide space
forchildren to eat packed lunches. In order to give teachers
a break from working with the children, to have their own lunch -
and possibly hold meetings. Local authorities employ lunchtime
supervisors to be on duty throughout this period. Lunchtime
supervisors are sometimes called midday supervisors, lunchtime
controllers or lunchtime assistants.
Work Environment
Work is normally in primary schools although some
secondary schools also employ lunchtime staff to supervise the
younger children. The environment is normally noisy - with children
letting off steam after being in the classroom all morning.
Work can be in the school dining room and/or outside in the
playground where it can be cold but normally dry. Hours of
work are part time, usually for approximately one-and-a-half
hours each day from Monday to Friday in term time.
Daily Activities
Lunchtime supervisors are responsible for supervising
children safely during lunchtimes. The work begins with
supervising children eating lunch. They watch the children choosing
their meal from the cafeteria counter or collecting their plate
from a catering assistant at the serving hatch (depending on the
school's method of serving meals). They watch them carry the plate
or tray back to the tables, keeping an eye out for safety or
helping any children in difficulties.
They also watch the children while they are eating their meal,
encourage good manners, stop any over boisterous behaviour and
intervene in any quarrelsordisputes. This includes supervising
children who are eating their own food at tables provided.
After lunch, duties continue in the playground -or if the weather
is too cold or wet for the children to be outside - in the hall or
classrooms. There they keep an eye on children while they play,
again intervene if there are any quarrels, fights,or if the
children seem about to do anything dangerous.
They also prevent them from speaking to any strangers and make
sure that visitors are directed to the school office. They may have
to comfort crying children or sympathise over cuts and bruises. If
first aid is required they send or take children to the school
office. If they have problems they cannot deal with lunchtime
supervisors consult the school bursar or duty teacher.
They may have to care forthe personal cleanliness of children
and change their clothes if necessary. In some schools,
duties include helping catering staff to set up dining tables and
chairs in the school hall, empty tables and clearing the furniture
away when the meal is over.
Skills & Interests
Lunchtime supervisors must:
- enjoy working with children;
- be willing to listen to problems or comfort children in
distress;
- be able to keep control without imposing too much discipline -
but know when to be firm;
- be willing to spend part of the lunch break outside if the
weather permits.
Entry Requirements
No particular qualifications or experience are required.
Although this is often a job done by women with families or who
have brought up their own children, the work is also suitable for
anyone with aptitude for the job and who finds the hours suitable.
Many councils stipulate a minimum age of 18 however.
Training is largely given by head teachers. Some councils
organise induction training fora number of newly appointed
lunchtime supervisors. They also arrange to send them on courses to
obtain recognised first-aid qualifications.
As this is a job that involves contact with children it is
necessary for applicants to agree to their employing council
undertaking a police check to establish whether they have a
criminal record. (This need not be a bar to employment but is at
councils' discretion.)
Future Prospects & Opportunities
A small school might have just one lunchtime supervisor.
A large school or college could have three or more, with one acting
as senior supervisor. There are prospects of promotion
to senior lunchtime supervisor, in charge of a small number of
staff. Some people who work as lunchtime supervisors and decide
that they would like to work more hours with children go on to
train as classroom assistants.
Further Information & Services
You can get information about the job of lunchtime
supervisor from relevant departments at your local council.
Department for Education www.education.gov.uk/schools
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/)
or in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.