1. Home: Explore careers
  2. School lunchtime supervisor

School lunchtime supervisor

Alternative titles for this job include Lunchtime assistant

Lunchtime supervisors work in primary, secondary and special schools, looking after children during the lunch break.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

16 to 18 term time

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a school lunchtime supervisor

You can get into this job through:

  • applying directly

Direct Application

You can apply directly to vacancies advertised by schools in your local area.

More Information

Career tips

Experience of working with children and a first aid qualification could give you an advantage when applying for jobs.

Further information

You can find details of schools in your area from your local council.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • active listening skills
  • customer service skills
  • a desire to help people
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • help children cut up their food, if needed
  • encourage good behaviour and table manners
  • supervise children in the playground (or indoors if wet weather)
  • comfort children who are upset
  • deal with minor injuries like cuts, grazes and bruises
  • organise games

Working environment

You could work at a school.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a senior supervisor.

You could also become a teaching assistant with further training.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a school lunchtime supervisor right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Support Work In Schools Level 2

  • Provider: ITCHEN COLLEGE
  • Start date: 30 August 2023
  • Location: Bitterne

Award in Support Work in Schools - October start

  • Provider: EKC GROUP
  • Start date: 01 October 2023
  • Location: Broadstairs
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturday and bank holidays

We're closed Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.