Vacancies

Hayes School is a happy, thriving primary school in the seaside town of Paignton. There are approximately 350 children on roll, including nursery children. The children are mixed ability, with two classes per year group. Our strong team of teachers are supported by highly skilled teaching assistants. Our administrative support is both friendly and efficient.

“Staff are appreciated, valued and supported” Ofsted 2024.

Hayes School has a deep vision and passion for learning, and supporting children to “be all they can be”. We are committed to high quality teaching for all our children and believe that creativity is at the heart of education. Join us in exploring what learning can be like and help us develop the most exciting environment possible.

MEALTIME LEARNING AND PLAY ASSISTANT

Permanent position starting as soon as possible

Salary Grade: NJC Scale Point 3 – £25,614 Full time equivalent (actual £6,068.74)

Hours: 12 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (paid pro rata)

Have your children recently started school and you’re looking to step back into work? Are you looking for a new challenge? Being a Mealtime Assistant at our school might be the job for you! We are in need of a dedicated Assistant, to work alongside children with a range of needs.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Mealtime Assistant with a passion and drive to support children through learning and play. Experience or knowledge of working with children with a range of needs is an advantage. Our children are looking for a committed individual who is inspired and committed to helping them learn.

EARLY YEARS TEACHING / NURSERY ASSISTANT

(Two Year Old Provision)

Level 3 desirable – Early Educators are encouraged to apply

(Temporary until July 2027)

Salary Grade: NJC Scale Point 3 – £25,614 FTE (pro rata – actual £18,276)

Hours: 30.83 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (paid pro rata)

About Hayes School

We are delighted to be extending our vibrant school community by launching “Tiger Cubs”; a brand-new, dedicated care provision specifically for two-year-old children. We believe that a child’s educational journey starts with high-quality early years care and we are looking for an enthusiastic, nurturing, and dedicated Early Years Teaching / Nursery Assistant to help shape this exciting new provision. Working within our school environment offers a unique opportunity to build strong, seamless transitions for our youngest learners as they grow into our Nursery and Reception classes.

As a core member of our early years team, you will establish a warm, secure, and stimulating environment tailored to the unique developmental needs of two-year-olds.

The Role

As a core member of our early years team, you will establish a warm, secure, and stimulating environment tailored to the unique developmental needs of two-year-olds.

Key Responsibilities:

Deliver high-quality care and learning experiences aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
Act as a Key Person to a small group of two-year-olds, building strong, trusting partnerships with parents and carers.
Create a playful, language-rich environment that promotes physical, emotional, and social development.
Observe, track, and assess children's progress, planning age-appropriate next steps.
Ensure the highest standards of safety, safeguarding, and well-being at all times.

About You (Person Specification)

We are looking for someone who genuinely loves working with toddlers—someone who understands that learning at this age involves curiosity, messy play, and lots of reassurance.

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications: Minimum Level 3 qualification in Childcare/Early Years (or Level 2 with a commitment to working towards Level 3).
Knowledge: A solid understanding of child development for two-year-olds and the EYFS framework.
Experience: Proven experience working with children under three years old in a registered childcare setting.
Skills: Exceptional communication skills, a patient nature, and a proactive, collaborative approach to teamwork.
Certifications: Paediatric First Aid certificate (or willingness to train immediately).

What We Offer

A supportive, welcoming school team and an inclusive work environment.
Excellent opportunities for professional development and training.
Access to school facilities and local government pension/benefits schemes.
The chance to be part of a brand-new project from the ground up.

How to Apply

To download an application pack for either of these posts, please visit our school website at https://hayes.torbay.sch.uk/Vacancies/

Please note that CVs alone will not be accepted; a full school application form must be completed.

If you decide to apply, please refer to the person specification when writing the application. We are looking for the ‘right person’ to fulfil the role and we believe that recruitment is not a science based entirely on tick boxes and therefore, would encourage you to apply if you feel you are the right person for our school. We would love to meet you.

Please e-mail (admin@hayes.torbay.sch.uk) or phone 01803 557336 to arrange a telephone call to discuss the position. The closing date for both posts is Monday, 2^nd November 2026 at 12 noon.

Hayes School is a stand-alone academy with an "outstanding" quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management as recognised by Ofsted at our inspection in November 2024.

It is a happy, thriving primary school in the seaside town of Paignton. There are approximately 375 children on roll including nursery children. The children are mixed ability with two classes per year group.

We have an established Governing Body and associated Committees. The Board manages the business of the Trust and its focus is on the three core functions of governance:

Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
Holding executive leaders to account for educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
Overseeing financial performance and making sure money is well spent.

Who we are looking for:

We are in need of both a member and a school Governor. Members are like shareholders who meet 1 to 2 times per year to receive and adopt papers and oversee governance arrangements. Governors act as the critical friend of the Headteacher and senior leadership team, and provide support and challenge. The Board and Committees each meet three times per year.

Requirements for new Governors / Members

Experience in any of the following areas: Finance, Human Resources, Legal Services, Business Management;
An interest in Primary School education;
Members need to attend 1 to 2 meetings per year (meetings may be virtual)
Trustees must be able to attend at least 6 meetings a year (some may be virtual);
Dedication to the role and to providing both support and challenge to senior leaders.

Desirable

Finance expertise; ideally with knowledge of auditing businesses and/or charities.
Human Resource Management expertise
Legal expertise; ideally in contract law
Academia; with teaching or education experience and an interest in improving the student experience of education;
Strategic Change Management
Corporate Governance
Chairing
Non-executive director
Flexibility to attend meetings as required.

Directors are not paid though reasonable expenses are met. Governors serve for four years, after which they can ask to be re-elected or stand down.

To apply for the post, please send your CV and a short expression of interest to Janet Morrell, Clerk to Governors, by email at: jmorrell@hayes.torbay.sch.uk or call 075844 36093 for more details.

An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is required for all our posts. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Please note online searches may be done as part of pre-recruitment checks.