Local authorities provide a midday meals service to school children who wish to take them. They also provide space for children 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 lunchtime controllers or lunchtime assistants. They work for county, unitary and metropolitan councils.

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 to one-and-a-half hours each day from Monday to Friday in term time.

It is often possible to work fewer than five days.

Free lunch is usually provided.

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 quarrels or disputes. 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 for the 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:

• like children
• 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 for a 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.)

Estimated salary range

Pay is usually on an hourly rate, between £5 and £6.05.

Some holiday pay is normally given. (The higher rate already includes this payment.)

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

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.