Catering Assistant

Shorefields; Braintree; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 16,000; Part time

Job summary

A primary school is looking for a part-time Catering Assistant to help serve meals and ensure children’s welfare during lunch periods. The successful candidate will support the Catering Manager in providing a safe, efficient, and welcoming dining experience for children. This role emphasizes teamwork, communication, and adherence to hygiene standards.

Qualifications

• Proven work ethic and good time management skills.
• Ability to treat each child as an individual.
• Understanding of food hygiene practices.

Responsibilities

• Assist in serving food while maintaining safety and hygiene.
• Greet children and manage portion control during lunch service.
• Work as part of a team to ensure smooth service.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Hygiene Practices

Time Management

Job description

Position Start Date: Immediate Contract Type: Part-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 09/06/2025 Midday Date of Interviews: Trials in early June

Purpose of Job: To assist, as directed by the Catering Manager, with all aspects of serving food to the standards required by the school and for clearing during and after service.

Hours: 11:30 - 1:30 each day of term time

Duties and Responsibilities

Overarching:

· To maintain the safety and welfare of children and food hygiene practices at all times

· To work as part of team to greet and serve all children through the lunch period

· To maintain a high standard of personal and general cleanliness and hygiene to comply with statutory and school regulations.

· To be reliable, enthusiastic and dependable

· To have a proven work ethic and good time management skills

· To clear down after service to leave the kitchen set for the next day

· To attend relevant training and meetings as required

Dealing with children:

· To treat each child as an individual, getting to know names as quickly as possible

· To understand the needs of those children who have allergies and ensure that they are catered for separately as guided by the Catering Manger

· To work efficiently as part of a team to serve each child, encouraging them to communicate correctly with you

· To manage portion control so that all children receive the correct quantities

· To be warm and welcoming in your approach to children

Working with colleagues:

· To understand the role that each person in the serving line has

· To support others within the team at times of high demand, absence or difficulty by assisting them

· To follow the direction of the Catering Manager

Any other duties commensurate with the grade as may be necessary from time to time within the reasonable requirements of the Catering Manager.

In order that lunchtimes run smoothly, the catering team need to work as one. It is important that each knows their own roles within the service element but also how what they are tasked to do links with the others. Communication and co-operation are vital.

Children are only at the servery for a short period of time but it is important that they are made to feel like an individual here; while service needs to be swift and efficient, it needs to have a personal touch. A warm greeting, the use of a child's name and encouraging them to speak back to us in sentences is essential.

All applications will be treated under the safer recruitment procedures which the school upholds.

Information about the School

At St Michael’s C of E Primary School, we recognise the vital role that we have to help shape the lives of the children we are privileged to work with. Following Jesus’ example, we put the children at the heart of all we do, knowing that they are our future. Through both explicit and implicit teaching and modelling of our school vision and by living it out in practice through our four Christian Values of Love, Integrity, Creativity and Resilience” we aim to create a community within our school and beyond, which is principled and start these children off on a journey in which they will always know that Christ will be with them.

We aim to inspire children to do their best in all aspects of their lives and celebrate all their successes.Andrew Cumpstey Head Teacher

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

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