Catering Assistant

Acorn Care and Education; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 13,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist educational institution in Cambridgeshire seeks a Catering Assistant to join their team. In this role, you will assist in providing a positive lunchtime experience for pupils, ensuring food safety, and preparing nutritious meals. Ideal candidates will possess a catering qualification and a Level 2 Food Safety Certificate. You will work 21.75 hours per week on a permanent, term-time-only contract, with an attractive pay structure and benefits focused on well-being. Apply now for a fulfilling opportunity to make a difference!

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme with options to increase contributions

Access to mental health support services

Flexible Benefits Platform

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Family Growth Support

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role is desirable.
• Ability to prepare fresh, nutritious meals to a high standard.

Responsibilities

• Assist with preparing, cooking, and serving healthy, nutritious meals.
• Ensure lunchtimes run smoothly and safely.
• Keep kitchen and dining areas clean, organised, and in line with hygiene standards.
• Support pupils during lunchtime, reporting any concerns.
• Follow food hygiene, health & safety, and school safeguarding policies.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Patience

Friendly approach

Education

Catering or hospitality qualification (e.g., City & Guilds, NVQ)

Level 2 Food Safety Certificate

Job description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four? At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full‑time pay. Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title: Catering Assistant
Location: Papworth Hall School, Papworth Everard CB23 3RD
Salary: £12,853.16 per annum / £13.25 p/h (not pro rata)
Hours: 21.75 hours per week | Monday – Friday
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: December 2025
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our growth in service, Papworth Hall School is looking for a friendly and reliable Catering Assistant to join our team.

About the Role

You will play a key role in creating a positive, welcoming lunchtime experience for our pupils, supporting their health, wellbeing, and enjoyment of school life. Working alongside the Kitchen Manager, you will assist in preparing, cooking, and serving nutritious meals that cater to all learners, including those with specific dietary requirements. You’ll also have daily interaction with pupils, helping make lunchtimes calm, enjoyable, and inclusive for children with a range of special educational needs. Strong communication skills, patience, and a friendly approach are essential to this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with preparing, cooking, and serving healthy, nutritious meals.
• Ensure lunchtimes run smoothly and safely, maintaining a positive and calm atmosphere.
• Keep kitchen and dining areas clean, organised, and in line with hygiene standards.
• Support pupils during lunchtime, reporting any concerns to teaching staff.
• Follow food hygiene, health & safety, and school safeguarding policies.

Experience & Qualifications

• Catering or hospitality qualification (e.g., City & Guilds, NVQ) preferred.
• Level 2 Food Safety Certificate.
• Experience in a similar role is desirable.
• Ability to prepare fresh, nutritious meals to a high standard.

About Us

Papworth Hall School is in the picturesque village in Cambridgeshire. It is within close proximity to Huntingdon and Cambridge. Our new specialist school caters for young people with complex communication needs, autism and associated learning and emotional needs and has the capacity for 30 students. For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults.

As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care. We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks
• Market‑leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.