Catering Assistant

Shorefields; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 6,800 - 7,400; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Full training provided

Training in safeguarding

Job summary

Great Waltham Church of England Primary School in the United Kingdom is seeking a friendly and hardworking Catering Assistant to join a busy kitchen team.

The role involves preparing around 220 hot meals daily, supporting a busy service, and contributing to a caring school environment.

Qualifications

• Hardworking and proactive with a positive approach to teamwork.
• Interest in preparing high-quality meals for children.
• Full training will be provided; previous catering experience is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• General kitchen cleaning duties.
• Operating kitchen equipment, including the dishwasher.
• Supporting with basic food preparation.
• Opportunity to serve meals front of house to pupils.

Skills

Teamwork

Food handling

Dishwashing

Food safety awareness

Tools

Dishwasher

Kitchen equipment

Job description

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

Application Close: 30/10/2026 Midnight Date of Interviews: TBC

Catering Assistant

Great Waltham Church of England Primary School

Due to the increasing popularity of our delicious school lunches, Great Waltham Church of England Primary School is looking for a friendly, enthusiastic and hardworking Catering Assistant to join our welcoming and supportive kitchen team.

We are a thriving village school of 190 pupils, guided by our ASPIRE values and our vision: "Let all that you do be done in love."

Salary

Scale 2, Point 4-5 (dependent on experience)

Actual salary £6,814 - £6,922

Hours

12 hours per week

Working pattern Mon-Thu: 11:00-13:30; Fri: 11:30-13:30

Contract

Part-time, permanent, term time only (38 weeks)

Start date

1st September 2026

Reports to

Catering Manager

About the Role

We are looking for a hardworking, proactive person with a genuine passion for food and a positive approach to teamwork. You will play an important part in delivering high-quality meals to our children in a busy, friendly kitchen, helping us prepare approximately 220 hot meals a day, including meals for a neighbouring school. The ability to work efficiently and collaboratively is essential.

Key responsibilities include

• General kitchen cleaning duties
• Operating kitchen equipment, including the dishwasher
• Supporting with basic food preparation
• Opportunities to serve meals front of house to our pupils
• Previous catering experience is preferred but not essential, as full training is provided.

Training & Development

We are committed to supporting our staff from the outset. Full training will be provided, including:

• Safeguarding
• Anaphylaxis and allergy training
• Level 2 Food Hygiene

You’ll also have access to the National College online training platform as part of our ongoing commitment to staff development.

Visits & Applications

We warmly welcome and encourage visits to the school - it's the best way to see our team and kitchen in action. For further information or to arrange a visit, please contact our School Business Manager, Nichola Goodwin.

Interviews will be held as soon as possible.

Please note: Great Waltham Primary School reserves the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is appointed. If you have previously applied for a catering position at the school, there is no need to reapply at this time.

About Our School

Great Waltham Church of England VC Primary School is located in the beautiful village of Great Waltham and caters for children aged 4-11. Built in 1847, our school is full of character and set within stunning grounds.

Our vision, "Let all that you do be done in love," underpins everything we do.

By the time children leave Great Waltham Primary School, we aspire for them to have:

A strong work ethic that benefits themselves and others

A wide range of practical, social, and emotional life skills

Self-respect and respect for others, regardless of ability, race, religion, or culture

The confidence to work independently and collaboratively, taking responsibility for themselves and those around them

Our ASPIRE ethos-Aspiration, Strength, Perseverance, Integrity, Responsibility, Empathy-is central to school life and embraced by both staff and pupils. We pride ourselves on providing a caring, nurturing environment where every child can reach their full academic, social, moral, and physical potential.

Information about the School

Great Waltham Church of England VC Primary School is situated in the pretty village of Great Waltham catering for pupils from 4 - 11. The school was built in 1865 and has wonderful character and beautiful grounds.

Our school vision is 'Let all that you do be done in love'.

• Developed a strong work ethic both for their own benefit and the benefit of others.
• Developed a strong set of practical, social and emotional life skills.
• Developed, through the teaching of our Christian and British values, self-respect and respect for others, whatever their ability, race, religion or culture.
• Gained the skills to work independently, either on their own or as part of a group, and take responsibility for both forthemselves and others.

We pride ourselves in creating a caring environment based on Christian values that allows children to reach their full academic, social, moral and physical potential. The ethos of the school is to ASPIRE which is an acronym for Aspiration, Strength, Perseverance, Integrity, Responsibility and Empathy, all staff and children hold these values dearly.

Great Waltham C of E Primary School fully complies with information legislation. For the full details on how we use your personal information please click here;

https://www.greatwaltham.school/gdpr or call 01245 360395 if you are unable to access the internet.

Nichola Goodwin - School Business Manager
South Street
Great Waltham, Chelmsford
Essex, CM3 1DF Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]