Catering Assistant

Chigwell Primary Academy; Chigwell; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Professional development

Flexible & family-friendly

Exclusive discounts

Well-being support

Job summary

Chigwell Primary Academy is seeking a Catering Assistant to help prepare fresh vegetables, salads and fruit under the kitchen manager, and to support service during lunchtimes in a busy school environment.

You'll work as part of a friendly team, show a good sense of humour, and contribute to safe food handling, hygiene and customer service in reception and dining areas. Previous catering experience is beneficial, and a flexible approach to shifts and term-time patterns is welcome.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering or kitchen environment preferred.
• Ability to follow hygiene and food safety rules.
• Willingness to work as part of a school kitchen team.

Responsibilities

• Basic preparation of food: vegetables, salads, fruit under supervision.
• Simple cooking duties under supervision.
• Serving meals to pupils and staff.
• General kitchen and dining room duties: washing up, moving tables, sweeping and mopping.
• Cleaning kitchen and surrounding areas.
• Ensure food is prepared and served safely.

Skills

Food handling

Customer service

Teamwork

Job description

Chigwell Primary Academyare looking for a Catering Assistant who can whip up a mean mac & cheese, serve up smiles and maybe even master the art of the perfect consistency for custard.

No cape required—just bring your sense of humour, a love for children, and the ability to navigate a lunch rush like a pro. If you can handle the heat of the kitchen (and a few picky eaters), we want you on our team!

Chigwell Primary Academy has an exciting opportunity for an individual to join the school and REAch2 Academy Trust as a Catering Assistant.

Key duties and responsibilities:

The basic preparation of food e.g. fresh vegetables, salads and fresh fruit under the supervision of the kitchen manager.

Simple cooking duties under the supervision of the kitchen manager.

Serving of meals to customers under the supervision of the kitchen manager.

Others general kitchen and dining room duties e.g. washing up, moving tables and chairs, sweeping and mopping.

With others cleaning the kitchen and its surrounds.

To be aware of customer service needs.

Under the direction of the kitchen manager to ensure that food is prepared and served in a safe manner.

Under the direction of the kitchen manager to comply with all relevant legislation.

Why Work with REAch2 Academy Trust?

Join REAch2 Academy Trust, one of the UK's largest primary academy trusts, with a mission to unlock the potential of every child, regardless of their background. Here’s why joining our team can be an exciting and fulfilling career choice:

• Excellence & Development: We prioritise high standards and offer extensive professional development and career growth opportunities.

• Supportive & Collaborative:Be part of a strong, collaborative community of over 60 schools where every voice is valued, and best practices are shared.

• Well-being Focus: We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer robust well-being support for all staff.

• Diversity & Inclusion: We celebrate diversity and believe that varied perspectives strengthen our schools.

• Innovation & Impact: Bring creativity to the classroom and make a real difference in children’s lives.

• Making a difference: Working with REAch2 means contributing to something bigger than yourself. You’ll be helping to shape the lives of young learners, making a meaningful impact on communities and future generations.

Join us to grow your career, collaborate with passionate educators, and make a lasting impact on future generations.

Benefits

We offer a range of benefits to support your career and well-being:

• Generous Annual Leave: healthy work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Access diverse CPD and training opportunities to grow your skills.

• Flexible & Family-Friendly: We are committed to supporting flexible working and requests will be considered on an individual basis, including options such as part time, term-time, home working, and other options that work for both the employee and the Trust.

• Exclusive Discounts: Benefit from Blue Light Card offers and employee perks.

• Well-being Support: Receive comprehensive well-being and employee assistance for you and your family.

Join REAch2 for a rewarding career with great benefits!

Safeguarding, Safer Recruitment and Data Protection

At REAch2 we recognise that those who work in an academy are in a unique position in their care of children. The responsibility for all staff to safeguard pupils and promote their welfare, as stated in Section 175 of the Education Act (2002) is one that is central to our ethos, our policies and our actions. All children are deserving of the highest levels of care and safeguarding, regardless of their individual characteristics or circumstances, and we are committed to applying our policies to ensure effective levels of safeguarding and care are afforded to all our pupils.

We will seek to recruit the best applicant for the job based on the abilities, qualifications, experience as measured against the job description and person specification. The recruitment and selection of staff will be conducted in a professional, timely and responsive manner and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.An enhanced DBS disclosure will be requested for all successful candidates, including a Children's Barred List check if the role meets the criteria for regulated activity.

All information is stored securely, and any information supplied by unsuccessful candidates will be destroyed through a confidential waste system six months after the decision has been communicated, in accordance with our information and records retention policy.

The Trust ensures all applicant data is stored and processed appropriately. For further details on how your information will be managed during the recruitment process please refer to our Privacy Notice for Job Applications.