Catering Assistant

Coast and Vale Learning Trust; Darwen; On-site; GBP 9,000 - 11,000; Part time

Job summary

St Barnabas Primary School is seeking a Catering Assistant to join the school catering team and help ensure smooth lunchtime service for pupils and staff. The role involves preparing and serving meals, working alongside the existing team to provide a welcoming lunchtime experience.

The ideal candidate will have experience in customer-focused environments, basic food preparation skills, and a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate (or commitment to obtain within 6 months).

Qualifications

• Experience in a customer-focused environment, ideally in catering.
• Supports basic food preparation and health and safety procedures.
• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or ability to obtain within 6 months).
• Ability to work under pressure and use own initiative.
• A high level of communication and organisational skills.
• The ability to use relevant technology and catering systems.
• A can-do attitude and strong customer service ethos.
• A commitment to the health, wellbeing and positive experience of pupils through the catering provision.

Responsibilities

• Assist with meal prep and service during lunchtimes.
• Support a welcoming lunchtime experience for pupils and staff.

Skills

Customer-focused

Food preparation basics

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Catering systems

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Catering Assistant

17.5 hours per week, Part Time

Permanent

Term Time Only, 43.6 weeks per year

At St Barnabas we strive to help every child to, ‘achieve great things’ and live ‘life in all its fullness’ by inspiring them with rich, fun experiences and equipping them with a love of learning. Our school has a strong Christian ethos built on our core Gospel values which the children chose themselves: Trust, Forgiveness,Friendship, Generosity, Respect, Service and Courage. St Barnabas was known in the Bible as an encourager so we try to follow his example and encourage others. With close links with our parish church, other schools in our multi-academy Trust and our dedicated team of staff, governors and parents, we take pride in, “Learning and growing together in a love-filled Christian family”.

We are looking for a Catering Assistant to join our school catering team and support the smooth running of the kitchen and lunchtime service. The successful candidate will work alongside our existing team to help prepare and serve meals, ensuring a welcoming lunchtime experience for our pupils and staff.

The right candidate will have:

• Experience working in a customer-focused environment, ideally in catering
• Experience supporting basic food preparation and following health and safety procedures
• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or the ability to take within 6 months)
• Ability to work under pressure and use own initiative
• A high level of communication and organisational skills
• The ability to use relevant technology and catering systems
• A can-do attitude and strong customer service ethos
• A commitment to the health, wellbeing and positive experience of pupils through the catering provision

What we offer:

• A warm welcome from a happy school family with a strong Christian ethos.
• Flexible, term-time hours.
• Confident and enthusiastic children who enjoy learning.
• The active support of parents and governors.
• Strong links with our local church, schools and community.
• Opportunities for professional and personal development.
• Motivated and experienced Local Governing Committee and central Cidari Trust team.
• Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Access to health and wellbeing support for you and your family.
• Employment within a Trust committed to equality of opportunity and nationally and locally negotiated pay arrangements.
• Terms and conditions protected through a formal trade union recognition agreement with all the major education and support staff unions, and supported through regular JCNC meetings.
• Access to employee benefits & rewards through Perkbox.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Visits to the Academy are encouraged and warmly welcomed by appointment through the office.

Closing date: Friday 25th September 2026 at 12noon

Proposed Interview date: Tuesday 29th September 2026 (subject to change)

The Trust reserves the right to extend or shorten the closing date for this role.

Please note that in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, an online search will be carried out as part of our safer recruitment pre-employment checks on shortlisted candidates.

We are a member of Cidari Multi Academy Trust, established in November 2013, a growing educational trust and part of the Blackburn Diocese. Cidari Education is committed to providing high quality education for all children in our academies based on clearly established Christian values and principles.

Cidari Multi Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The above post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory check supplied by the Disclosure & Barring Service. The check will include any cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions. Further information is available below.