Catering Assistant

Lawley Village Academy; Dawley; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawley Village Academy is seeking a Catering Assistant to assist with everyday kitchen tasks, food safety, and serving meals to pupils and staff. You will work under the kitchen manager to prepare fresh vegetables, salads, and fruit and ensure meals are served with a smile.

The role involves light cooking, general kitchen and dining room duties, and maintaining cleanliness in line with food safety standards. A sense of humour and teamwork are valued in this school environment.

Qualifications

• Basic food preparation of fruits, vegetables and salads under supervision.
• Simple cooking duties under supervision.
• Serving meals to pupils and staff with a friendly, efficient approach.
• General kitchen and dining room duties including washing up and maintaining cleanliness.

Responsibilities

• Prepare basic food items under supervision of the kitchen manager.
• Perform simple cooking tasks as directed to support meal service.
• Serve meals to students and staff in a timely manner.
• Assist with cleaning the kitchen and dining areas, and with moving tables and chairs as needed.
• Ensure a safe and clean environment by following procedures and hygiene standards.

Skills

Food prep

Cooking

Serving meals

Kitchen cleaning

Customer service

Tools

HACCP basics

Job description

<p>Lawley Village 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.</p><p>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!</p><h3>Key duties and responsibilities:</h3><ul> <li>The basic preparation of food e.g. fresh vegetables, salads and fresh fruit under the supervision of the kitchen manager.</li> <li>Simple cooking duties under the supervision of the kitchen manager.</li> <li>Serving of meals to customers under the supervision of the kitchen manager.</li> <li>Others general kitchen and dining room duties e.g. washing up, moving tables and chairs, sweeping and mopping.</li> <li>With others cleaning the kitchen and its surrounds.</li> <li>To be aware of customer service needs.</li> <li>Under the direction of the kitchen manager to ensure that food is prepared and served in a safe manner.</li> <li>Under the direction of the kitchen manager to comply with all relevant legislation.</li> </ul> <p> <b>For further information about the role come and visit our school! To book your visit or for an informal discussion, please contact the school office. School visits are encouraged but are by appointment only.</b></p> <h3>Why Work with REAch2 Academy Trust?</h3> <p>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:</p> <ul> <li>Excellence & Development: We prioritise high standards and offer extensive professional development and career growth opportunities.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Supportive & Collaborative:Be part of a strong, collaborative community of over 60 schools where every voice is valued, and best practices are shared.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Well-being Focus: We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer robust well-being support for all staff.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Diversity & Inclusion: We celebrate diversity and believe that varied perspectives strengthen our schools.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Innovation & Impact: Bring creativity to the classroom and make a real difference in children's lives.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>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.</li> </ul> <p>Join us to grow your career, collaborate with passionate educators, and make a lasting impact on future generations.</p> <h3>Benefits</h3> <p>We offer a range of benefits to support your career and well-being:</p> <ul> <li>Generous Annual Leave: healthy work-life balance.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Professional Development: Access diverse CPD and training opportunities to grow your skills.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>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. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Exclusive Discounts: Benefit from Blue Light Card offers and employee perks.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Well-being Support: Receive comprehensive well-being and employee assistance for you and your family.</li> </ul> <p>Join REAch2 for a rewarding career with great benefits!</p> <h3>Safeguarding, Safer Recruitment and Data Protection</h3> <p>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.</p> <p>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.A 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.</p> <p>For more information about our safer recruitment processes, please click here for our Safer Recruitment Policy.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>