Catering Assistant

GREENSHAW HIGH SCHOOL; Greater London; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Pension scheme

Blue Light Card

Teacher Art Pass (staff)

Employee Assistance Programme

Gym Discounts

Free eye tests

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Greenshaw High School in Sutton, South West London, is seeking a Catering Assistant to join the in-house catering team. You will help prepare and serve meals, maintain high hygiene standards and support delivery to external kitchens, while upholding the school’s ethos of healthy eating and outstanding food service.

You will work as part of a friendly team, following recipes, attending training, and ensuring safe, clean environments in line with HACCP and COSHH requirements.

Qualifications

• A good standard of literacy and numeracy.
• Willingness to undertake induction and ongoing training.
• Experience working successfully as part of a team.
• Experience providing exceptional customer service.
• Commitment to complying with health and safety, COSHH and HACCP regulations.
• Ability to follow recipes to cook delicious and nutritious meals.
• Effective communication with colleagues, students and visitors.
• Ability to work under pressure, multitask and manage time effectively.
• Discretion with confidential information.
• Desire to develop skills through CPD.
• Commitment to safeguarding and child protection.
• Desirable: a food hygiene qualification (Level 2) and, if applicable, a full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Perform general duties in the main school kitchen and dining areas.
• Assist in the preparation and cooking of school meals to the agreed standards.
• Assist with the service and presentation of food and beverages.
• Assist with the cleaning of catering areas and equipment.
• Attend training courses and meetings as required.
• Maintain records to ensure compliance with food safety and HACCP regulations.
• Keep dining area and kitchen clean and hygienic.
• Ensure accurate portioning and counting for outside kitchens.
• Assist in delivering produce to local primary schools when required.
• Undertake other duties as requested by the Head Chef or Headteacher.

Skills

Literacy skills

Numeracy skills

Teamwork

Customer service

Health & Safety

Recipe following

Communication

Initiative

Multitasking

Flexibility

Confidentiality

CPD

Safeguarding

Job description

Greenshaw High School is a highly over-subscribed 11 to 18 mixed comprehensive secondary school situated in Sutton, South West London. We are proud of our strong local reputation, having over 4,000 applications for 300 places in September 2024. In October 2024 the hard work of our students and staff was recognised by Ofsted. The inspection team described the school as offering "an exceptional standard of education", using the words "flourishing, "inclusive" and "friendly" to describe our school. In the report Quality of Education, Behaviour & Attitudes, Sixth Form and Leadership & Management were all graded as Outstanding. We have a very diverse population of students, offering a comprehensive range of opportunities for colleagues who work here. Our students - of all groups - have done incredibly well over the last few years, with our GCSE achievement always being at least in the top 20% of the country, and over 60 Sixth Form students attending Russell Group universities each year. We are looking for a Catering Assistant. This is an exciting opportunity to join GLT / Greenshaw High School and become an integral member of the Catering team. Greenshaw High School is committed to providing outstanding food and service to our students and other stakeholders, and our in-house Catering team is an integral part of the school's aim to embed healthier eating habits within our students. Our Catering Assistants deliver the highest standards of food quality and service at all times within the framework and guidelines set out by the Head Chef. Greenshaw Learning Trust is a highly successful multi academy trust that provides excellent quality, comprehensive and inclusive education through primary schools and secondary schools. Our schools are based in London, Surrey, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire, Bristol and Plymouth. We also have three shared service hubs where our central teams can be based out of. We are building a family of like-minded schools, that collaborate to provide mutual support, share their good practice and learn from each other, whilst retaining and developing their own distinctive character. We thrive from collaboration at every level. We encourage a culture of sharing ideas and learning from one another. As a Trust of schools, we are "Always Learning".

Main responsibilities

• Performing general duties in the main school kitchen and other catering areas across the school (i.e. Cool Zone, Sixth Form), and in the dining areas;
• Assisting in the preparation and cooking of school meals to the agreed standards;
• Assisting with the service and presentation of food and beverages;
• Assisting with the cleaning of catering areas and equipment;
• Attending training courses and meetings as required;
• Carrying out record keeping as necessary to ensure compliance with food safety and HACCP regulations, informing the Head Chef of any defects, hazards or food hygiene concerns relating to equipment, facilities or premises;
• Carrying out related duties to ensure that the dining area and kitchen is in a clean and hygienic condition and that the food service is effective and efficient;
• Ensuring that food portioning and counting for outside kitchens are done accurately;
• Ensuring that cleaning tasks are carried out in accordance with cleaning procedures after finishing serving meals at the outside schools;

General responsibilities

• Acting as a professional and positive role model to our students in terms of personal presentation, timekeeping and behaviour;
• Playing a full part in promoting healthy eating as part of the Food for Life and Green Kitchen Schemes;
• Being responsible for keeping up to date with the requirements of the role, by attending appropriate INSET and training courses, meetings, and keeping abreast of changes in legislation;
• Being aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, equal opportunities and race equality, health and safety, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person;
• We cater to a number of local primary schools, this includes delivering produce to them on a daily basis. At times, you may be asked to assist in the delivery and in driving the catering van;
• Undertaking any other duties commensurate with the post as may be required by the Head Chef or the Headteacher.

You will need: Essential

• A good standard of literacy and numeracy skills
• Willingness to undertake induction and ongoing training
• Previous experience of working successfully as part of a team
• Previous experience of providing exceptional customer service
• Commitment to complying with all relevant regulation and legislation in relation to kitchen management, food preparation and serving including Health and Safety, Food Hygiene, COSHH and HACCP
• A passion for food and the ability to follow recipes to cook delicious and nutritious
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, students, parents and other visitors in a professional manne
• Ability to work constructively as part of a team, making a positive contribution, whilst building good relationships with colleagues
• Ability to show initiative and work under pressure, multi-task and manage time effectively
• Ability to work flexibly to support others and respond to unplanned situations
• Able to appropriately deal with confidential information
• Desire to enhance and develop skills and knowledge through CPD
• Demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding and the highest standards of child protection
• Recognition of the importance of personal responsibility for Health and Safety
• Commitment to the school's ethos, aims and its whole community

Desirable

• A food hygiene qualification (Level 2 or equivalent)
• Full UK drivers licence
• Experience of working in a busy kitchen
• Experience of catering or a similar role in a school or similar establishment
• Experience of working in a school environment or similar establishment
• Experience of working with stock levels
• Basic knowledge of Health and Safety guidelines

What's in it for you

• Professional development and career progression
• Generous pension scheme
• Blue Light Card
• Eligibility for Teacher Art Pass (teaching staff only)
• An Employee Assistance Programme
• Gym Discounts
• Free eye tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Being part of a great team and expanding organisation

Closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 27th September 2026. We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date.

We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse workplace where everyone can thrive.

If you require any support or adjustments to interact with us, please let us know.

Greenshaw Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment.