Catering Assistant

Widecombe-in-the-Moor Primary; Highweek; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Widecombe-in-the-Moor Primary School is seeking a Catering Assistant to join our busy kitchen team. 5 days a week, 17.5 hours, 38 weeks per year, with NJC Grade B pay at £13.48 per hour.

The role starts as soon as possible in October 2026 and involves assisting kitchen staff to prepare, serve and store meals for pupils, staff and visitors at our school. Ideally you have catering experience, but training will be provided.

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic, self-motivated and hardworking; assist kitchen staff to provide high quality meals.
• Willing to carry out varied roles including food preparation, storage, washing up.
• Ideally catering experience; training will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Preparation and serving of meals as required (main meal, dessert, drinks) to pupils and staff.
• Assist with laying up tables and serving counters, then clearing and tidying after lunchtime.
• Comply with Health & Safety and Food Hygiene Act; temperature testing of food.
• Clearing up and removal of waste and packaging generated by the kitchen.
• Move dining area furniture as required.

Skills

Catering experience

Team player

Food hygiene awareness

Job description

Catering Assistant

5 days a week, 17.5hrs, 38 weeks per year

NJC Grade B £13.48ph

To commence as soon as possible in October 2026

You will need to be an enthusiastic, self-motivated and hard-working individual who can assist our kitchen staff in providing high quality meals for children, staff, visitors and events at our busy school.

You will need to have an appreciation for the challenges of working in a busy kitchen and be willing to carry out a variety of roles, including food preparation, storage of food stuff, washing up as well as other activities that may change on a day-to-day basis. Ideally, you will have previous catering experience, but training will be provided.

This position will involve the collection of meals from Landscove C of E Primary School and then transporting using own vehicle to serve pupils and staff at Widecombe-in-the-Moor Primary School

Business insurance is required for the role involving transporting meals and will be reimbursed by the Trust should this inflate the premium. A mileage allowance of 55p will also be paid per mile for journeys between schools.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Preparation and serving of meals as required to include main meal, desert and drinks to pupils and staff
• Assist with the laying up of table and serving counters and then clearing, cleaning and tidying following lunchtime period
• To comply with all aspects of Health & safety and Food Hygiene Act.
• Temperature testing of food
• Clearing up and removal of waste food, packaging and other waste generated by the kitchen and its activities
• Furniture moving in dining area as required

Ideally, you will

• Previous experience in a similar role in a school or commercial environment;
• Be able to build good relationships with children and staff and be a friendly and positive presence in our school;
• Be willing to work as part of a team and have a good sense of humour;
• Be able to use your own initiative when required;
• Be able to work under pressure with tight deadlines

You will be required to complete L2 Food Hygiene and Safety and other online training courses as part of your induction.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and Social Media online check.