Catering Assistant

Acorn Care and Education; Leigh; On-site; GBP 23,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Leigh is seeking a friendly and reliable Catering Assistant to join their kitchen team. In this role, you will help prepare and serve nutritious meals, maintain a clean kitchen environment, and ensure the safety and comfort of pupils during mealtimes. Ideal candidates are team players with high standards of cleanliness, effective communication skills, and a commitment to safeguarding. This position offers a permanent contract and a chance to make a positive impact on pupils' lives.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension Scheme

Mental Health Support Services

Flexible Benefits Platform

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Qualifications

• Friendly, reliable, and enthusiastic.
• Ability to follow health and safety regulations.
• Willingness to participate in training.

Responsibilities

• Support preparation, cooking, and serving of meals.
• Maintain cleanliness across kitchens and dining areas.
• Assist with clearing and washing up after meals.
• Monitor food supplies and report shortages.
• Follow food hygiene regulations at all times.
• Support lunchtime supervision and ensure students are safe.

Skills

Team Player

Cleanliness and Organisation

Communication in English

Commitment to Safeguarding

Job description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four? At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay. Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title: Catering Assistant

Location: The Holden School, Leigh WN7 4SB

Salary: £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Start: January 2026

UK applicants only. This role does not offer visa sponsorship.

At The Holden School, food is about more than just eating—it’s about care, routine, wellbeing, and connection. We’re looking for a friendly, reliable, and enthusiastic Catering Assistant to join our kitchen team and help deliver nutritious, freshly prepared meals that support our pupils’ health, happiness, and learning.

If you take pride in good food, teamwork, and making a positive difference every day, this could be the perfect role for you.

About the Role

As a Catering Assistant, you’ll play a key role in creating a warm, safe, and enjoyable lunchtime experience for our pupils. You’ll support the preparation, cooking, and serving of healthy meals, ensuring dietary needs are met and that every child feels comfortable and supported during mealtimes.

Working as part of a friendly and supportive kitchen team, you’ll help keep everything running smoothly—maintaining excellent hygiene standards, following food safety regulations, and contributing to a calm, welcoming dining environment.

You’ll also interact with pupils daily, offering encouragement and gentle guidance while helping uphold the school’s expectations around behaviour, wellbeing, and respect.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the preparation, cooking, and serving of meals, including special dietary requirements
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness across the kitchen, equipment, and dining areas
• Assist with clearing, washing up, and cleaning after meal service
• Provide cover during staff absences to ensure continuity of service
• Monitor food supplies, report shortages, and record changes to meal numbers
• Follow all health, safety, and food hygiene regulations at all times
• Support lunchtime supervision to ensure pupils are safe, calm, and supported
• Share relevant behaviour observations with teaching staff to promote a positive school environment

What We’re Looking For

• A team player with a positive, can-do attitude
• Someone who takes pride in cleanliness, organisation, and high standards
• Confidence communicating in English with pupils, staff, and visitors
• A commitment to safeguarding, equality, and the values of the school
• Willingness to attend training and team meetings as required

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks
• Market‑leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit