Catering Assistant

Birch Hill Primary School and Nursery; Leppington; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Scheme

Annual Leave

Hybrid Working

Perkbox

Wellbeing and Health

Job summary

Birch Hill Primary School and Nursery is seeking a reliable Catering Assistant to join the catering team in a busy school environment. You will help prepare and serve meals, maintain a clean kitchen, and provide a positive lunchtime experience for pupils and staff.

We value flexibility, teamwork, and strong communication, with a commitment to hygiene and safeguarding. Training will be provided for the right candidate in a supportive school community.

Qualifications

• Must be reliable, with a positive and flexible approach.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well in a team and in a busy kitchen.
• Understand hygiene, food safety and health and safety requirements.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare of children.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation and serving of food and drinks.
• Set up and clear away dining areas.
• Operate kitchen equipment safely and appropriately.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in kitchen and dining areas.
• Wash utensils, crockery and kitchen equipment.
• Support stock rotation and storage procedures.
• Follow food hygiene, allergen and health and safety procedures at all times.
• Provide a friendly and welcoming service to pupils, colleagues and visitors.

Skills

Reliable

Flexible

Team player

Communication skills

Fast-paced

Hygiene & safety

Safeguarding

Job description

Birch Hill Primary School is seeking to appoint a reliable, enthusiastic and hardworking Catering Assistant to join our catering team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a busy school environment and is committed to providing a high-quality catering service for our pupils and colleagues.

The successful candidate will support the preparation and serving of meals, help maintain a clean and safe kitchen environment and contribute to a positive lunchtime experience for all pupils.

We are looking for someone who

• Has a positive and flexible approach to work
• Works well as part of a team
• Has good communication and interpersonal skills
• Can work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Understands the importance of hygiene, food safety and health and safety requirements
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation and serving of food and drinks
• Set up and clear away dining areas
• Operate kitchen equipment safely and appropriately
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene within the kitchen and dining areas
• Wash utensils, crockery and kitchen equipment
• Support stock rotation and storage procedures
• Follow food hygiene, allergen and health and safety procedures at all times
• Provide a friendly and welcoming service to pupils, colleagues and visitors

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be dependable, organised and able to work effectively within a team. Previous catering or kitchen experience would be beneficial, although training will be provided for the right candidate. A commitment to delivering a high-quality service and supporting the wider school community is essential.

Birch Hill Primary School (BHP)

Birch Hill Primary School is a two-form entry community school serving the Birch Hill and Hanworth areas of Bracknell Forest. In addition to the main school, we offer a nursery and a Specialist Resource Provision for children with ASD and MLD.

Our motto, Learn, Believe, Achieve Together, underpins our commitment to high standards, strong partnerships with parents and a curriculum that builds confidence and aspiration.

The school offers a calm, purposeful working environment set within spacious grounds, supported by a dedicated and inclusive staff team.

About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5,000 students across eleven schools, including primary, secondary, special and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We Aim High, Be Inclusive and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all through collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities and our annual MET Staff Conference, a day that brings colleagues together to share best practice and learn from one another.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise, playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

Further information about working with us, and insight from colleagues across the Trust, can be found here on our website.

Benefits of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust

Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including:

• Pension Scheme - Generous employer contributions through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
• Annual Leave - Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service
• ME Day - One additional day’s leave each year for a significant personal event
• Professional Development - Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities
• Hybrid Working - Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles
• Perkbox - Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points
• Wellbeing and Health - Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)
• Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 support and discount schemes
• Mental Health First Aid Support
• Recognition and Community - Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET
• Employee Referral Scheme

Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer

and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.