Catering Assistant

Parrs Wood High School; Manchester; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A secondary school in Manchester is seeking a team member for its catering department. The position involves preparing and serving food to students and staff while ensuring hygiene compliance. We're looking for a friendly and reliable person who can work both independently and in collaboration with colleagues. This role is essential for maintaining a positive dining experience and requires good communication skills and adherence to health standards. Flexible working hours are offered in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Warm and inclusive school culture

Focus on wellbeing and professional development

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience in providing friendly service to customers or the public.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Capability to work independently and complete tasks.
• Understanding of hygiene and health and safety rules in a kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve food to students and staff.
• Support cashier duties as required.
• Maintain clean and safe kitchen and dining areas.
• Collaborate with colleagues for smooth service.

Skills

Friendly customer service

Teamwork

Communication skills

Health and safety knowledge

Job description

Overview

As a valued member of our catering team, you will help deliver an efficient, welcoming and high-quality service to students and staff. Your role will include preparing and serving food, supporting with cashier duties, and ensuring all kitchen and dining areas are kept clean, safe and compliant with food hygiene regulations. Working closely with the Catering Manager and colleagues, you'll contribute to the smooth running of the service and play an important part in creating a positive dining experience within the school. Working hours will be between 10.30am - 3.10pm on rota basis.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve food to students and staff.
• Support cashier duties as required.
• Keep kitchen and dining areas clean, safe and compliant with food hygiene regulations.
• Work closely with the Catering Manager and colleagues to ensure the smooth running of the service and a positive dining experience.

Parrs Wood High School would like all candidates to answer specific questions for the personal statement section. For reference, here is a preview of the questions/headings.

Personal Statement Questions

1. Describe your experience providing friendly and helpful service to customers or members of the public.
2. Detail your experience of working effectively as part of a team.
3. What experience do you have of working independently or completing tasks on your own?
4. What experience or understanding do you have of basic hygiene or health and safety rules in a kitchen or similar environment?
5. Please add any additional information in support of your application (optional)

Candidate Profile

We're looking for someone who is friendly, reliable and committed to providing excellent customer service. You should be able to work both independently and as part of a team, demonstrate good communication skills, and follow health and safety and food hygiene requirements. Flexibility, a willingness to support colleagues, and a positive approach to learning and development are essential. You will also uphold the Trust's safeguarding, equality and professional standards, including being willing to undertake training such as first aid and DBS checks.

About Parrs Wood High School and Sixth Form

Parrs Wood High School and Sixth Form is a thriving and popular secondary school located in East Didsbury, Manchester. We serve a diverse student body and offer a truly comprehensive learning environment for students aged 11 to 18. Our ethos is built on the core values of Community, Creativity, and Achievement, which shape every aspect of school life, from our curriculum and pastoral care to our relationships with families and the wider community. We are a part of the Greater Manchester Education Trust. Together, we create lives of opportunity. We are committed to delivering an inspiring education that enables every student to thrive academically and personally. Our students consistently achieve excellent outcomes and go on to lead successful lives in a wide range of careers. With dedicated staff, fantastic facilities, and a strong emphasis on creativity, leadership, and extracurricular enrichment, Parrs Wood is a place where every child is valued, challenged, and supported to reach their full potential.

We understand that it takes a full community to educate a child. At Parrs Wood, we hold high expectations and ambitions for every member of our school community. Each staff member plays a vital role in shaping the future. Whether you're a teacher, support staff, or school leader, you'll find a supportive and inclusive environment where your contribution is valued. Your passion and expertise help create the conditions for students to thrive, academically, socially, and personally.

A Trust for Every Child and Every Colleague We believe that great futures are built by great people. Colleagues who work in our schools will experience the same focus on care and guidance, opportunity and challenge, so that they can deliver an exceptional education to our young people. They will become the very best practitioners through bespoke support and opportunities to learn professionally, to collaborate, to lead innovation and to advance their career with us. We strive for excellence in everything we do. At GMET, every role, from teaching to support, is valued. You'll be supported and empowered to grow within a trust where our core values guide our work with learners, colleagues, families, and the wider community. We invest in our people. As part of GMET, you'll benefit from a wide range of employee benefits designed to support your health and wellbeing, help you save money, and make your salary go further including:

Benefits

• A warm, inclusive, and supportive school culture
• High expectations for all learners and staff
• A strong focus on wellbeing and professional development
• Opportunities to innovate and collaborate across the trust
• A commitment to equity, diversity, and accessibility
• Tailored CPD and coaching
• Trust-wide networks and learning communities
• Leadership development pathways
• Access to wellbeing resources and flexible working options