Catering Assistant

Hollingworth Academy; Milnrow; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 15,000; Part time

Job summary

Hollingworth Academy is seeking a proactive Catering Assistant to join our school dining team. The role covers preparation, cooking, presentation and service of meals for pupils and staff, plus operating tills, washing up and maintaining high hygiene standards.

Working 24 hours per week during term time, you will support the Catering Manager and Second Chef, contribute to a calm, friendly dining experience, and demonstrate our values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in catering, preferably in school settings.
• Understand food hygiene and safety standards.
• Able to work as part of a team and independently when required.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, present and serve high-quality meals for pupils and staff.
• Operate tills and handle cash transactions.
• Wash up and clean kitchen equipment and work areas.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene and safety.

Skills

Food hygiene

Cash handling

Food preparation

Teamwork

Communication

Tools

Cash tills

Job description

Catering Assistant Permanent Term Time Only 24 Hours per week

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dependable Catering Assistant to join our friendly catering team at Hollingworth Academy. Working under the direction of the Catering Manager and Second Chef, you will help prepare, cook, present and serve high-quality food for pupils, staff, meetings and events, while delivering a fast, courteous service. The role also includes operating tills, washing up, cleaning kitchen equipment and work areas, and maintaining excellent standards of food hygiene and safety. You will be a flexible team player who can work independently when required, communicate effectively and demonstrate our core values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience

About Hollingworth Academy

Hollingworth Academy is part of the Hollingworth Learning Trust. The Trust’s core purpose is to make a positive difference to the lives of its children. Its role, as a sponsor of the academy, is to provide the support, challenge, expertise, and resources necessary to significantly improve the provision for education.

In 2023, Hollingworth Academy was awarded the World Class Schools Quality Mark; the only school in Greater Manchester and Lancashire out of 463 to achieve this world class status.

Here at Hollingworth Academy, we believe that everyone excels every day. This ethos is built on our core values of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY and RESILIENCE and these values are at the heart of everything we do. We want considerate and confident young adults who are respected within their community, capable of successfully entering further education, employment, and training. We will always have the highest expectations for all of our pupils, as their success is our success. We are extremely proud of our pupil and their achievements. Indeed, visitors frequently comment that they are confident, respectful, thoughtful, and articulate young people.

We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit us during the school day to experience our ‘high expectations’ first-hand. To arrange a visit please contact us at [e-mail]

Why Choose Hollingworth Academy?

• Voted ‘Most Inspirational School in Rochdale’ in 2024, and the only school in Greater Manchester and Lancashire with ‘World Class Schools’ status.


• Conveniently located just off the M62, we offer an easy commute from Stockport, Central Manchester, Leeds, Blackburn, Warrington, and Burnley all within 40 minutes or less.


• We value our staff and provide time off for important family events, such as school nativity plays and first days at school etc.


• Our department prides itself on its staff retention and staff development. External positions in this department are rare this is your chance to join a truly outstanding team.


• Free access to our onsite gym.


• Free Simply Health membership that includes money off prescriptions, dental check-ups, physiotherapy, opticians, and GP appointments.


• 20 additional PPA hours per year beyond government guidelines.


• Opportunity for free lunches available.


• Work in an environment where Ofsted say that our pupils are ‘proud to attend this school’ and ‘can learn in lessons without disruption’. With a ‘behaviour system which allows [leaders] to respond to any uncommon instances of pupils’ poor behaviour rapidly’.

The Role

Contract Information:

Part time, 24 hours per week, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10am - 2.30pm and Tuesday 10.20am to 2.50pm, Term Time Only

Start date: As soon as possible

Salary: NJC Scale Points 3 - FTE £25,614 actual salary £14,083

Other Benefits: Various health & wellbeing benefits including; discounted gym membership; health care cash plan; confidential staff counselling; discretionary leave and family friendly working practices and more!

The Pension provider is the Local Government Pension Scheme, GMPF. The employer contributions are generous and help to provide for you and your family with security for your future.

Closing Date: 9.00am on Friday 9th October 2026.

Interview Date: Friday 16th October 2026

Hollingworth Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful candidate will have to meet the person specification and will be required to apply for an enhanced DBS disclosure and all other pre-employment checks outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education. All appointments are subject to Safer Recruitment practices.

Hollingworth Academy operates a Smoke Free Policy for all its employees and applies to any building and associated grounds within the immediate vicinity of the building which is wholly owned, leased, or operated and occupied by the academy.

We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups including those based on ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

Applicants are informed that if appointed to this post their contract of employment will be with the Trust / Academy who is the employer, and not Rochdale Council.

Supporting Documents

Job Description
Person Specification
Application Form
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