Catering Assistant

Matthew Arnold School; Packmoor; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 16,000; Part time

Job summary

Matthew Arnold School is seeking a friendly and reliable Catering Assistant to join the school catering team. You will support preparation, cooking and serving of food, while maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety in a busy kitchen and dining environment.

The role offers 25 hours per week across 39 weeks per year plus INSET days, with DBS checks and references part of the safeguarding process. Training is provided where needed to ensure quality service for students, staff and visitors.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering or food preparation is desirable, but training will be provided.
• Good communication and customer service skills are essential.
• Reliable, punctual and well organised, able to work as part of a team.
• Understanding of food hygiene, safety and cleanliness is important.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation, cooking and presentation of food.
• Serve meals and beverages to students and staff.
• Operate tills and process cashless transactions where required.
• Replenish food counters and serving areas as needed.
• Assist with cleaning of kitchen equipment and catering areas.

Skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Food hygiene

Communication

Tools

Tills / cash handling

Job description

Job Title: Catering Assistant
Reports To: Catering Manager
Salary: £14,857 (FTE: 25,614)
Grade: Grade 3
Hours: 25 hours per week, 39 weeks per year plus INSET days

Join Our Catering Team

Are you enthusiastic, reliable and passionate about providing a great catering service?

Matthew Arnold School is looking to appoint a friendly, hardworking and enthusiastic Catering Assistant to join our school catering team.

Our Catering Assistant will play an important role in providing a welcoming, efficient and high-quality catering service to our students, staff and visitors.

Working as part of a team, you will support the preparation, cooking and serving of food, help maintain a clean, safe and organised kitchen and dining environment, and ensure that all food is prepared and served in accordance with food hygiene, health and safety and allergen requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation, cooking and presentation of food.
• Serve meals, snacks and refreshments to students and staff.
• Operate tills and handle cashless catering transactions where required.
• Replenish food counters, displays and serving areas.
• Assist with the cleaning of kitchen equipment, utensils and catering areas.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and personal hygiene.
• Follow food safety procedures, including temperature monitoring and allergen controls.
• Support stock rotation, deliveries and storage of food supplies.
• Work effectively as part of the catering team to ensure an efficient service.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who:

• Is friendly, approachable and enjoys working with young people.
• Has a positive attitude and a flexible approach to work.
• Can work effectively as part of a team but also use their own initiative.
• Has good communication and customer service skills.
• Understands the importance of food hygiene, safety and cleanliness.
• Can work in a busy environment and remain calm during service.
• Is reliable, punctual and well organised.
• Previous catering or food preparation experience would be desirable but is not essential, as training will be provided.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work as part of a supportive catering team.
• Training and development opportunities.
• A rewarding role within a busy secondary school environment.
• The opportunity to make a positive contribution to the daily experience of our students.

Safeguarding

Matthew Arnold School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check where applicable, and satisfactory references

Matthew Arnold School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS certificate will be required.