Catering Assistant

River Academy; Reading; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

River Academy is seeking a Catering Assistant to join our catering team. Working under the Trust Catering Manager and the School Chef, you will support the preparation, cooking and service of food, and help maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen and dining areas.

This role supports delivering a high-quality catering service for students and staff in a safe, welcoming, well-organised environment as part of our busy school community.

Job description

River Academy, is looking to appoint a Catering Assistant to join our catering team at River Academy. Working under the direction of the Trust Catering Manager and the School Chef, the postholder will support the preparation, cooking and service of food, alongside maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene within the kitchen and dining areas. This role plays an important part in ensuring students and staff receive a high-quality catering service in a safe, welcoming and well‑organised environment. River Academy opened in September 2024 with 180 students and seven students in its resource base. From September 2026, student numbers will increase again as the school welcomes its next cohort of Year 7 students. The school is currently oversubscribed, with waiting lists in all year groups, and expects continued high demand for September 2026. You will join a strong and committed school team, contributing to the delivery of clear routines and the setting of expectations in line with the River Way. River Academy has a strong focus on calm, purposeful learning environments. Classrooms are quiet, corridors are calm, and systems are designed to reduce workload so teachers can focus on their teaching craft. Tutor time is carefully structured and includes reading, assemblies and settling activities to support learning throughout the day. Students are expected to demonstrate good manners, strong oracy skills, and high standards of personal and academic presentation. Reflecting this focus on consistency and high expectations, River Academy is ranked in the highest decile across all DfE attendance measures, and Sparx homework completion rates consistently exceed 98%.,