Catering Assistant

Outcomes First Group; Robertsbridge; On-site; GBP 11,000 - 14,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Vista Benefits Platform

Job summary

Mountfield Heath School, part of Outcomes First Group, is seeking a dedicated Catering Assistant to support a Cook/Supervisor in safe meal prep, service and delivery for pupils aged 5-11 with autistic needs. You’ll contribute to health, wellbeing and overall experience within a trauma-informed, neuro-affirming environment.

The role includes assisting with meal prep, ensuring hygiene standards, and supervising lunchtime activities, in a site with strong safeguarding commitments and opportunities

Qualifications

• Food hygiene and food safety preferred.
• Positive, can-do attitude and genuine interest in supporting young people.
• Team player who takes pride in high standards.
• Enjoys a fast-paced, practical role.
• Reliability and commitment to safe working practices.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation, cooking and serving of meals, including accommodating special dietary requirements.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene across the kitchen, equipment and dining areas in line with health and safety regulations.
• Support food preparation and service both on site and, where required, for other schools.
• Monitor food supplies, report issues, and keep accurate records of meals, cancellations and changes.
• Assist with clearing, washing up and general kitchen duties to ensure efficient service.
• Support lunchtime supervision of pupils, ensuring meals are served and completed safely and hygienically, and report any behavioural observations to teaching staff.

Skills

Food hygiene

Team player

Positive attitude

Reliability

Interest in supporting young people

Job description

Full Job Description

Job Title: Catering Assistant

Location: Mountfield Heath School, Robertsbridge, TN32 5FA

Hours: 21 per week, Monday to Friday

Salary: £12,500.00 per annum (not pro rata)

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Start: June 2026

UK applicants only - no sponsorship available

About the Role

As a Catering Assistant, you will support the Cook/Supervisor in the safe preparation, serving, and delivery of nutritious school meals. This role is vital to the smooth running of the school day and contributes directly to pupils’ health, wellbeing, and overall experience. You will work in line with food safety legislation while embracing the school’s relational, trauma-informed and neuro-affirming approach, supporting an integrated model of education and care.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation, cooking and serving of meals, including accommodating special dietary requirements
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene across the kitchen, equipment and dining areas in line with health and safety regulations
• Support food preparation and service both on site and, where required, for other schools
• Monitor food supplies, report issues, and keep accurate records of meals, cancellations and changes
• Assist with clearing, washing up and general kitchen duties to ensure efficient service
• Support lunchtime supervision of pupils, ensuring meals are served and completed safely and hygienically, and report any behavioural observations to teaching staff

What we're looking for

• Food hygiene and food safety are preferrable
• A positive, can-do attitude and a genuine interest in supporting young people
• A team player who takes pride in maintaining high standards
• Someone who enjoys a fast-paced, practical role
• Reliability, enthusiasm, and a commitment to safe working practices

About Us

At Mountfield Heath School, every day brings new challenges, opportunities, and rewards. Every member of our team plays a crucial role in shaping brighter futures for our pupils. We support autistic boys and girls aged 5-11, many of whom have additional needs. Our independent special educational needs provision currently educates 45 pupils, across a spacious site with large classrooms and dedicated outdoor learning areas. Our mission is simple: to equip every child with the skills, confidence, and knowledge they need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. We aim to prepare pupils not only for school but for life beyond, encouraging them to achieve high standards in all areas of development. Located in Robertsbridge, East Sussex, the school is easily accessible from Hastings, Royal Tunbridge Wells, and surrounding areas, making this an exciting opportunity to join a supportive and forward-thinking school community. For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care. We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a Great Place to Work for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• Your Wellbeing Matters - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.