Catering Assistant

Ark; St Leonards; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Friendly working environment

Training & network-wide events

Local Government Pension Scheme

Growth and development opportunities

Ark Rewards access

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Ark Alexandra Academy in Hastings is seeking a catering assistant to join our busy catering team. The role is term-time with 39 weeks of work plus an additional week in school holidays as directed by the manager, with pay spread evenly across the year.

You will work under a Catering Supervisor at one of our campuses, supporting daily meal preparation, service, and equipment operation while prioritising safety and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy kitchen is essential.
• Must be available 9:30am–2:30pm, Monday to Friday.
• Term-time role: 39 weeks plus one extra week in holidays as directed.
• Willingness to train towards health and safety/food hygiene qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Assist in daily catering tasks and food preparation.
• Operate cashless tills and use catering equipment as trained.
• Maintain cleanliness and adhere to food safety standards.
• Collaborate with staff and students to deliver high-quality meals.

Skills

Busy kitchen experience

Team player

Willing to train towards hygiene/safe

Education

Food hygiene qualification

Job description

About The Role

This is a rare opportunity to join our hard-working, dedicated catering team in our growing academy. As a catering assistant you will be based at one of our two campuses under the direction of a Catering Supervisor. This is a term time only position, which means you will only work 39 weeks of the year, plus one extra week in the school holidays as directed by your manager. Pay is spread evenly over the year so you would never have a month without money.

Our standards are high and meals are prepared daily from fresh ingredients. We need someone who can work quickly and safely, be part of a team and has the confidence to interact with staff and students. We will show the successful applicant how to operate our cashless tills and any other items of catering equipment.

For more information please read the job description and person specification available for download.

As the ideal candidate you will:

• Have experience of working in a busy kitchen
• Be available to work the hours of 9.30am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday
• Have a resilient character and a strong personal drive
• Be able to take ownership of tasks and complete to a high standard
• Have a health & safety and/or food hygiene qualification or be willing to train towards
• Be a team player that can work collaboratively as well as using your own initiative
• Be flexible in covering other team members when required, even if it’s on the other campus
• Be committed to Ark's ethos of high expectations and no excuses

Our school:

We are aiming to create one of the top performing schools in the UK right here in Hastings.

Ark Alexandra Academy is a popular secondary school in Hastings. We operate a 'One School, Two Campus' model, which brings with it unique opportunities for career growth and development. The school is on an exciting and rapid journey of improvement which is underpinned by research and best practice. We place primacy on traditional values: discipline, courtesy and respect. Our students are smart and ready to learn and thrive. We are a strict no mobile phone school.

As part of the Ark network, Ark Alexandra Academy has access to the dedicated support of a highly successful MAT with a well-regarded CPD offer for leaders and teachers at all levels. In addition, the school is part of the Hastings DfE Education Investment Area giving an increased focus on the region, potential funding, and genuine opportunities for collaboration between schools.

Benefits

What we offer:

• A friendly but professional working environment
• Twice as many training days as standard and network-wide events with Ark colleagues
• Opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the network
• Local Government Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution
• Unique opportunities for growth and development
• Access to Ark Rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme - providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support

About Us

Our school:

We are aiming to create one of the top performing schools in the UK right here in Hastings.

Ark Alexandra Academy is a popular secondary school in Hastings. We operate a 'One School, Two Campus' model, which brings with it unique opportunities for career growth and development. The school is on an exciting and rapid journey of improvement which is underpinned by research and best practice. We place primacy on traditional values: discipline, courtesy and respect. Our students are smart and ready to learn and thrive. We are a strict no mobile phone school.

As part of the Ark network, Ark Alexandra Academy has access to the dedicated support of a highly successful MAT with a well-regarded CPD offer for leaders and teachers at all levels. In addition, the school is part of the Hastings DfE Education Investment Area giving an increased focus on the region, potential funding, and genuine opportunities for collaboration between schools.

Visit arkalexandra.org/jobs to learn more about us and see our current vacancies.

Diversity and inclusion:

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone - staff and students - can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark's diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link.

Safeguarding statement:

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend on the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark's safer recruitment process, please click this link.