Catering Assistant (Maternity Cover 12 Months)

Outcomes First Group; Stockport; On-site; GBP 14,000; Part time

Job summary

An independent specialist education provider in Stockport is seeking a Catering Assistant for a maternity cover position. You will prepare and cook meals for students while supporting the Catering Manager. Ideal candidates will have food hygiene knowledge and experience in a school kitchen. This part-time role offers a salary of £13,937.50 annually and operates during term time only.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Access to mental health support services

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a school kitchen is desirable.
• Strong understanding of food hygiene, Health & Safety, and catering standards.
• Passionate about providing nutritious meals in a safe environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook meals for students and staff.
• Support day-to-day management of the catering department.
• Maintain hygiene standards in line with legislation.
• Assist with stock control and food procurement.

Skills

Food hygiene knowledge

Teamwork

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Job description

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!

Role: Catering Assistant (Maternity Cover 12 Months)

Location: Reddish Hall School, Stockport SK5 6UY

Salary: £13,937.50 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 25 hours per week, Monday to Friday 9.00am – 2.00pm

Contract: Fixed Term Contract, Term time Only

Start Date: December 2025

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

About the Role

We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Catering Assistant / Cook. This is a hands-on role where you will be preparing and cooking meals for our students and staff, while supporting the Catering Manager with the day-to-day running of our catering services.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook meals for students and staff to a high standard.
• Support the Catering Manager in the day-to-day management of the catering department.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene and food safety in line with current legislation (HACCP, COSHH, etc.).
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils and young people at all times.
• Work within school policies, professional practice standards, and legal requirements.
• Assist with stock control, food procurement, supplier relationships, and cost monitoring to ensure budget requirements are met.
• Ensure competitive rates and value for money through regular benchmarking.
• Undertake risk assessments and ensure compliance with Health & Safety requirements.
• Contribute to maintaining a high quality of catering services that enhance the care and wellbeing of students.

Who We're Looking For

• Previous experience working in a school kitchen is desirable.
• Strong understanding of food hygiene, Health & Safety, and catering standards.
• Ability to work flexibly, resourcefully, and as part of a team.
• Good organisational and communication skills.
• Passionate about providing nutritious meals in a safe, caring environment.

About Us

Reddish Hall School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 5 to 18, catering for pupils with social emotional and mental health difficulties, with a high proportion of pupils who have a diagnosis of ASC. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life.

We pride ourselves in steering pupils in the right direction, nurturing aspiration to progress them both academically and socially to encourage them to take pride in their achievements. Socially, we build confidence in our students, so they are able to have a greater understanding of the wider community in which they live.

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to 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.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with 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.