Kitchen Assistant

Coast and Vale Learning Trust; Enfield; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Heron Hall Academy is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to support the daily operation of the school kitchen, ensuring high standards of safety, hygiene and service for pupils and staff.

You will work as part of a catering team, following menus and procedures, managing allergies and dietary needs, and contributing to a positive, efficient service during busy meal periods. Safeguarding and inclusive practice are essential in this school environment.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4 (C) or above or equivalent.
• Level 2 Food Safety in Catering desirable, or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Support the daily running of the academy kitchen as part of the catering team.
• Help prepare and serve food while maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness.
• Ensure allergen awareness and safe handling for pupils and staff with dietary requirements.

Skills

Food hygiene

Allergen awareness

Teamwork

Time management

Communication

Punctuality

Flexibility

Safeguarding awareness

Following procedures

Education

GCSE English and Maths (Grade 4/C)

Level 2 Food Safety in Catering (desirable)

Job description

Why join us?

Heron Hall Academy is an ambitious, eight-form entry mixed secondary school and a proud part of North Star Community Trust , a family of schools built on the belief that we are Stronger Together. The Trust plays a vital role in the communities it serves, creating real, lasting change through education, opportunity and support.

At Heron Hall, we share the Trust’s vision -to help every child succeed at school and in life. We live by the values of Education, Community, Opportunity , ensuring every pupil receives an excellent education, feels part of a strong and caring community, and has the chance to grow into a confident, well-rounded individual. As soon as you enter Heron Hall, you feel the pride, purpose and unity that define us. Our high standards and inclusive culture ensure that every pupil is supported, challenged and inspired to reach their full potential. We believe in every child and together, with North Star Community Trust, we help them believe in themselves.

About the role

As a Kitchen Assistant at Heron Hall Academy, you will play an important role in supporting the daily running of our academy kitchen. Working as part of the catering team, you will help prepare and serve food while maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness.

You will also help ensure the needs of pupils and staff with allergies, intolerances and other dietary requirements are safely met, contributing to a positive and professional kitchen environment.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a reliable, hardworking and enthusiastic Kitchen Assistant who takes pride in providing a high-quality catering service for our pupils and staff. You will be someone who can work well as part of a team, follow instructions and maintain high standards in a busy kitchen environment.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working in a busy kitchen, catering or food preparation environment.
• Has a good understanding of food hygiene, food safety and safe working practices.
• Can follow menus, recipes, portion requirements and established catering procedures accurately.
• Understands the importance of allergen awareness and taking appropriate care when preparing and serving food for those with dietary requirements.
• Can use basic kitchen and catering equipment safely and responsibly.
• Takes pride in maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene across the kitchen, dining and food service areas.
• Is able to work efficiently and remain calm and organised during busy meal service periods.
• Communicates professionally and respectfully with pupils, staff and colleagues.
• Works collaboratively as part of a team and is willing to support colleagues when required.
• Is reliable, punctual and able to manage their time effectively.
• Has a positive and flexible approach and can respond to changing demands within the kitchen.
• Understands the importance of safeguarding, health and safety, equality and inclusion within a school environment.
• Is committed to supporting a safe, welcoming and positive environment for all pupils and staff.
• Holds GCSEs in English and Mathematics at Grade 4 (C) or above, or equivalent.
• A Level 2 Food Safety in Catering qualification would be desirable, or you should be willing to obtain this.

What we offer

We are committed to being a supportive, caring and rewarding place to work and learn, and to being an employer of choice. A full overview of our offer, including staff benefits, our People Plan and what our staff say about working with us, can be found in the supporting documents attached.

Safeguarding statement

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. As part of our recruitment process, the successful candidate will be required to undergo safer recruitment checks, including enhanced clearance through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and any other pre-employment checks relevant to their role.

Equal opportunities

We are committed to fostering a positive and inclusive working culture that reflects our Trust's ethos of being ‘Stronger Together.’ The Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all. It aims to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.

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