Kitchen Assistant

Woodpecker Hall Primary Academy; Greater London; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Woodpecker Hall Primary Academy is seeking a reliable Kitchen Assistant to provide a high-quality catering service for pupils and staff. You will follow menus, maintain hygiene, and work as part of a team in a busy kitchen environment.

You will need experience in a kitchen, good food-safety knowledge, and a calm, professional manner during peak service times. Safeguarding and inclusion are core priorities for our school community.

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy kitchen, catering or food preparation.
• Knowledge of food hygiene, safety and safe working practices.
• Ability to follow menus, recipes and portion controls.
• Awareness of allergens and safe handling for dietary needs.
• Safe use of basic kitchen equipment.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness in all areas.
• Work calmly and efficiently during busy service.
• Professional, respectful communication with pupils and staff.
• Collaborative team player, reliable and punctual.
• Commitment to safeguarding and health and safety.
• GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above, or equivalent.
• Desirable: Level 2 Food Safety in Catering.

Responsibilities

• Provide a high-quality catering service for pupils and staff.
• Follow menus, portioning and catering procedures.
• Maintain food hygiene and safe handling practices.
• Support colleagues and work as part of a team.
• Keep kitchen, dining and service areas clean and safe.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Food safety

Allergen awareness

Menus & recipes

Equipment handling

Cleanliness

Time management

Professional communication

Team player

Punctuality

Safeguarding awareness

GCSE English/Maths

Food safety qualification desirable

Education

GCSEs English & Maths

Level 2 Food Safety in Catering

Job description

Why join us?

Woodpecker Hall Academy is a wonderful primary school and nursery, and a proud member of North Star Community Trust, a family of schools united by 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 Woodpecker Hall the children are at the heart of everything we do. We believe every child deserves an excellent education in a safe, nurturing environment with staff who care deeply and go above and beyond. Our children consistently achieve some of the best results in the borough, with progress and attainment well above national averages. We are proud to be ranked in the top 5% of schools nationally and to have received a national Silver Award for Primary School of the Year.

About the role

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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