Kitchen Assistant

Outcomes First Group; Linstead Parva; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

"Your Wellbeing Matters" mental health

Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista)

Health and wellbeing discounts

Job summary

Bramfield School is seeking an experienced Kitchen Assistant to join our catering team on a maternity cover contract until 30 June 2027. The role offers 15 hours across three days per week during term time, in a supportive school environment.

You will assist the School Cook with preparing nutritious, home‑cooked meals, uphold high hygiene standards and contribute to a positive dining experience for students, staff and visitors.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering or commercial kitchen environments.
• Good knowledge of food hygiene, COSHH and safe working practices.
• Willingness to obtain Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate if not held.

Responsibilities

• Assist the School Cook with preparing and serving meals.
• Meet dietary, allergy and cultural requirements in meal prep.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene, cleanliness and portion control.
• Support during busy service periods and manage stock checks.
• Follow HACCP, COSHH and health and safety procedures.
• Assist with meal prep for school events and visitors.

Skills

Catering experience

Food hygiene

COSHH

Time management

Teamwork

Flexible working

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Love Working with Food? Enjoy a Three-Day Week and Make a Difference in a School Kitchen. At Bramfield School, we're looking for an experienced, reliable and enthusiastic Kitchen Assistant to join our catering team on a maternity cover contract until 30 June 2027. Working 15 hours across three days per week during term time, this is a great opportunity for someone with catering or commercial kitchen experience who wants to continue doing what they enjoy while benefiting from regular, part-time hours. Working closely with our School Cook, you'll help prepare and serve nutritious, home-cooked meals, maintain excellent standards of food hygiene and cleanliness, and contribute to a positive dining experience for our students, staff and visitors. You'll be joining a school that supports students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, where your contribution to the daily running of the kitchen will help create a welcoming, safe and supportive environment.

• Assist the School Cook with preparing and serving fresh, nutritious and balanced meals, including vegetables, salads, sandwiches and desserts
• Support the preparation of meals that meet individual dietary, allergy, medical and cultural requirements
• Maintain high standards of food presentation, portion control and safe food handling
• Help keep the kitchen running efficiently during busy service periods, including checking deliveries, storing food correctly and monitoring stock levels
• Carry out daily kitchen cleaning duties, including washing equipment, crockery and utensils, cleaning preparation areas and completing cleaning schedules
• Follow food hygiene, HACCP, COSHH and health and safety procedures, including temperature checks and accurate record keeping
• Assist with food preparation for school events, meetings and visitors, contributing ideas for menu improvements where appropriate
• Work collaboratively with the School Cook and wider team to maintain a clean, organised and welcoming catering environment
  We're looking for someone who takes pride in preparing good food, maintaining high standards and being part of a dependable team.
• Experience working within a catering or commercial kitchen environment
• Experience preparing fresh, home-cooked food
• Experience maintaining excellent standards of kitchen cleanliness, hygiene and safe food handling
• Good knowledge of food hygiene, COSHH and safe working practices
• A Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate or willingness to obtain one
• Strong organisation and time management skills, with the ability to work efficiently in a busy kitchen
• Good attention to detail and the ability to remain calm under pressure
• A flexible, reliable and professional approach, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Good communication skills and a commitment to safeguarding and promoting student wellbeing
• Willingness to complete mandatory training and work additional hours where reasonably required
• Experience within a school or educational setting, a relevant catering qualification, First Aid qualification or driving licence would be an advantage.
  Bramfield House School is an independent special educational needs school for boys aged 7 - 16 years who have social, emotional, mental health, communication difficulties and associated challenging behaviours, located in rural Suffolk. The School has a committed and innovative multidisciplinary team, extensive site and excellent facilities to support both learning and extra-curricular activities; we are in a great position to provide our students with the best education possible. This opportunity is in Halesworth which is within commutable distance of Lowestoft, Diss and surrounding areas. At Outcomes First Schools, we provide specialist education for learners who need a deeper level of understanding, expertise and support than mainstream education can typically offer. We support students with a wide range of complex, co-occurring and neurodivergent needs, including autism, ADHD, SEMH, speech and communication needs, dyslexia and experiences of trauma or adversity. We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.
  We place students 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 students 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