Kitchen Assistant

Durham Johnston; North East; Hybrid; GBP 12,000 - 15,000; Part time

Job summary

Durham Johnston Comprehensive School is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to join a strong, supportive team on a term-time basis. The role involves food preparation, washing up, kitchen cleaning, and assisting during service to ensure balanced meals and portion control according to standards.

The post requires punctuality, reliability, and the ability to work both independently and within a team, with an emphasis on safeguarding and health and safety compliance. Closing date is 2 November 2026.

Qualifications

• Ability to manage time effectively in a kitchen setting.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Awareness of health and safety procedures and food hygiene.

Responsibilities

• Food preparation tasks as part of daily kitchen duties.
• Washing up and general kitchen cleaning tasks.
• Kitchen cleaning to established routines and standards.
• Serving meals and ensuring balanced portions per standards.
• Supporting the catering team during service periods.
• Maintaining clean kitchen surroundings and equipment.
• Adhering to health and safety laws and food hygiene guidelines.
• Taking rubbish to the bins and promoting healthy school initiatives.
• Undertaking training to support the role.

Skills

Time management

Teamwork

Health & safety

High standards

Team player

Communication

Job description

Term Time Only - Fixed Term to July 2027

27.5 hours per week September until May / 20 hours per week from June until July

Durham Johnston Comprehensive School are seeking to appoint a highly motivated and enthusiastic Kitchen Assistant to join our strong and very supportive team. We are looking for someone who:

• Is able to manage time effectively
• Is able to work both alone and in a team
• Has an awareness of health and safety procedures
• Has high expectations of themselves
• Is an excellent team player
• Is able to communicate effectively in a wide range of situations

Punctual, reliable and trustworthy.

Main Duties:

• Food preparation
• Washing up and general kitchen duties
• Cleaning of the kitchen according to established routines
• Serving food ensuring that pupils are helped to make a balanced choice and that the correct portion control is made as per the National Nutritional Standards
• Supporting the catering team during service
• Cleaning the kitchen, its surrounds and equipment
• Following all health and safety laws and guidance and working within the food hygiene standards
• Taking rubbish to the binsPromoting the healthy school agenda and school initiatives
• Undertaking training to support the job

"We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and, if successful, you will need to apply for an enhanced DBS disclosure."

As a disability confident employer, we are committed to employing disabled people and people with health conditions making reasonable adjustments to support disabled applicants when required.

Closing Date: 2 November 2026, 9.00am