Kitchen Assistant

Steyning Grammar School; Steyning; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 16,000; Part time

Job summary

A local educational institution is seeking an enthusiastic Kitchen Assistant to join their catering team. The role involves cleaning, basic food preparation, and meal service. Candidates should have a flexible attitude and effective communication skills. No specific academic requirements, but knowledge of food hygiene is a plus. The position offers a rewarding work environment and opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic knowledge of Food Hygiene and Healthy Eating guidelines is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Perform cleaning tasks according to food safety guidelines.
• Assist with basic food preparation.
• Serve meals and operate tills during service.

Skills

Flexible attitude

Calm under pressure

Effective communication

Job description

Overview

Kitchen Assistant BET Grade 1A-B £24,225 - £24,413 FTE (Actual salary £15,650 - £15,772) based on 27.5 hours a week (term time only, including inset days). Start date: ASAP

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and energetic Kitchen Assistant to join our catering team. The successful applicant will need the ability to work on their own and as part of a team, and to relate well to young people. There are no specific academic requirements for the post but knowledge of basic Food Hygiene and Healthy Eating guidelines would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• 27.5 hours per week term time only (plus INSETS)
• Monday to Friday shift pattern
• Hours will be 8.30am - 2.30pm
• 45.2 weeks per year
• Cleaning of store/pantry/kitchen/cookers/freezers, working to the daily cleaning schedule within food safety guidelines
• Basic food preparation, e.g. chopping vegetables, salad, sandwich making. Under supervision, assist with basic cooking
• Assisting with the serving of meals
• Operating tills during service
• Preparation, delivery and collection of hospitality trays
• Washing up
• Washing surfaces of tables in the dining area, sanitising all surfaces, sweeping and washing of floors
• Packing/preparing lunches for field trips
• Undertake Food Hygiene training annually
• Have knowledge of Healthy Eating guidelines adhering to government and school policy
• To work flexibly across all three school campuses as and when required
• Adhere to Government Health and Safety guidelines within the kitchen and participate in on the job training
• To undertake any other duties that reasonably fall within the purview of the post

Qualifications / What we are looking for

• A flexible attitude to react to different situations throughout the school day and the ability to use your own initiative within the catering environment
• Experience of working calmly under pressure
• The ability to communicate effectively with other team members, and work effectively both on your own and within a team

We offer

• Rewarding work in a passionate, enthusiastic and friendly team of colleagues
• Local Government (Defined Benefit) Pension Scheme
• Free access to an Employee Assistance programme, Retail and other discounts, Cycle to Work scheme
• The benefit of being part of a multi-academy trust offering the support of experienced colleagues across our schools and greater opportunities for career progression

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dan Tullett, Catering Manager ([e-mail]). Early applicants are welcome and we reserve the right to interview and appoint should a suitable applicant apply before the closing date.

Closing Date: 9.00am Monday 17th November 2025.

We welcome people of all faiths and those that are committed to these values. We recognise that we have under-represented groups within our workforce. As part of our commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity we are actively encouraging applications from under-represented groups such as returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people who are LGBT+, from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, with a disability, impairment, learning difference or long-term condition, with caring responsibilities, from different nations and regions and those with a lived experience of poverty as well as any other under-represented group in our workforce.

Appointments will be made subject to pre-employment checks, receipt of satisfactory references enhanced DBS check including online/social media checks. The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.