Kitchen Assistant (Catering)

North East Combined Authority; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free flu vaccinations

Free onsite parking

High quality CPD

LGPS pension

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Northern Education Trust is seeking a reliable Kitchen Assistant at Dyke House Academy in Hartlepool. This term-time, part-time role supports the Chef Manager to prepare nutritious meals for students and keep the kitchen clean and compliant with safety standards.

The position is 10 hours per week, Monday to Friday 12pm–2pm, over 39 weeks, with pro-rata salary details. The Trust offers safeguarding, development opportunities, pension, and flexible recruitment checks.

Qualifications

• Team player with a positive, can-do attitude.
• Awareness of health, safety and food hygiene standards.
• Excellent reliability and time management skills.
• Commitment to safeguarding and GDPR.

Responsibilities

• Food Preparation: Carry out basic food preparation tasks to support daily meal service.
• Cleanliness & Hygiene: Maintain the kitchen, dining and surrounding areas to the highest standards of cleanliness.
• Safety & Compliance: Properly use and care for kitchen machinery and equipment while following health and safety procedures.
• Stock & Logistics: Assist with loading and unloading delivery and supply vehicles when required.
• Teamwork: Undertake general tasks to ensure efficient food service delivery and complete training as needed.

Job description

Post: Kitchen Assistant

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary Range: Grade 2, SCP4 – SCP5 (£26,016.00 - £26,427.00 FTE) Pro rata salary £6,212.20 - £6,310.34

Salary amounts quoted are from the 1 September to 31 August and therefore if you commence employment part way through the academic year, they are subject to an equated salary adjustment

Working Type: Part time, 10 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 12pm – 2pm (39 working weeks, paid weeks 45.942)

Base: Dyke House Academy, Mapleton Road, Hartlepool, TS24 8NQ

Please note:the post holder will be engaging in regulated activity, working mainly or wholly with children. This position is exempt from the rehabilitation of offender’s act 1974. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Northern Education Trust (NET) is a charitable education Trust with a good track record for school improvement. The Trust sponsors 30 academies; 17 secondary and 13 primaries across the North of England in fourteen Local Authority regions.

At Northern Education Trust, we are dedicated to enhancing the life chances of the children and young people in our care. We are looking for a reliable, hard-working, and enthusiastic Kitchen Assistant to join our catering team at Dyke House Academy.

If you want a rewarding role that fits perfectly around school holidays, this term-time position is ideal.

The Role

Your primary focus will be supporting our Chef Manager in ensuring the smooth, safe, and efficient running of our school kitchen. You will help prepare nutritious meals for our students while keeping the kitchen environments sparkling clean and compliant with safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Food Preparation: Carry out basic food preparation tasks to support daily meal service.
• Cleanliness & Hygiene: Maintain the kitchen, dining, and surrounding areas to the highest standards of cleanliness.
• Safety & Compliance: Properly use and care for kitchen machinery and equipment while strictly following health and safety procedures.
• Stock & Logistics: Assist with loading and unloading delivery and supply vehicles when required.
• Teamwork: Undertake general tasks to ensure efficient food service delivery and complete training as needed.

What We Are Looking For

• A team player with a positive, "can-do" attitude.
• Awareness of (or willingness to learn) health, safety, and food hygiene standards.
• Excellent reliability and time management skills.
• Commitment to upholding GDPR, confidentiality, and safeguarding regulations.

Northern Education Trust offers:

• The opportunity to work and progress across the family of schools, should you wish in the future;
• The chance to apply for leadership roles in the Deeps structure taking on a whole school leadership project;
• The support and expertise of Director of Subjects.
• A full and detailed programme of support and development for all;
• A further comprehensive programme of professional development, including leadership, provided through the NET Staff College.

Employee benefits

• Free flu vaccinations
• Free onsite parking
• High quality continuous professional development
• Occupational sick pay, maternity and paternity pay
• Access to Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7)
• In accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, an online search will be completed on all shortlisted applicants prior to interview. Any relevant information will be discussed further with the applicant during the interview process.

The Trust is committed to considering flexible working requests.

The Trust is committed to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. All posts are subject to enhanced disclosure and barring service checks. We expect all adults to share our commitment to safeguarding and the health and wellbeing of our pupils.

For more information, please contact Ms Andrea Thompson, Business Manager at [e-mail]

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 8th November 2026