School Kitchen Assistants

Surrey County Council; England; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A local authority seeks a part-time Catering Assistant to prepare and serve food in schools across Surrey. The role involves excellent customer service during lunchtime. Ideal candidates should be motivated team players committed to providing a great experience for children. The position offers flexible hours and opportunities for personal development.

Benefits

Final salary pension

Discounts on various services

Health and wellbeing support

Employee Assistance Programme

Full induction

Training and development opportunities

Term time only hours

Qualifications

• No specific qualifications required, commitment and motivation are key.
• Good communication skills and ability to assist Chef Manager.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve food in school kitchens.
• Set up dining areas and assist with clean-up duties.
• Provide excellent customer service to children.

Skills

Customer service

Flexibility

Teamwork

Job description

• Salary: £12.21 per hour (plus annual leave allowance)
• Category: Catering - Unqualified
• Contract type: Permanent
• Working hours: 10 - 20 hours per week, 38.2 weeks per year
• Posted on: 12 September 2025
• Directorate: Resources
• Location: Surreywide

Description

This role offers a starting salary of £23,322 per annum (full-time equivalent), which is equivalent to £12.42 per hour, along with an annual leave allowance.

We have a number of part-time permanent and fixed term Catering Assistant positions available in over 250 schools throughout the County. Many of our staff work around 10 hours per week but there are positions from 10 to 20 hours. These positions are primarily Monday to Friday over the lunchtime period.

We are very committed to developing talent and skills to ensure our team members are the very best they can be and can grow and flourish.If you want to be part of this great team with fantastic opportunity to showcase your passion and skill, please read on.

Our Offer to You

• Final salary pension
• Discounts on various services including food shopping
• Health and wellbeing support
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Full induction
• Training and development opportunities
• Term time only hours that allow for good work/life balance.

About the Role

Using your passion, creativity and enthusiasm for serving great food you will help to prepare and serve food, set up the dining area, serve children and assist with clean up duties.Your main goal will be to assist in the school kitchen to provide excellent customer service to our most important customers: the children. You may also occasionally be asked to work in other local schools.

This is an entry level role, therefore, no specific qualifications are required. All we ask is that you arecommitted,motivatedand ateam player.

Customer service is at the front and centre of the Twelve15 Vision and Mission.If you have good communication skills, the ability to be flexible and adaptable, and the capability to support the work of the Chef Manager, we would like to hear from you!

Your Application

As part of the application process, you will be asked to answer the following questions:

• What attracted you to apply for this position?
• What transferrable skills do you have that are relevant to this position?

An Enhanced DBS check for regulated activity and the Children's Barred List check will be required for this role. This will be paid for by Twelve15. You need to be able to prove eligibility to work in the UK.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to new unitary councils in April 2027. Your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of these new councils, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.