Job Title: General Catering Assistant

Hours of Work:

7:00am - 2:00pm - 5 days a week - 30.5hrs per week

Grade: 1 SCP 3-4 

Actual minimum gross salary : £17,567.51

Actual maximum gross salary: £17,801.60

Application Closing Date: Friday 13th March 2026

Interview: TBC

Responsible to: Trust Head of Catering Manager / Lead Cook/ Head Chef

Term Time and 5 inset day

Job Purpose:

• To assist in the kitchen and dining room in the preparation of meals, food service, dish and utensil washing, general cleaning and other tasks associated with catering.
• Main Duties & Responsibilities
• To assist in the preparation of food as directed using industry recognised catering techniques, methods, equipment and food commodities (e.g. fresh, freeze dried, frozen and dehydrated products) including the production of sandwiches, baguettes, salads, simple sauces, biscuits and pre-mixes according to requirements
• To operate kitchen machinery such as mixers, slicers (when trained), dishwashers, steriliser etc. as required
• To assist in the kitchen and dining room, which may be away from the main kitchen area as required. To include setting up of the dining room in preparation for dining and supervision of queues as directed by the Catering Operations Manager.
• To wipe tables, clear trays and trolleys, empty waste bins or similar receptacles, transporting waste material to designated waste compound.
• To wash crockery, cutlery, cooking and serving utensils and kitchen machinery.
• To assist in the monitoring and maintaining of records of daily fridge and freezer and food temperature in accordance with Food Hygiene Regulations and Health & Safety Policy.
• To assist in the routine and in-depth cleaning of the kitchen, dining room and kitchen equipment on a regular basis using equipment and chemicals as recommended, in accordance with Health & Safety and COSHH requirements.
• To assist the Kitchen Manager in any task associated with catering which is required and to develop, under instruction, skills in this area.
• To assist in the completion of risk assessments as appropriate, to include the reporting of any hazardous or potentially hazardous situations.
• To assist in providing catering services to other parts of the school site as required eg conferences, parents evening, meetings etc..
• School Support & General
• To attend all department meetings and relevant staff meetings
• To attend all training courses as directed by the Trust Head of Catering
• To participate in the School’s Performance Management Review process and make use of professional development opportunities.
• To play an active and positive role.
• To familiarise yourself with the working practices of the Department.
• To maintain confidentiality according to organisation and legal requirements.
• To be aware of equal opportunities policies and principles and health & safety regulations
• The postholder will be expected to contribute to the protection of children as appropriate, in accordance with any agreed policies and/or guidelines, reporting any issues or concerns to their immediate line manager
• To accept outbursts of inappropriate behaviour as part of each young person’s special needs and work positively to help to minimise such behaviours
• To undertake other duties that can be reasonably expected of and are relevant to the level and nature of the post
• This job description only contains the main accountabilities relating to the posts and does not describe in detail all of the duties required to carry them out.

Physical Effort:

• The postholder will be expected to undertake bending, lifting, pushing, pulling and stretching in the course of their duties
• The postholder must be able to load/unload heavy boxes in and out of a vehicle and push/pull a trolley laden with the boxes.
• Personal Specification
• It is expected that the successful candidate would possess the following attributes:

Essential:

• A basic level of literacy and numeracy
• Good customer service skills
• Valid Food Hygiene certificate
• Ability to follow and work to instruction
• Works well as part of a team
• Responds enthusiastically to a demanding and busy environment
• Positive attitude to working with young people
• Ability to work well with both children and adults
• Reliable and adaptable approach to work activities
• Willing to work extra hours
• Approachable and friendly
• Current, clean driving licence

Able to:

• Move, lift, carry, push and pull boxes weighing up to 50 pounds without assistance
• Push and pull a laden trolley
• Reach overhead and below the knees, including bending, twisting, pulling and stooping
• Use electronic devices to communicate

Desirable:

• NVQ Level 1 or equivalent qualification in catering
• Experience of providing catering on a large scale. E.g. in a hotel, restaurant, care home or school.
• Experience with school age children in a paid, voluntary or domestic environment

Advert can be closed early if a sutiable candidate is found.

Safeguarding Statement

Soundwell Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, Gaps in employment checks and the Disclosure and Barring Service.