At a Glance
- Tasks: Help prepare, cook, and serve food in a lively school kitchen.
- Company: Join a welcoming secondary school with a friendly team atmosphere.
- Benefits: Enjoy term-time hours, free parking, and access to a leisure centre.
- Other info: Flexible role across multiple school sites with great career potential.
- Why this job: Make a difference in students' lives while working in a fun environment.
- Qualifications: Friendly attitude, teamwork skills, and basic food hygiene knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 18393 - 18393 € per year.
We have a fantastic new job opportunity for a School Kitchen Assistant within a busy and welcoming secondary school environment. This role is ideal for someone seeking term-time working hours that fit around family or other commitments. As a School Kitchen Assistant you will work under the direction of the Catering Manager, helping to prepare, cook and serve food and drink to students and staff. You will play an important part in ensuring service runs smoothly each day. The School Kitchen Assistant will also support with setting up and clearing dining areas, along with cleaning duties, ensuring high standards of hygiene, food safety and health and safety are maintained at all times. This is a varied, hands-on role suited to someone who is reliable, positive and enjoys working as part of a close-knit team in a fast-paced kitchen setting.
DUTIES
- Food Preparation Support: Assisting with the preparation and basic cooking of meals and ingredients
- Food Service: Serving food and drink to students and staff in a friendly and efficient manner
- Kitchen Setup and Breakdown: Preparing dining areas before service and clearing down afterwards
- Cleaning Duties: Cleaning kitchen equipment, work areas and dining spaces to required standards
- Health and Safety Compliance: Following food hygiene, health and safety and COSHH procedures
- Team Collaboration: Working closely with the Catering Manager and wider kitchen team
- Stock Handling: Assisting with the safe storage and rotation of food supplies
- Site Flexibility: Supporting catering operations across different school sites when required
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
ESSENTIAL
- A friendly, reliable and hardworking approach to work
- Ability to work effectively as part of a catering team
- Understanding of basic food hygiene and kitchen safety practices
- Willingness to work across multiple school sites when needed
- A full driving licence to enable travel between sites
DESIRABLE
- Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate or willingness to complete training
- Previous experience in a kitchen, catering or food service environment
LOCATION: Hedge End, Southampton, Hampshire (SO30) – Fully Site Based
JOB TYPE: Part-Time, Permanent
WORKING HOURS: A minimum of 32.5 hours per week, worked between 7.30am and 2.30pm, Monday to Friday, term time only (39 weeks)
SALARY: £24,414 per annum FTE / Actual Annual Salary £18,393 (based on 32.5 hours) + Benefits
Please note: This role is working between 3 school sites, so a driving licence and own vehicle is required.
BENEFITS
- Friendly and sociable colleagues
- Free on-site car park
- Staff membership rates to the modern Leisure Centre
- Good transport links
- Enrolment in one of the UK’s largest public sector pension schemes
- A tax efficient Cycle-to-Work scheme through salary sacrifice
The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. They will ensure that all recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
School Kitchen Assistant / Catering Operative (AWDO-P14395) in Hedge End) in Southampton employer: AWD online
Join a supportive and friendly team as a School Kitchen Assistant in Hedge End, where you can enjoy term-time hours that fit around your family commitments. With opportunities for professional growth, access to a public sector pension scheme, and a sociable work environment, this role offers a rewarding experience in a vibrant school setting. Plus, benefit from free on-site parking and staff membership rates at the local Leisure Centre.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Kitchen Assistant / Catering Operative (AWDO-P14395) in Hedge End) in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school environment! If you can, visit the school or check out their website. Understanding the vibe and values of the place will help you connect better during your interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your teamwork skills! In a busy kitchen, being a reliable team player is key. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked well with others in past roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your food hygiene knowledge! Even if you don’t have a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate yet, showing that you understand basic food safety practices will impress the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way in landing that School Kitchen Assistant role!
We think you need these skills to ace School Kitchen Assistant / Catering Operative (AWDO-P14395) in Hedge End) in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When you're filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm for working in a school kitchen environment.
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you've got any experience in kitchens or food service, make sure to mention it! Even if it's just helping out at home or volunteering, it shows us you're familiar with the hustle and bustle of a busy kitchen.
Show Your Team Spirit:This role is all about teamwork, so share examples of how you've worked well with others in the past. Whether it’s in a job, at school, or even in sports, we love to see that collaborative spirit!
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your details and get back to you quickly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AWD online
✨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a School Kitchen Assistant. Familiarise yourself with food preparation, hygiene standards, and the importance of teamwork in a busy kitchen environment. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Since this role involves working closely with a team, be prepared to discuss your experience in collaborative settings. Share examples of how you've contributed to a positive team atmosphere in previous jobs or during school projects. Highlighting your reliability and friendly nature will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Brush Up on Food Hygiene
Understanding basic food hygiene and safety practices is crucial for this position. If you have a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate, mention it! If not, express your willingness to complete the training. This shows your commitment to maintaining high standards in the kitchen.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect some practical questions about handling food, cleaning duties, and health and safety compliance. Think about scenarios you might face in the kitchen and how you would handle them. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and readiness for the role.
