At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in providing a professional food service and maintain kitchen cleanliness.
- Company: Ditcham Park School, a thriving educational community in the South Downs.
- Benefits: Free lunch, training opportunities, company events, and pension scheme.
- Other info: Part-time role with flexible hours and great career development potential.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and make a difference in students' daily lives.
- Qualifications: Basic computer skills and a willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
Ditcham Park School is a unique, successful and thriving school situated in 16 acres of the beautiful South Downs National Park. We have 400+ pupils, aged 4 to 16 years who benefit from a caring and supportive ethos and relatively small classes. GCSE results are consistently impressive and the school was ranked 14th best independent school, in category, in the country based on its GCSE results. Pupils of Ditcham Park School are proud of their vibrant learning community which is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to discover their talents, realise their potential and become well rounded, socially responsible citizens in a school ‘where every child is known and valued’.
The Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic and conscientious Kitchen Assistant to join our team. This is a new role as our team of kitchen staff grows to accommodate our School needs. The role is part-time, 9.00am to 3.00pm, 5 days per week.
The Kitchen Assistant will assist in the provision of a professional food service to the pupils and staff at the school, with specific responsibility for the standard of cleanliness and hygienic operation of the kitchen, dining room and associated areas, including the cleanliness of light and heavy equipment and utensils.
- To maintain the standards of hygiene and cleanliness throughout.
- To comply with the cleaning schedules and rotas, ensuring the highest possible standards of hygiene and cleanliness are maintained.
Food Service & Clearing
- To assist at service times, as directed, in a friendly and helpful manner.
- To ensure the efficient clearing of all dirty crockery, cutlery, etc. and maintain the clearing area to the highest possible standard of cleanliness.
- To load and unload the dishwashing machine, ensuring all items are clean and dry and put away in their proper places.
- To ensure tables and condiments are left clean after service and tables are adequately stocked during service times with placemats, salt, pepper, water, etc.
- To ensure that the dining room and servery floors are left clean after each meal service.
Training
- To undertake all training that may be required for the purpose of your employment.
- To comply with all training policies and procedures.
- To undertake any child protection training required by the school.
Health, Safety & Hygiene
- To ensure the standards of operation for all areas are met in full.
- To assist in the implementation of policies and procedures.
- To comply with the cleaning schedules and rotas ensuring the highest possible standards of hygiene and cleanliness are maintained.
- To comply with the standard of dress and ensure that correct uniform is always worn while on duty.
- To comply with the Health & Safety standards as laid down in relevant manuals.
- To report any potential accidents, incidents of fire, theft, loss, damage or unfit food.
- To report any suspected child protection issues to your manager or the designated safeguarding lead.
Irregular Duties
- To attend meetings whenever necessary.
- To attend training sessions whenever necessary.
- To report any customer complaints or comments and act, if possible, to satisfy the customer.
- Any other reasonable request from the customers or colleagues.
Qualifications
- Ability to use a computer and access emails for training purposes.
What We Offer:
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Company events
- Company pension
- School fee remission
- Free lunch
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
Ditcham Park School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. A certificate of good conduct may be needed for applicants who have lived or worked overseas. This position is subject to an enhanced DBS certificate in the event of a successful application.
As with all School employees, it is the School’s responsibility to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Safeguarding Policy at all times, thus promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons with whom he/she comes into contact.
If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, you become aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School, you must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.
In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 all employees have a duty to look after their own and other’s health and safety. Ditcham Park School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For further information about this vacancy please contact us using Ref: DPS_KA.
Kitchen Assistant employer: Ditcham Park School
Ditcham Park School is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and nurturing environment for its staff and pupils alike. Located in the stunning South Downs National Park, the school promotes a vibrant work culture with opportunities for professional development, employee assistance programmes, and unique benefits such as school fee remission and a cycle to work scheme. Joining our team as a Kitchen Assistant means being part of a community that values every individual and is dedicated to fostering growth and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Assistant
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at Ditcham Park School and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at Ditcham Park School that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at Ditcham Park School.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at Ditcham Park School get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ditcham Park School
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at Ditcham Park School and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
