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- Tasks: Join our kitchen team to prepare and cook delicious meals for students.
- Company: Mercia School, a leading educational institution in Sheffield.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive team, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a difference in students' lives through your passion for food.
- Qualifications: Experience in a busy kitchen and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a thriving school community focused on excellence.
The predicted salary is between 22005 - 22354 £ per year.
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Salary: Grade 3 (£25,584 - £25,989 FTE)
Posted: 6th February 2026
Start Date: As Soon As Possible
Expires: 1st March 2026 11:59 PM
Actual salary: £22,005 - £22,354 (with under five years' service)
Contract term: 37 hours, 39 weeks, permanent
Closing date: Midnight Sunday 1 March 2026
Mercia Learning Trust
Mercia Learning Trust is a successful partnership of four primary and three secondary schools located in the south-west of Sheffield. Established in 2012, with one secondary school, our trust has grown to serving over 5000 pupils, with 650 staff.
- To empower everyone in our communities, especially the most disadvantaged, to succeed.
- We are kind - showing care and supporting each other.
- We have integrity - doing the right thing and always putting children first.
- We work with diligence - overcoming obstacles and having no excuses.
- We run schools that focus on academic excellence, cultural capital and the development of character.
- A culture of excellence – high standards shaped by clarity, not control.
- Academic focus – empowering all children through an exceptional curriculum.
- Purposeful collaboration – relationships built on trust, reducing sub-optimisation and driving collective success.
Our staff are a crucial part of our trust, just like our pupils. We are devoted to recruiting, training, retaining and taking good care of our highly skilled and dedicated team.
Mercia School
Mercia School (11-18) opened in 2018 in a brand-new building. Leaders and governors have an ambitious vision for the school and are determined that all pupils, irrespective of background will thrive and achieve well. The school has secured a strong reputation for educational excellence and during the last three years, has been the most over-subscribed school in the city.
In February 2023, Ofsted inspected the school and graded all aspects of provision, and its overall effectiveness, to be ‘Outstanding’. Mercia School published exceptional GCSE results in the summer of 2023, achieving the highest Progress 8 score for disadvantaged pupils, this high-level of performance was repeated in 2024.
Mercia Collegiate Sixth Form opened in September 2023. As the school continues to grow, it is crucial that we sustain our culture and effectiveness, and this role is central to our continued success.
The role
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, multi-talented and highly skilled Catering Assistant to join our friendly and supportive team at Mercia School. The Catering Assistant will support operations in all areas of the kitchen assisting with preparation and cooking to consistently present food to the highest standards.
The right candidate will have:
- a genuine passion for food
- experience ideally gained within a busy and demanding kitchen environment
- knowledge about what it takes to be a successful commis chef
- a high level of communication skills and the ability to relate positively to children and adults
- the talent to adapt to changing situations and learn new skills
- a keen eye for ensuring the safety of our pupils
- strong principles that are aligned with the school
We welcome applications from talented, ambitious individuals who can dedicate themselves to the implementation of our school’s vision.
Safeguarding Statement: Mercia School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
Catering Assistant in Sheffield employer: Merciatrust
Contact Detail:
Merciatrust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Assistant in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to friends, family, or even acquaintances who work in catering or education. They might know about openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show up in person! If you can, visit the school or catering facility and introduce yourself. A friendly face can make a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for an informal chat! Brush up on your knowledge about the school and its values. Be ready to discuss how your passion for food aligns with their mission to empower students.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Mercia School.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Assistant in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share any experiences or moments that sparked your interest in cooking and how you can bring that passion to our kitchen.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to detail your previous roles in busy kitchens. We want to know about your hands-on experience and how it has prepared you for the fast-paced environment at Mercia School.
Communicate Clearly: Since you'll be working with both children and adults, it's important to showcase your communication skills. Use clear and friendly language in your application to demonstrate how you relate positively to others.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Merciatrust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your culinary skills and knowledge about food safety. Be ready to discuss your previous experience in a busy kitchen and how you've handled challenges. This shows you're not just passionate about food, but also understand what it takes to thrive in a catering role.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your enthusiasm for food shine through! Share stories about your favourite dishes to prepare or memorable experiences in the kitchen. This will help the interviewers see that you genuinely care about the role and the impact it has on the students.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since you'll be working with both children and adults, strong communication skills are key. Practice how you would explain cooking processes or safety measures to someone who might not have your level of expertise. This will demonstrate your ability to relate positively to everyone in the school environment.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with Mercia School's values and mission. Think about how your principles align with theirs, especially regarding integrity and diligence. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their culture of excellence and support their vision for empowering students.
