Food & Nutrition Technician in Stourbridge

Old Swinford Hospital is one of the country’s leading state boarding schools. The majority of the School’s students are boarders who come from a wide range of backgrounds in the UK and also from the EU and overseas. A third of our pupils are day pupils, who usually go home after lessons, unless they are involved in sport or music, CCF or DofE. The School is now on an exciting journey to become fully co‑educational by September 2025. Girls joined us in September 2021 in Year 7, whilst the Sixth Form has been mixed since 2004. OSH is a calm place to work. It is inclusive, tolerant and welcoming. The atmosphere is supportive and orderly, and it is also very relaxed because for many of our pupils their school is also their home. We have recently had two very favourable Ofsted visits, one for boarding and one for curriculum. We enjoy a very good academic reputation and regularly feature in the lists of the most academically successful maintained schools. We pride ourselves on developing in our pupils a balance of academic achievement, character and resilience and we’ve been doing this now for nearly 360 years. A major building programme has recently been completed which includes a large extension to an already impressive sports centre, an all‑weather floodlit sports pitch, a new teaching block with a specialist arts room, a performing arts centre and a new senior boarding house.

Person Specification

• Practical / hands‑on experience working in a school environment is desirable but not a necessity.
• Experience of maintaining a safe and clean environment.
• Knowledge of working with and maintaining kitchen equipment.
• Be resourceful and self‑reliant whilst always being part of the Design & Technology team.
• Be able to work and communicate with a wide range of staff and students.
• Be organised and methodical.
• Conscientious, reliable and enthusiastic.
• Be flexible and imaginative in developing new ideas and resources, as well as adapting to curriculum changes.
• Displays commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people.

Job Specification

• Prepare resources and equipment as required by the Teacher prior to lessons.
• Assist/instruct pupils on a one‑to‑one basis when requested by Teacher.
• Assist the Teacher in the organising, ordering, preparing and storage of stock and ingredients.
• Sorting out laundry ready for each practical.
• Assist pupils with their practical projects throughout different year groups.
• Work with the Teacher to keep department risk assessments up to date.
• Provide practical and technical support for the Teacher and students.
• Keep sinks, work tops, ovens and floors clean; keep stock rooms and resource/equipment/tool cupboards clean, tidy and in good order.
• Maintain and keep clean a wide range of kitchen appliances and equipment.
• Establish daily, weekly and termly routines to promote high standards in hygiene and safety in all learning areas, including deep cleaning of the food room including cookers.
• Control and store safely all chemicals, flammables and specialised solutions, ensuring that current Health & Safety, COSHH regulations are adhered to.
• Maintain all necessary safety signs adjacent to machinery.
• Prepare/edit practical resources or displays instructed by the teacher.
• Ensure the teaching area is locked and secure when not in use, and all power is turned off where appropriate.
• Complete all online training and any training required for the role, for example, food hygiene level 3 and first aid training.
• Be willing to help in the school kitchens when not required in the food technology room or requested by SLT.
• Participate in the promotion of your department and the School, including Open Days and Open Evenings, Induction Days and the like, and the attendance at any marketing events as requested by SLT.
• Undertake such other duties as the Headmaster may from time to time reasonably require.

Hours of Work

This is a permanent contract for 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, term time only. The work pattern for the technician is: Monday to Thursday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm with a 30‑minute unpaid break. Friday 8:00 am to 3:30 pm with a 30‑minute unpaid break.

Remuneration

The rate of pay is currently £13.05 per hour plus statutory holiday pay. In line with current regulation you will, if you are eligible, be offered a workplace pension through NEST.

Suitability to Work with Children

Old Swinford Services Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants are required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. We reserve the right to close the vacancy before the advertised date if a large number of applications have been received.