At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and serve nutritious meals while ensuring food hygiene and safety standards.
- Company: Join PK Education Facilities & Support, making a difference in local schools.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Supportive team environment with recognition for your hard work.
- Why this job: Make pupils happy and healthy while working sociable daytime hours.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering or hospitality; food hygiene knowledge is a plus.
Flexible Term-Time Opportunities | Monday to Friday | School-Friendly Hours
Good Food, Happy Pupils & a Job That Makes a Difference!
At PK Education Facilities & Support, we know that a great school day isn't just about what's happening in the classroom – it's also about the hardworking people making sure pupils are happy, healthy and well-fed! We're looking for enthusiastic, reliable and friendly School Catering Assistants to join our growing Facilities & Support team, supporting primary, secondary and SEN schools across Sheffield and the surrounding areas.
Your Role – More Than Just Serving Lunch!
As a School Catering Assistant, you'll be an important part of the school's catering team, helping prepare and serve nutritious meals while maintaining excellent food hygiene and safety standards. Your responsibilities may include:
- Assisting with the preparation of fresh, nutritious meals for pupils and school staff.
- Preparing ingredients, including washing, peeling, chopping and basic food preparation.
- Supporting school cooks and catering managers during busy meal services.
- Serving meals in a friendly, welcoming and efficient manner.
- Following portion control guidelines and supporting dietary and allergen requirements.
- Setting up dining areas, serving counters and kitchen equipment.
- Maintaining high standards of cleanliness across kitchen and dining areas.
- Washing and sanitising utensils, equipment, trays and work surfaces.
- Following food hygiene, COSHH and health and safety procedures.
- Assisting with stock rotation, food storage and deliveries.
- Working alongside the wider catering team to ensure smooth daily operations.
Working Hours & Flexibility
School catering offers a fantastic opportunity to work sociable daytime hours while supporting local schools. Typical assignments include:
- Monday to Friday, term-time opportunities.
- Daytime shifts: Typically 9:00am/10:00am – 2:00pm/2:30pm.
- Flexible bank assignments and short-term cover.
- Potential regular and longer-term school placements.
- Opportunities across primary, secondary and specialist schools.
- Working hours will vary depending on school requirements and your availability.
What We're Looking For
We're keen to hear from candidates who have:
- Previous experience in catering, hospitality, food preparation or kitchen support.
- A Level 2 Food Hygiene/Food Safety qualification, or willingness to complete the relevant training.
- An understanding of food hygiene, safe food handling and allergen awareness.
- A friendly, positive attitude and a willingness to get stuck in!
- Good communication skills and the ability to work as part of a busy kitchen team.
- Reliability, punctuality and pride in maintaining high standards.
- An Enhanced DBS certificate, ideally on the Update Service, or willingness to complete the necessary safeguarding checks.
- Previous school catering experience is desirable but not essential!
Why Join PK Education Facilities & Support?
We believe the people preparing and serving school meals deserve just as much recognition as those working in the classroom. When you join our team, you'll benefit from:
- Competitive hourly rates with weekly pay.
- School-friendly daytime hours that can fit around family commitments.
- Flexible working opportunities to suit your availability.
- Opportunities for regular bookings and longer-term school placements.
- Dedicated consultant support from a friendly, approachable team.
- Access to relevant online training and professional development.
- Staff recognition and appreciation because your hard work matters!
Ready to Serve Up Something Special?
If you're passionate about food, enjoy working with people and want a rewarding role where your contribution genuinely matters, we'd love to hear from you! Apply today to join PK Education Facilities & Support and help keep Sheffield's pupils happy, healthy and ready to learn.
School Catering Assistant in Sheffield employer: PK Education
As a 1-1 SEN Teaching Assistant at our supportive SEND school in Coventry, you will be part of a dedicated team that prioritises the wellbeing and happiness of both students and staff. We offer a nurturing work culture with real opportunities for professional development, allowing you to grow alongside the school while making a meaningful impact on young lives every day. Join us in creating a positive learning environment where every child matters and thrives academically and personally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Catering Assistant in Sheffield
✨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 PK Education 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 School Catering Assistant in Sheffield
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 PK Education 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 PK Education.
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 PK Education get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at PK Education
✨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 PK Education 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.
