At a Glance
- Tasks: Support school kitchens and maintain a safe environment for students with additional needs.
- Company: Protocol Education, dedicated to making a positive impact in specialist schools.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, and ongoing support from a dedicated consultant.
- Other info: Flexible full-time and part-time roles available across Southend-on-Sea.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Reliability, teamwork skills, and experience in catering or maintenance preferred.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
Are you looking for flexible work within specialist school settings where you can make a positive difference behind the scenes? Protocol Education is currently recruiting Kitchen Assistants, Catering Assistants, Caretakers and Site Support Staff to work within specialist schools across Southend-on-Sea. These roles are ideal for reliable and hardworking individuals who enjoy practical, hands‑on work and are comfortable working within SEND school environments supporting children and young people with additional needs. Opportunities can range from day‑to‑day supply cover to longer‑term placements depending on school requirements.
Typical Responsibilities:
- Assisting school kitchen teams with food preparation and cleaning
- Maintaining hygiene and health & safety standards
- Supporting with deliveries and stock organisation
- General caretaker and site support duties
- Assisting with classroom, dining hall or event set‑up
- Helping maintain a safe and welcoming school environment
Ideal Candidates:
- Reliable, punctual and proactive
- Comfortable working within specialist school settings
- Previous catering, cleaning, maintenance or caretaker experience beneficial
- Able to work independently and as part of a team
- Experience working around children or vulnerable individuals is advantageous
- Enhanced DBS preferred or willingness to apply for one
Role Details:
- Flexible full‑time and part‑time opportunities
- Day‑to‑day and longer‑term bookings available
- Monday to Friday school hours
- Roles based across Southend‑on‑Sea specialist schools
Benefits:
- Competitive weekly PAYE pay
- Flexible working opportunities
- Ongoing support from a dedicated consultant
- Opportunity to gain experience across a variety of specialist school settings
If you are looking for flexible school‑based work and enjoy supporting busy educational environments, apply today. All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details. All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date. Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance 'Keeping Children Safe in Education', this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants. We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.
School Kitchen Assistant & Site Support Staff - Special Schools employer: Protocol Education Ltd
Protocol Education is an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful work in specialist school settings across Southend-on-Sea. With flexible full-time and part-time opportunities, competitive pay, and ongoing support from dedicated consultants, we foster a collaborative and supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Join us to make a positive impact while enjoying the unique advantage of working within diverse educational environments.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Kitchen Assistant & Site Support Staff - Special Schools
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to friends, family, or even former colleagues who might have connections in the education sector. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that school kitchen assistant or site support role.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to come to you. Visit our website regularly and apply directly for roles that catch your eye. The more applications you send, the better your chances of finding the perfect fit.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the schools you're applying to. Understand their values and how you can contribute to creating a safe and welcoming environment for students with additional needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your application or interview. A quick email thanking them for the opportunity and expressing your enthusiasm can keep you on their radar. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and ready to make a difference!
We think you need these skills to ace School Kitchen Assistant & Site Support Staff - Special Schools
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in catering, cleaning, or maintenance. We want to see how your skills fit the role of a Kitchen Assistant or Site Support Staff in a specialist school setting.
Show Your Passion for Education:Let us know why you’re excited about working in a school environment, especially with children and young people with additional needs. A personal touch can really make your application stand out!
Highlight Reliability and Teamwork:We’re looking for reliable and proactive individuals. Share examples of how you've worked well in a team or taken initiative in previous roles. This will show us you’re a great fit for our supportive school environments.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and allows you to explore more about the roles we offer across Southend-on-Sea.
How to prepare for a job interview at Protocol Education Ltd
✨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you understand the responsibilities of a Kitchen Assistant and Site Support Staff in a specialist school. Familiarise yourself with tasks like food preparation, hygiene standards, and supporting children with additional needs. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Show Your Experience
If you've worked in catering, cleaning, or maintenance before, be ready to share specific examples. Talk about how your previous roles have prepared you for this position, especially any experience working with children or vulnerable individuals. This will demonstrate your reliability and suitability for the job.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Since the role offers flexible working hours, emphasise your availability and willingness to adapt to different school environments. Mention any previous experiences where you had to be flexible or work under varying conditions, as this will show that you can handle the dynamic nature of the job.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few questions to ask at the end of the interview. Inquire about the school's approach to supporting children with additional needs or what a typical day looks like for someone in this role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
