Kitchen Assistant in Saffron Walden

Job Ref No. ECC2155-77S Position Type: Catering Pay Range: Scale 2, Point 4-5

Position Start Date: Immediate Contract Type: Part-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 28/09/2026 Midday Date of Interviews: 6 October 2026

KITCHEN ASSISTANT

1000-1330, Monday-Friday; term time plus 1 week (39 working weeks per year)

FTE Salary: Scale 2, Point4-5 (£26,016-£26,427)

Actual Salary: £10,265-£10,428

Immediate start

We are a thriving village school seeking to appoint a Kitchen Assistant who has a passion for providing high-quality meals. At Debden C of E Primary Academy, we provide our pupils with healthy, delicious, and nutritious lunches that fuel their learning. To achieve this, we use the Apetito frozen meal system, which ensures high quality, balanced school meals every day. A job share will be considered for the right candidates.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking for a rewarding role within a school community. Because we use the Apetito system, there is no complex cooking from scratch. Your main focus will be on the safe reheating of meals, preparing the service, dishing up food for the children, and maintaining excellent kitchen hygiene.

Key responsibilities:

• Reheating Apetito school meals safely, ensuring strict timing and temperature controls.
• Serving meals to pupils, while carefully managing allergy and dietary requirements.
• Washing up serving trays and utensils and ensuring the kitchen and dining hall areas are clean and sanitized.
• Logging daily food safety checks, including oven and core food temperatures.
• Helping prepare basic daily items and ensuring proper stock rotation.

What we are looking for:

• Previous experience in school catering or a fast-paced kitchen is preferred, along with a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate, but not essential as full training will be given.
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure during the busy lunchtime rush, with excellent communication skills to interact positively with children.
• A warm, approachable personality and a commitment to maintaining a safe environment for pupils.

What we offer:

• Comprehensive training on the Apetito system, Apetito uniform and continued professional development.
• The opportunity to work in a successful and supportive environment.
• A caring and friendly staff body.

Closing Date: Midday on 28 September 2026

Interviews: 6 October 2026

Debden C of E Primary Academy has a strong focus on promoting Christian values and is part of Great Oak Multi Academy Trust. Visits to our friendly school are warmly welcomed and actively encouraged.

Information about the School

Debden CE Primary Academy is a warm and welcoming school situated near Saffron Walden on the Essex/Suffolk/Cambridge borders. It is a place where children can reach their best and fulfill their potential within our caring Christian community.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

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