At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and serve delicious meals in a busy school kitchen.
- Company: Join a welcoming secondary school with a strong community ethos.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, 24/7 support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on students' daily lives through quality food service.
- Qualifications: 2 years of catering experience and a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate required.
Do you thrive in a busy kitchen setting and take pride in delivering a high-quality food service to students and staff? I am currently working with a welcoming and inclusive secondary school within central Birmingham, who are looking to appoint a dedicated Catering Assistant to join their team. This is an excellent opportunity to join a school with a strong community ethos, built around high expectations, teamwork, resilience, and supporting every student to achieve their full potential. The school is committed to creating a positive environment where both staff and students are encouraged to grow, succeed, and contribute to the wider school community.
The successful Catering Assistant will play an important role within the school’s catering provision, supporting the delivery of a consistent and high-quality meal service for students and staff. Duties will include:
- Food preparation
- Serving meals
- Maintaining kitchen hygiene standards
- Washing up
- Ensuring the dining area remains clean, organised, and welcoming throughout service
The school is looking for a reliable, hardworking, and enthusiastic individual who has experience working within a fast-paced school kitchen environment and understands the importance of maintaining excellent hygiene and safety standards at all times. The successful Catering Assistant will have:
- A minimum of 2 years’ experience working as a Catering Assistant within a school setting
- A Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or equivalent Food Safety qualification)
- Knowledge of Health & Safety and COSHH regulations within a catering environment
- Experience preparing and serving food within a busy kitchen
- The ability to work efficiently as part of a team
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- A positive and professional approach when interacting with students and staff
- An enhanced DBS on the update service (or be willing to obtain one)
- GCSE Maths and English (Grade 4/C or equivalent) desirable
In return for the above you can expect to receive:
- A dedicated team of consultants available 24/7 to support you through the onboarding process
- CPD Courses and certificates as part of the My-Progression channel
- Market leading rates of pay
- TeacherActive Referral Scheme – Receive up to £100 when you refer a friend (Terms and Conditions apply)
Our staff are paid on a PAYE basis, so you can rest assured that you’re paying the right level of TAX and National Insurance with no hidden admin charges.
TeacherActive is one of the UK’s leading education recruitment agencies, with over 20 years of experience supporting schools and education professionals. We place teachers and support staff into a wide range of temporary, contract and permanent roles, helping candidates find rewarding opportunities that suit their experience, availability and career goals. We pride ourselves on providing an excellent service to both our schools and candidates.
TeacherActive is an equal opportunities employer and operates as an Employment Business and Employment Agency in providing temporary, contract and permanent job seeking services. Registration may involve an enhanced DBS check, ID checks and the supply of good professional references, depending on the role. We are committed to safeguarding and compliance across all placements. Regular external audits have shown repeatedly that our standards are exceptional. We are passionate about finding the right staff for each education environment.
Catering Assistant - Secondary School employer: TeacherActive
Join a vibrant secondary school in central Birmingham as a Catering Assistant, where you will be part of a supportive community dedicated to fostering student success and staff development. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and resilience, the school offers excellent employee growth opportunities, including CPD courses and a referral scheme, all within a positive and inclusive work culture. Enjoy competitive pay and the satisfaction of contributing to a high-quality food service that enhances the school experience for students and staff alike.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Assistant - Secondary School
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the school’s ethos and values. This will help you connect with the team and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your food safety knowledge! Brush up on your understanding of hygiene standards and health & safety regulations. Being able to confidently discuss these topics during your interview will demonstrate your expertise and commitment to maintaining a safe kitchen environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your teamwork skills! Be ready to share examples of how you’ve worked effectively in a busy kitchen before. Highlighting your ability to collaborate with others will make you stand out as a reliable candidate who can thrive in a fast-paced setting.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it super easy for you to find and apply for roles like this one. Plus, our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Assistant - Secondary School
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your 2 years of experience in a school kitchen. We want to see how you've thrived in busy environments and what specific roles you've taken on. Use examples that showcase your skills in food preparation and serving.
Hygiene is Key:Since maintaining hygiene standards is crucial, mention your Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate or any equivalent qualifications. We love candidates who understand the importance of health and safety in a catering environment, so don’t hold back!
Team Player Vibes:We’re all about teamwork here! In your application, share instances where you’ve worked efficiently as part of a team. Highlight your organisational skills and how you contribute to a positive atmosphere in the kitchen.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you started on this exciting journey. We can’t wait to see what you bring to our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at TeacherActive
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your food hygiene knowledge and safety regulations. Familiarise yourself with the Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate content, as well as Health & Safety and COSHH regulations. This will show that you’re serious about maintaining high standards in the kitchen.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Since teamwork is key in a busy school kitchen, be ready to share examples of how you've worked effectively with others in the past. Highlight your ability to communicate and collaborate, as this will resonate well with the school's community ethos.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion
Express your enthusiasm for working in a school environment and your commitment to providing quality service to students and staff. Share why you take pride in your work and how you contribute to creating a welcoming atmosphere in the dining area.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions about your experience in food preparation and serving in a fast-paced environment. Be ready to discuss specific situations where you maintained hygiene standards or handled challenges during service, as this will showcase your practical skills and reliability.