At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare healthy meals and create a welcoming atmosphere for students.
- Company: Join the supportive team at Woodlands Meed School.
- Benefits: Enjoy a great work-life balance, pension scheme, and discounts on various offers.
- Other info: Term time only contract with opportunities for training and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 13419 - 13419 £ per year.
About the Role
Salary: £13,419per annum (pro rata calculated from part-time hours and term time only)
Contract Type
Permanent, Term Time Only (39 weeks which includes 5 cleaning days)
Working Pattern
Part time, 22.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday 9:30am - 2pm)
Location
Birchwood Grove Road, Burgess Hill, RH15 0DP
We’re looking for a Catering Assistant to join us at Woodlands Meed College, supporting pupils by preparing healthy, nutritious food and encouraging valuable life skills along the way.
Your role as a Catering Assistant goes beyond just preparing homemade meals.
You will also create a welcoming atmosphere and provide exceptional service, using your friendly and approachable nature to make sure students feel valued and cared for at mealtimes.
- There will be some key responsibilities likely to feature in this role, including:
- Support the day-to-day operation of the kitchen including preparation, cooking, and cleaning to the required standards, ensuring hygiene and safety measure are maintained.
- Thriving in busy environment and support colleagues to maintain high professional standards.
- This is an active role, which includes regularly lifting, moving, and handling large equipment.
- Follow written documentation for Health & Safety and Food Safety legislation and business requirements.
With a term time only contract that allows a work/life balance, great pension plus a range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers.
There’s never been a better time to join!
- Required Qualifications and Skills
- Experience in, catering with good customer service, including strong written and verbal communication.
- Good at communicating and can connect well with children and staff.
- Level 2 Food Safety Certificate, or an understanding of Food Safety.
- Basic literacy and numeracy skills.
- Experience with Health & Safety procedures in a commercial setting.
- An understanding for the differing needs of young people with special educational needs.
- A genuine passion for promoting healthy and balanced eating.
No candidate will meet every single desired qualification.
If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you!
- What To Expect from Working with Us
- A Term Time Only (TTO) contract where you will work during periods in which schools are open plus an additional 5 days for cleaning.
- Excellent work-life balance with evenings, weekends, and bank holidays off.
- Supportive and welcoming team environment.
- An excellent local government pension scheme
- Maternity, paternity, dependency and adoption leave
- A range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers; groceries, travel, cinema tickets, days out, leisure activities, high street retailers and the opportunity to save over £1,000 a year through our West Sussex Choices benefits platform
- Training and development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring
- Health and wellbeing benefits including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and Voluntary Health Cash Plans.
For a full list this can be found at our Rewards and Benefits page.
Further Information
The reference number for this role is 254.
For an informal conversation or for further informationregardingthe role, please contact Helen Turner at helen. turner@westsussex. gov. uk For an informal conversationregardingthe application process, please contact Rachael Doolan(Recruitment Specialist)at Rachael.
Doolan@westsussex. gov. uk
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, youngpeopleand vulnerable adults.
This post is subject to right to work within the UK, enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, satisfactory references, and health check.
Equity, inclusionand accessibility isvery importantto West Sussex County Council.
We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve.
We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.
Weoperatea guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.
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Catering Assistant-Woodlands Meed School in Burgess Hill employer: West Sussex County Council
West Sussex County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises community impact and employee wellbeing. With opportunities for professional development and a focus on strengths-based approaches, you will be empowered to make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model in the beautiful surroundings of West Sussex.
Contact Details:
West Sussex County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Assistant-Woodlands Meed School in Burgess Hill
✨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 West Sussex County Council 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 Catering Assistant-Woodlands Meed School in Burgess Hill
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 West Sussex County Council 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 West Sussex County Council.
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 West Sussex County Council get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at West Sussex County Council
✨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 West Sussex County Council 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.
