At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in preparing and serving delicious meals for pupils and staff.
- Company: Hawthorn Primary School, a supportive and welcoming environment.
- Benefits: Part-time role with a friendly team and well-behaved pupils.
- Other info: Join us from September 2026 and be part of a caring community.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's dining experiences while enjoying a collaborative culture.
- Qualifications: Passion for food, good people skills, and relevant food safety certifications.
The predicted salary is between 24796 - 25583 £ per year.
Hawthorn Primary School is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic General Kitchen Assistant to join our committed and supportive team starting in September 2026. This part-time position is suitable for someone who is passionate about delivering high-quality food to our children.
Salary: £24,796 – £25,583 FTE (salary is pro rata). Actual salary: £10,841 – £11,186.
Role Overview: This role supports the Catering Manager by assisting in the preparation, cooking and service of food in line with a daily schedule. It supports a high-quality catering service, ensuring full compliance with school policies, food hygiene standards and all relevant Health and Safety regulations.
Responsibilities:
- Assisting with the preparation of food and drinks for pupils and staff, including basic cooking, in line with agreed menus and portion requirements.
- Cleaning, caring for and safely using kitchen equipment to maintain high standards of hygiene and safety.
- Preparing, setting up and clearing dining areas before and after service, including the safe movement of furniture, ensuring areas are ready for use and left clean and tidy.
- Serving meals and refreshments to pupils, staff and visitors.
- Cleaning the kitchen, dining areas and equipment throughout the shift, including washing up, sweeping and mopping.
- Checking deliveries on arrival and storing food and supplies correctly in accordance with food safety procedures.
- Supporting school events and catering activities, such as occasional evening events, parents’ evenings or tasting sessions.
- Working in line with food hygiene standards and health and safety regulations to ensure a safe environment for pupils and staff.
- Being aware of dietary preferences.
Qualifications:
- Good people skills.
- Passion about food and customer service.
- A great team player.
- Food Safety Level 2 certificate (current).
- Allergy Awareness Certificate (current).
- Experience in a similar environment.
Benefits:
- A welcoming, supportive staff team.
- Well-behaved pupils.
- A school culture that values collaboration and wellbeing.
Commitment and Legal: This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to necessary pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS; prohibition check; child-care disqualification check; qualifications; medical fitness; identity and right to work. All applicants will be required to provide two suitable references, and an online search will also be carried out on all shortlisted candidates. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.
Start date: September 2026.
Closing date: 26th June 2026.
Interview date: Week commencing 6th July 2026.
General Kitchen Assistant - Hawthorn Primary School in Birmingham employer: WMJobs
Hawthorn Primary School is an excellent employer, offering a nurturing and collaborative work environment where staff are valued and supported. With a focus on employee wellbeing and professional growth, this part-time role as a General Kitchen Assistant allows you to contribute to the health and happiness of well-behaved pupils while enjoying the benefits of a friendly team culture. Join us in making a meaningful impact in our community from September 2026.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Kitchen Assistant - Hawthorn Primary School in Birmingham
✨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 WMJobs 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 General Kitchen Assistant - Hawthorn Primary School in Birmingham
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 WMJobs 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 WMJobs.
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 WMJobs get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at WMJobs
✨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 WMJobs 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.
