Kitchen Assistant

Essex; Witham; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 20,000; Part time

Job summary

A local school in Witham, England is seeking a part-time Catering Assistant to prepare and transport meals for students. The role requires someone friendly and organised with a Level 2 Food Safety award. Duties include ensuring meals are delivered efficiently and cleaning up afterwards. The position is term-time only, requiring 15 hours a week from 11.00 am to 2.00 pm, with an immediate start. Candidates must have a driving license and a passion for supporting children's dietary needs.

Qualifications

• Experience in a kitchen desirable, not necessarily in a school environment.
• A Level 2 award in Food Safety is essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing and transporting school meals.
• Load and drive meals to the College site.
• Return to collect and clean up after lunch.

Skills

Organisational skills

Calm under pressure

Friendly and personable

Cooking experience

Education

Level 2 award in Food Safety

Job description

Job Details

Job Ref No. ECC7013-223 Position Type: Catering Pay Range: Scale 1-2 Point 2-4

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

Application Close: 04/01/2026 Midnight Date of Interviews: TBC

15 hours per week (Monday to Friday 11.00am to 2.00pm) (Term time only plus one week).

Driving Licence - essential.

About the School

Southview is an Ofsted Outstanding special school with provision for children and students that have a range of physical and neurological impairments. The kitchen is based on the School site and caters for children and students between the ages of 3-19. The school will cater for approximately 60 school dinners per day. Due to the feeding requirements for a number of our children and students some meals may have to be pureed or be modified to a particular consistency.

Responsibilities

We are looking for a person who:

• Is organised and calm under pressure.
• Is friendly and personable with all members of the school community, and has a good sense of humour.
• Is confident in working under their own initiative.
• Preferably has some catering experience.

Duties will include, helping to prepare and transport school meals for the students based on our College site, loading up and driving to the College site using the school car, unloading the school dinners in pre‑packed boxes, once students have finished lunch return to the College site to collect the boxes and return to the School kitchen to assist the team with washing and clearing up.

Qualifications

Experience in working in a kitchen is desirable although this does not necessarily mean in a school kitchen environment. A Level 2 award in Food Safety is essential for the role, all training will be provided by the school.

Safeguarding & Recruitment

Southview is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Appointment will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure check, medical clearance and satisfactory references. 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.

Contact

Julie Cornell
Southview School
Conrad Road, Witham
Essex, CM8 2TA
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]