Kitchen Assistant (Catering)

North East Ambition; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 9,000 - 10,000; Part time

Job summary

A charitable education Trust is seeking a dedicated Kitchen Assistant to join the team at Thorp Academy. The role involves assisting in food preparation and maintaining cleanliness and safety in the kitchen. Working part-time with 15 hours per week, you will ensure that students receive high-quality food service in a safe environment. Candidates must adhere to safeguarding policies due to the nature of the work. The position offers flexible working and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Free flu vaccinations

Free onsite parking

Qualifications

• Experience in food service or catering environments is preferred.
• Able to work harmoniously in teams with students and staff.

Responsibilities

• Assist with food preparation and storage.
• Maintain cleanliness in kitchens and surrounding areas.
• Ensure safe use of kitchen machinery.
• Help with deliveries as needed.
• Follow health and safety policies.

Skills

Basic food preparation

Maintaining cleanliness

Safe use of kitchen equipment

Adherence to health and safety policies

Job description

Post: Kitchen Assistant (Catering)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary Range: SCP 4 – SCP 5 (£25,185.00 - £25,283.00 FTE (£9,021.00 - £9,163.00 pro rata salary)

Salary amounts quoted are from the 1 September to 31 August and therefore if you commence employment part way through the academic year they are subject to an equated salary adjustment

Working Type: Part Time [15 hours / 39 weeks](45.942 paid weeks)

Base: Thorp Academy, Main Road, Ryton, Tyne & Wear, NE40 3AH

Please note: the post holder will be engaging in regulated activity, working mainly or wholly with children. This position is exempt from the rehabilitation of offender’s act 1974. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Northern Education Trust (NET) is a charitable education Trust with a good track record for school improvement. The Trust sponsors 30 academies; 17 secondary and 13 primaries across the North of England in fourteen Local Authority regions.

Thorp Academy is seeking a dedicated Kitchen Assistant to join our academy team. In this essential role, you will help provide high-quality food service to our students while maintaining an exceptionally clean and safe environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake basic food preparation and assist with food handling and storage.
• Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness in kitchens and surrounding areas.
• Ensure the correct and safe use of all kitchen machinery and equipment.
• Assist with the loading and unloading of deliveries.
• Follow all health, safety, and safeguarding policies to protect our students.

Northern Education Trust offers

• The opportunity to work and progress across the family of schools, should you wish in the future;
• The chance to apply for leadership roles in the Deeps structure taking on a whole school leadership project;
• The support and expertise of Director of Subjects.
• A full and detailed programme of support and development for all;
• A further comprehensive programme of professional development, including leadership, provided through the NET Staff College.

Employee benefits

• Free flu vaccinations
• Free onsite parking

In accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, an online search will be completed on all shortlisted applicants prior to interview. Any relevant information will be discussed further with the applicant during the interview process.

The Trust is committed to considering flexible working requests.

The Trust is committed to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. All posts are subject to enhanced disclosure and barring service checks. We expect all adults to share our commitment to safeguarding and the health and wellbeing of our pupils.

For more information, please contact Sophie Curry, Business Manager at [e-mail]

Closing date: Midday, Monday 2nd February 2026