Catering Assistant

Job Description

Join a Team That is Committed to 'Building Brighter Futures' at Paxman Academy

Are you a collaborative professional who thrives in a supportive community? Ready to help students fulfil their full potential?

At Paxman Academy, we're dedicated to creating an ordered, stimulating learning environment where every student is valued, respected, and encouraged to achieve their best.

We are looking for a dedicated and reliable Catering Assistant to join our team in providing high-quality food and beverages to our students. Under the direction of the Catering Manager, you will play a vital role in the daily operations of the school kitchen, ensuring our students receive nutritious meals in a clean and welcoming environment.

• Start Date: 1st September 2026
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Hours/Weeks: 27.5 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (term time plus non-pupil days)
• Working Pattern: 9:00am - 2:30pm, Monday to Friday

A Day in the Life:

Some of the key responsibilities of the role include:

• Food Preparation: Assist with the preparation and simple cooking of food and beverages.
• Customer Service: Serve students and staff at the counter or hatch during service times.
• Hygiene & Maintenance: Maintain high standards of cleanliness by washing equipment, utensils, glassware, and kitchen surfaces (including floors and walls up to 6ft).
• Compliance: Ensure all activities comply with statutory health, safety, and hygiene regulations.
• Teamwork: Work effectively with colleagues and attend necessary training or meetings.

What We're Looking For:
You are the perfect fit for our team if you have:

• Previous experience in simple food preparation and customer service.
• The ability to communicate clearly with both children and adults.
• Basic literacy and numeracy skills, with the ability to follow instructions and manage time effectively.
• A commitment to personal hygiene, equality, and the ability to build respectful relationships within the school community.
• The ability to safely operate kitchen and cleaning equipment.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

Why Choose The Sigma Trust?
We believe in investing in our staff and fostering a culture of collaboration. We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive package designed to support your professional and personal life.

Professional Development:

• A robust CPD training program that empowers you to flourish.
• Unrivalled opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the Trust, sharing ideas and building strong professional relationships.

Employee Benefits:

• A competitive salary and excellent pension scheme.
• A Health Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme for your well-being.
• Exclusive perks like the Cycle to Work scheme, discounted gym memberships, cinema tickets, and eligibility for a Blue Light Card.

Commitment to Safeguarding & Diversity

The Sigma Trust is deeply committed to safeguarding and protecting the well-being of the children and young people we work with. As an equal opportunity workplace, we celebrate diversity and believe our strength comes from working together.

To Apply:

Ready to take the next step? Submit an application on My New Term by midnight on Sunday 17th May, 2026. You will need to copy and paste the URL link below into your web browser to access the vacancy on My New Term:

https://mynewterm.com/jobs/147080/EDV-2026-PA-15380

Please note that only fully completed application forms will be accepted and we reserve the right to close this advert early should we receive an overwhelming response. Candidates may be invited to interview prior to the closing date, so an early application is advised.

We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding our vacancies.

Information about the School

Paxman Academy opened in September 2019 and admitted 180 Year 7 students in the first year.

Paxman Academy is committed to providing an ordered, stimulating learning environment in which all students are encouraged to achieve their best. It is determined that all students should be valued through the provision of a broad, relevant, balanced and challenging curriculum that caters for individual needs; this is encouraged within an atmosphere of mutual respect. The Academy recognises its role within the broader community. It is determined to maintain a STEM focus throughout the curriculum and across extended learning opportunities. It identifies learning as a lifelong process and values the contribution made by parents and others to the creation of a partnership. Within this partnership, and through learning opportunities provided, students will develop skills, attitudes and values that prepare them to accept the challenges and responsibilities of adult life.

Paxman Academy embraces the values of The Sigma Trust to ensure that all students will fulfil their potential and transform life chances for all.

Safeguarding The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.