Job Description
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Catering Assistant - Term Time Only - No Weekends or Public Holidays
Hours:
24 hours per week. Monday-Thursday, 12.00pm-6.30pm
Term time only (38 weeks per year)
Start date: From 18th May 2026
The Role
We are seeking an efficient and enthusiastic Catering Assistant to join our friendly catering team at Ramsden Hall Academy, a SEMH residential school for boys aged 10-16 (Ofsted: Good, Residential: Outstanding).
You will support the preparation and service of high‑quality meals, ensuring excellent hygiene standards and contributing to a positive dining experience for pupils and staff. This is an ideal opportunity for someone with catering or school kitchen experience looking for aterm‑time only role with no weekend work or public holidays.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist with food preparation, cooking and service
- Serve food at counters, hatches or trolleys
- Wash dishes and kitchen equipment using dishwashers
- Carry out general kitchen and dining area cleaning
- Maintain high standards of food hygiene and health & safety
- Work collaboratively with the Catering Manager and kitchen team
About You
- Experience preparing and serving food
- Experience cleaning kitchen equipment and catering areas
- Good understanding of hygiene and health & safety
- A team player with a proactive, can‑do attitude
- Able to work independently and prioritise tasks
What We Offer
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Term‑time only working pattern
- No evenings, weekends or school holidays
- Training and CPD opportunities
- Blue Light Card discounts
- Free onsite parking
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Closing date:8 May 2026 (12 noon)
We reserve the right to interview and appoint early.
Ramsden Hall Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, medical clearance and online searches of shortlisted candidates.
Potential candidates are invited to contact us for an informal conversation, please contact Jane Quilter- HR Operations Manager on telephone: 01277 624580 or email: jquilter@ramsdenhall.org.uk We reserve the right to call applicants to interview and appoint, prior to the closing date.
To apply please complete the application form, which can be found on our website, or follow this link: https://ramsdenhall.org.uk/careers/vacancies This form must be fully completed and submitted to jquilter@ramsdenhall.org.uk (unaccompanied CVs or third party application forms will not be accepted) by the closing date stated.
Ramsden Hall Academy (RHA) is part of the Parallel Learning Trust (PLT), a Multi Academy Trust based in Carshalton and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all pupils attending the Academy. As the duties of this post involves regular contact with children, any offer to the successful candidate will be conditional upon an Enhanced Disclosure being obtained via the Disclosure and Barring Service, medical clearance and satisfactory references. We will also carry out online searches on shortlisted candidates to help identify any incidents or issues that are publicly available online.
PLT is a Multi Academy Trust and Approved DfE Academy Sponsor; a forward thinking and innovative primary, special and alternative provision provider. PLT is committed to Safer Recruitment and aims for quality services and equal opportunities.
Information about the School
Ramsden Hall Academy is a Residential Special School for male students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH) based in Ramsden Heath, Billericay, Essex.
The Academy was rated 'Good' in its most recent Ofsted inspection and is part of the Parallel Learning Trust, a Multi Academy Trust and DfE approved sponsor. Our Residential provision has been awarded 'Outstanding' status by Ofsted.
The Academy works with over 100 secondary-age and Year 6 male students who have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) for Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs offering a residential provision.
The Academy aims to support all students with their specific needs and barriers to learning to enable them to reach their full potential both academically and in terms of managing their behaviour. This is achieved by providing high quality teaching and learning and by using assessment, engagement and developing educational programmes. The Academy works actively with students and their families to ensure positive outcomes for all.
Focused attention is paid to the student’s individual needs through an integrated therapeutic approach to the curriculum. The Academy works with families to put in place aspirational targets for all learners and always celebrate the achievements of students to reinforce their success and achievement.
Any of the students demonstrating the skills and attainment required to successfully reintegrate into a mainstream school will be supported in the transition. Families will also receive support and guidance on how to best work with the school to help ensure their child is successful. The Academy aims for all students to enter further education, training or employment on exit from the Academy.
Our site is both attractive and well equipped in all areas of the curriculum and is well resourced. The school is situated with 14 acres of land in Ramsden Heath, near Billericay.