Catering Assistant

Paxman Academy, Colchester, Essex, CO2 9DB

24 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1st September 2026

• Closing date

  17 May 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  23 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Catering, cleaning and site management
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £16,047.00 - £16,301.00 Annually (Actual) Local Government Pay Scale 2, Points 4-5

Catering Assistant job summary

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.

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.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Paxman Academy

• School type: Free School, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 886 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Paxman Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/paxman-academy

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