Catering Assistant

The Lodestar Academy, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 8JE

18 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  1 November 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  14 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Catering, cleaning and site management
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Term time, part time: 15 hours per week, Monday to Wednesday, term time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Hourly rate: 13.30

What skills and experience we're looking for

Looking for a term time catering role?

Thinking Food are seeking a Catering Assistant to join their team based at Lodestar Academy in Torquay. The successful candidate will be accountable to the Catering Manager working as part of the team providing nutritious and balanced meals to our students, whilst promoting healthy eating.

The Catering Assistant will assist the team in the preparation, cooking and serving of food & beverages and to ensure that kitchen is kept in a hygienic condition. This will include preparation of food, serving of meals, general kitchen and cleaning duties as directed ensuring the smooth running of the kitchen in compliance with relevant Health & Safety and Food Hygiene requirements.

If you have experience within the catering industry and are looking for a role that is term-time only and Monday to Friday then we are looking for you to apply.

What the school offers its staff

Why Join the Thinking Schools Academy Trust?

We’re proud to offer more than just a job—we provide a range of exceptional benefits to support and reward our staff:

Career Development: We are committed to supporting your professional growth and offer a wide range of opportunities for career advancement. From staff development days and conferences to apprenticeships, we provide clear pathways for progression and promotional opportunities across our regions.

Health and Wellbeing Support: Access our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, wellbeing support, preferential access to Benenden Health, free flu vaccinations and eye care vouchers.

Employee Recognition: Referral Scheme, Long Service Awards and the TSTARS Recognition Programme.

TSAT Benefits Portal: A one-stop shop benefits hub that gives you access to a range of exclusive benefits including cashback from supermarkets and high street retailers, dental insurance scheme, Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym membership.

Blue Light Card: Offering exclusive discounts and savings at thousands of retailers, restaurants, and attractions.

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

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Job Description - Thinking Food - Catering Assistant (TSfE).pdf - 693 KB (opens in new tab)

About The Lodestar Academy

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• Size: 38 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: The Lodestar Academy website
• Email address: tracy.pocock@tsatrust.org.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-burton-academy

Lodestar Academy is a dynamic academy based in Torbay, who have built an impressive reputation in the alternative education provision sector for young people aged 11-18. We believe that all young people have the capacity to learn, regardless of their life situation. And our aim is to open the door to learning for those - often with social, emotional and mental health needs - who have been excluded or marginalised.

Our academy will provide a safe, nurturing environment for 50 secondary-age students who have been unable to sustain a place in mainstream education. By prioritising academic achievement and introducing behaviour interventions and therapeutic support where necessary, it will enable them to re-integrate at the same key stage as their peers, and go on to access opportunities into employment and further education.

Ofsted recently judged Lodestar Academy to be a good school:
"The welfare of pupils and their families is at the heart of The Lodestar Academy."

Arranging a visit to The Lodestar Academy

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email tracy.pocock@tsatrust.org.uk.

School location

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed

Find more school jobs in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay