Catering Assistant

• Ipswich School
• Address: Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3SG
• Salary: £9,189 per annum
• Hours: Part time, term time only *                 
• Contract: Permanent. Required from 1 September 2026        
• Reference: 5344

*Mainly term time with 120 additional hours to work in school holidays to support residential camps.

The role

Ipswich School is seeking a reliable and hardworking Catering Assistant to join our dedicated catering team. This is a vital role supporting our provision of high-quality, nutritious meals to pupils and staff. You will play a key part in ensuring our catering facilities are clean, efficient, and welcoming, and that pupils enjoy a safe, hygienic and pleasant mealtime experience.

Responsible to 
The Catering Assistant will be responsible to the Hospitality and Catering Personnel Manager, Catering Operations Manager, and Head Chef.

Purpose of job 

The Catering Assistant will be working on a rota completing a variety of tasks including assisting in the preparation and serving of meals, supporting with the cleaning and sanitising of dining and kitchen areas, and ensuring the safe and efficient use of dishwashing equipment. A key focus of the role will be serving food to children and promoting hygiene and cleanliness throughout the catering environment.

Principle duties:

• serve nutritious meals to pupils and staff during service, in a friendly and professional manner

• provide support to the chefs and kitchen team by ensuring crockery, cutlery, utensils, and kitchen equipment are washed, sanitised, and stored correctly using the dishwasher or manual methods

• set up and clear down dining areas, including sanitising tables and high-touch surfaces in line with hygiene protocols

• ensure food is served safely, following relevant dietary, allergy and portion control guidelines

• maintain a clean and hygienic working environment, including sweeping and mopping floors, emptying bins, and cleaning kitchen surfaces and equipment

• dispose of waste appropriately, following the school’s recycling and hygiene policies

• be polite and helpful to pupils, staff and visitors, creating a positive dining environment

• attend required training, including safeguarding and food hygiene.

Hygiene, health and safety:

• wear the uniform/personal protective clothing issued as appropriate, and as directed by the Catering Managers

• work safely and efficiently at all times, following C.O.S.H.H. and Health and Safety guidelines when using cleaning products

• jewellery should not be worn

• adhere to responsibilities under the School’s Health, Safety and Welfare Policy

• only use chemicals that are in the correct bottles and ensure they are used correctly.

Other duties: 

• attend basic hygiene and safeguarding children training as required.

This list is not exhaustive, and duties may be changed or added to as determined from time to time.

Person specification: You should have the following attributes:

• good interpersonal and team working skills 

• reliability and punctuality

• flexibility to provide cover at short notice.
   

Hours of work, pay and benefits 

• this is a permanent, part-time post which is subject to a probationary period of 3 months

• the hours of work for Ipswich School term time (35 weeks per annum) as follows: Monday - Friday 12 pm - 3pm (3 hours), this is a total of 15 hours per week during Ipswich School term time

• additional holiday camp hours: The role will include additional hours during school holiday periods to support the delivery of holiday camps. A total of 120 hours will be required during the holiday periods. These hours will be arranged as required and directed by the Catering Operations Manager and may include morning, evening, and weekend work. Flexibility to support these additional requirements is desirable

• one or two additional days will be required before the start and after the end of each term to undertake deep cleaning, as directed

• please note you are always expected to work on the two days prior to the start of the Michaelmas (Autumn) term each year, and on the INSET day (currently in February each year). These days are staff INSET days for training and development activities, and they are included in the definition of Ipswich School term time

• additional hours may be required from time to time (with additional pay)

• the salary for the hours as described is £9,189.33 per annum. Salaries are reviewed annually in line with changes to the National Living Wage

• the annual salary quoted includes statutory holiday pay. Annual leave may only be taken outside of Ipswich School term times 

• salaries are paid monthly in arrears by BACS on the last working day of each month throughout the year. Pay is reviewed, but not necessarily increased, annually

• staff are able to use the school’s swimming pool and fitness gym (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations)

• after 3 months’ service you will be entitled to join a defined contribution pension scheme, and you will receive 3x death in service cover.

To apply, please visit our website

Completed application forms should be posted to The Director of HR, Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, IP1 3SG or emailed to [email protected] by the closing date below.

Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format, please contact us.

Candidates shortlisted for interview will be advised as soon as possible after the closing date and interviews are likely to take place in the week commencing 17 August 2026.

                               
Please note

Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position. The Ipswich School Policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders and the Code of Practice relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service are available on request. 

Ipswich School’s employees are responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people they are responsible for or come into contact with. The post holder must adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding Children Policy at all times. If, in the course of carrying out his/her duties the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school she/he must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Ipswich School’s employees are expected to attend training in safeguarding children as directed.

Ipswich School operates a No Smoking Policy. Strict observance of this Policy is a condition of employment at the school as is compliance with the statutory restriction on smoking in public places.