Catering Assistant

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are looking for someone who:

• Enjoys being part of a busy, supportive team
• Takes pride in doing things properly and safely
• Has a positive, flexible and can-do attitude
• Understands the importance of kindness and teamwork in schools
• Can build warm, professional relationships with children and colleagues
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

What the school offers its staff

In return, we offer:

• A welcoming and supportive school community
• Training and development opportunities
• A role where your contribution genuinely matters every single day
• The chance to work within a Trust that values belonging, opportunity and community

Further details about the role

Catering Assistant – Bowhill Primary School

£24,796, pro rata to £7,020 per annum for 12.5 hours per week, term time only. Permanent

Please note you must be a driver and have access to your own car

Food has a way of making children feel cared for. A warm meal. A welcoming smile. A calm, happy dining hall where every child feels seen and included.

We are looking for a Catering Assistant to join our friendly team and help create positive lunchtime experiences for our pupils across our Trust schools. This is more than preparing and serving food - it’s about being part of a school community where children feel they belong.

Working together, we create an exceptional education for every child - one where they feel connected, valued and full of possibility. Our values of being ambitious, kind and courageous shape everything we do, including the care we show through everyday moments.

If you are hardworking, reliable, enjoy working with people and take pride in creating a clean, welcoming environment, we would love to hear from you.

The role will involve:

• Preparing and serving fresh food for pupils during lunchtime
• Creating a positive and welcoming dining experience
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and food safety
• Supporting with kitchen cleaning and daily operational checks
• Working both independently and as part of a wider catering team
• Helping ensure our kitchens are safe, organised and efficient
• Supporting across Trust primary schools when required

We are looking for someone who:

• Enjoys being part of a busy, supportive team
• Takes pride in doing things properly and safely
• Has a positive, flexible and can-do attitude
• Understands the importance of kindness and teamwork in schools
• Can build warm, professional relationships with children and colleagues
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

In return, we offer:

• A welcoming and supportive school community
• Training and development opportunities
• A role where your contribution genuinely matters every single day
• The chance to work within a Trust that values belonging, opportunity and community

Every role in our schools helps shape a child’s experience of education. Sometimes the smallest moments - a smile, encouragement, consistency or care - can have the biggest impact.

Become part of our journey by completing our application form and returning it to View email address on findajob.dwp.gov.uk if you would like to apply. Please see our Catering Assistant Job Description for further information.

Closing Date: 29th May 2026Interview Date: 9th June 2026

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, this role involves directly working with children and significant contact with children, and therefore we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for this post prior to commencement. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer.

If successfully shortlisted the HR Department will also be conducting an individual online search including social media platforms of your ‘name, education and employment’, to demonstrate due diligence following ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance. The search will not form part of the actual shortlisting process and any concerns arising from the search will be discussed directly with you.

Commitment to safeguarding

Exeter Learning Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We encourage you to read our Safeguarding Policy before applying. We will ask for references and conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates. An enhanced DBS check is required for all successful candidates.