Catering Assistant

Full Job Description

We put wellbeing first by giving our teams more time to recharge

Job Title:  Catering Assistant
Location:   Dibden Park School, Southampton SO45 5TD
Hours:       40 hours per week | Monday–Friday | 8.30am -4.30pm
Salary:      £23,638 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Are you someone who enjoys working in a lively environment, takes pride in creating nutritious meals, and loves making a positive difference to young people’s day? We’re looking for a Catering Assistant to join our friendly school kitchen team and help deliver a warm, welcoming lunchtime experience for our pupils.

As a Catering Assistant, you’ll play a key part in preparing, cooking, and serving healthy school meals. You’ll support the Kitchen Manager in the day‑to‑day running of the kitchen and help create a happy, safe, and enjoyable dining environment for our students.

What you will be doing

• Preparing, cooking, and serving meals to pupils and staff, including catering for special dietary needs
• Helping maintain a clean, safe, and hygienic kitchen and dining area
• Ensuring food supplies are well‑stocked and reporting any shortages or issues
• Supporting lunchtime supervision to ensure smooth, timely service
• Observing pupil behaviour and passing on any concerns to teaching staff
• Keeping accurate records and reporting cancellations or additional meal requirements
• Following all food hygiene, health & safety, and school policies
• Attending training and team meetings to support your development

What we're looking for

• Level 2 Food Safety Certificate or equivalent required
• A positive, can‑do attitude and a genuine interest in supporting young people
• A team player who takes pride in maintaining high standards
• Someone who enjoys a fast‑paced, practical role
• Reliability, enthusiasm, and a commitment to safe working practices
• Driving licence required

About Us

Dibden Park School is a brand-new independent specialist school in Southampton, supporting pupils with SEMH needs, communication difficulties, and associated complex behaviours. The school provides a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where small classes and personalised support help every pupil thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our broad and purposeful curriculum combines formal learning with life skills and enrichment activities to develop confidence, independence, and resilience. Pupils benefit from staff who understand their individual needs and remove barriers to engagement. Working closely with families, the school fosters strong relationships and a supportive community. Dibden Park empowers every pupil to achieve their full potential and prepare for life beyond school.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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