The Role
20 hours per week (Term time plus 4 weeks)
Start date: As soon as possible
We are currently looking for a Catering Assistant to join our team and contribute towards the delivery of our first-class food service.
Our purpose is to provide an exceptional education on the Isle of Wight, enabling our boarding and day pupils to flourish in mind, body and soul. We nurture pupils to make a positive difference and embrace the opportunities of the wider world.
In this role, you will be part of our busy Catering team working across the school and in our on site café, serving pupils, staff and visitors with fresh and nutritious food with a varied menu that changes daily.
Routine tasks such as setting up the service counters, serving food and cleaning down the service area and dining hall are key components of the job. Assisting with the cleaning of utensils, crockery and cutlery will also be necessary to support the smooth running of the overall dining experience. As you would expect in a role like this, being approachable for our customers whilst working in an efficient and tidy manner is essential.
Key responsibilities
Food Preparation & Service
● Assist with the preparation of simple food items (e.g. sandwiches, salads, basic cooking tasks).
● Serve meals to pupils, staff, and visitors in a friendly and professional manner.
● Ensure food is presented attractively and portioned correctly.
● Replenish food counters and service areas as required during service.
● Assisting with deliveries of catering supplies to areas of the school site.
Multi-Site Catering Support
● Work flexibly across a range of on-site catering outlets, including: Nursery, Pre-Prep School, Main Dining Room, and on-site Café.
● Adapt service style and approach to suit different age groups and service environments.
● Support smooth service delivery across all areas of the school site.
Kitchen, Cleaning & Hygiene
● Maintain a clean, tidy, and safe working environment in line with food hygiene regulations.
● Carry out washing-up duties across all catering areas, including the use of dishwashers and manual cleaning of kitchen equipment, utensils, and service items.
● Carry out washing up and cleaning duties, including equipment and surfaces.
● Follow all Health & Safety and Food Safety procedures (including HACCP principles).
● Assist with stock rotation and storage, ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
● Wear Personal Protective Equipment, as required, when carrying out specific duties.
Customer Service
● Provide a welcoming and helpful service to all customers.
● Respond to basic queries and escalate issues to senior staff where necessary.
● Support a positive dining environment within the school.
● Rigorously manage allergen information and dietary requirements (e.g. nut-free, halal, vegan).
● Contribute to a positive dining and café environment within the school.
Till Cover & Café Operations
● Operate cashless tills during service periods, processing card and contactless payments accurately.
● Provide excellent customer service within the on-site school café.
● Prepare and serve café items such as drinks, snacks, and light meals.
● Maintain cleanliness and high presentation standards within the café area.
● Follow procedures for digital transactions and reporting as required.
Operational Support
● Assist with the set-up and clear-down of dining areas and hospitality events.
● Support catering provision for school functions, meetings, sports teas, parents' evenings, and internal and external events.
● Work collaboratively with the wider catering and school team.
Working Pattern
● Primary working hours are during school term time, holiday club and lets cover, five days out of seven.
● Flexibility is required to work on a rota basis during school holidays, supporting the boarding provision, hospitality and events, holiday clubs and other school activities.
Person Specification - Essential
● Basic understanding of food hygiene and safety (training can be provided).
● Confidence using cashless till systems and handling digital payments.
● Ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
● Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
● Reliable, punctual, and flexible approach to work.
● Ability to work flexibly across multiple locations on-site.
Desirable
● Previous experience in a catering, hospitality, retail, or café environment.
● Experience using EPOS or similar cashless till systems.
● Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 1 or 2).
● Experience working in a school or similar setting.
What We Offer
● A supportive and friendly working environment.
● Training and development opportunities.
● Opportunity to be part of a vibrant school community.
● Meals are provided during term time.
● Onsite parking.
Personal Attributes
- Work with integrity and be able to connect with pupils, parents and staff.
- Committed to being involved in the life of a busy school.
- High personal and professional standards.
- Empathetic with the values and aims of the School.
How to apply
This role is offered at 20 hours per week, working 39 weeks throughout the year (predominantly term time). The Catering team operates on a rota basis, working 5 days out of 7. The boarding environment creates the need for us to work 7 days per week, to include evenings and weekends, and the rota system allows us to create a fair division of the work.
We enjoy a supportive culture at Ryde and professional development is actively encouraged. All staff and pupils are asked to strive to embody the School Motto of 'Ut Prosim' (to be of service) and the School values of Ambition, Responsibility, Courage and Respect in their work and interactions.
All applications must include the names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least two referees including the current employer. To satisfy the requirements for safer recruitment, we need to ask you for your full employment record. Details of any gaps between jobs or between finishing education and employment must be provided. Hard copy application forms may also be collected from our Reception in Queen’s Road. Postal and electronic applications are both welcome, and to be addressed to; Mrs Mandy Parry, HR Administrator, Ryde School, Queen’s Road, Ryde PO33 3BE. Email: MJP@rydeschool.net
Applications are handled on an ongoing basis, early applications are therefore welcomed and encouraged as Ryde School reserves the right to withdraw this job advert should a suitable candidate be found.
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