Catering Assistant

Job Title:

Catering Assistant

Employer:

Outcomes First Group

Location:

Copper Fields School, Gunnislake, PL18 9EH

Salary: £15,767.50 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours:

25 hours per week | Monday to Friday

Contract:

Permanent, Term Time plus 3 weeks

Start:
January 2026

UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship

As a Catering Assistant, you’ll play an important part in creating a positive, healthy and welcoming lunchtime experience for our pupils. You’ll help prepare, cook and serve nutritious meals, ensuring dietary needs are met and every child is supported to enjoy a safe, calm and happy lunchtime. Working as part of our friendly kitchen team, you’ll maintain high standards of cleanliness, follow food hygiene and safety regulations, and help keep the kitchen running smoothly each day.

You’ll also interact with pupils, offering guidance and encouragement as they make meal choices, while helping to uphold the school’s expectations for behaviour and wellbeing.

• Support with the preparation, cooking and serving of meals, including any special dietary requirements.
• Maintain excellent standards of cleanliness in the kitchen, equipment and dining areas.
• Assist with clearing and cleaning after service.
• Provide cover during staff absences to help ensure continuity of service.
• Monitor food supplies, report any shortages and record cancellations or changes to meal numbers.
• Uphold all health, safety and food hygiene regulations at all times.
• Assist with lunchtime supervision to ensure pupils are safe and supported during meals.
• Share any significant behaviour observations with teaching staff to help maintain a positive school environment.

• Follow safe working practices and maintain a safe, hygienic environment.
• Work in line with the school’s policies, values and commitment to equal opportunities.
• Maintain high standards of work in line with current legislation and school procedures.
• Attend training and team meetings as required.
• Communicate effectively in English to support pupils, staff and the wider school community.

Copper Fields School provides full-time specialist co‑education for up to 60 pupils aged 4‑16, who have a primary need of Autism Spectrum, communication and language and often additional needs. Our vision to empower our learners to achieve their best outcomes is achieved through high quality education, in preparation for life. Our wonderful setting in Gunnislake facilitates a nurturing approach for students who have found the mainstream environment unable to meet their needs and a barrier to them being the best they can be.

We pride ourselves on our culture of everyone being a unique individual. Together we achieve, through recognising and harnessing our strengths. We aim to unearth hidden talents and interests, inspire and empower. For over 19 years, Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults.

As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care. 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.

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others. We are committed to 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.

• Entry level

• Full‑time

• Management and Manufacturing

• Education

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance…