Kitchen / Catering Assistant

Week Commencing: September 2026

Salary Scale: Scale 2 (Point 3, £28,617 – Pt 4 £29,025 Full time) Prorated salary based on 20 hours per week term time only is likely to be between approx. £13,288 and £13,477, (dependant on experience, week per year and continuous service). 

Working 4 hours per day, term time only on a shift pattern likely to be either 10.30 -2.30pm, 7.30-11.30am or 8am to 12pm

Are you looking for an exciting & rewarding new role and want to make a difference to the lives of young people?

We are looking for motivated and passionate Kitchen Assistants who will be at the heart of our school, working as part of our catering team delivering an outstanding food provision across the school. You will join a team that takes a real pride in what they do and who are passionate about providing outstanding service. To meet the needs of the whole school community.

This role will be primarily based at Barking Abbey, however you will be part of a wider partnership that includes Eastbrook School, you may be required from time to time to provide support across any of our schools.

Opportunity to work in the holidays may be agreed subject to the needs of the school and individual appointed for training and preparation for the new terms, this would be paid as overtime. Opportunity to also undertake additional paid hours to support events and cover team absences.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Preparing delicious, high-quality food that delights our students & staff

• Maintaining a high standard of cleanliness of the kitchen and surrounding areas

• Ensuring the correct use of all machinery and equipment at all times

• Assisting with the loading or unloading of deliveries and storing away

• Representing the school and maintaining a positive brand image

• Complying with Food Handling & Hygiene standards

• Complying with Health & Safety regulations

The ideal candidate will:

• Demonstrate an ability to manage pressure, prioritise tasks and communicate effectively at all levels

• Be an excellent team player

• Have a committed and organised approach

• Have a desire to succeed in your role

• Possess the ability to work under pressure

• Be flexible to work occasional out of hours school events, you will be paid for working these

• Demonstrate Exceptional timekeeping and reliability

Benefits:

• A free meal on duty

• On site parking

• Professional Development opportunities

• A supportive and friendly work environment

Barking Abbey is a heavily over-subscribed dual campus secondary school in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, with a well-deserved reputation for academic excellence and a supportive professional environment.

The school is located less than 10 minutes walk from Upney tube and 15 minutes from Barking mainline station.

Barking Abbey celebrates its diversity, and we positively welcome applications from all sections of the community. If you are interested in making a difference in young people’s lives whatever your background or history please apply.

In return we offer:

• A supportive and encouraging staff team

• The opportunity to access a wide range of CPD opportunities within and beyond school

• A school which understands the importance of staff well-being and workload management

• A positive ethos with excellent behaviour reinforced by highly visible SLT and centralised behaviour systems

“Pupils learn and achieve very well... Pupils across both sites are happy and safe at Barking Abbey School… Pupils are motivated to work hard and enjoy positive working relationships with staff... Students new to the Sixth Form commented on how welcoming, inclusive and diverse the community is… Leaders prioritise aspiration and ambition.” (Ofsted, December 2022)

Please follow the links below to find out more information about what it is like to work at Barking Abbey and Eastbrook School:

www.barkingabbeyschool.co.uk
www.eastbrookschool.org

Barking Abbey is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and a comprehensive screening process, including Disclosure check, will be undertaken on all successful applicants.