Kitchen Assistant

Pentland Field School, Ickenham, UB10 8TS

30 hours per week, term time only plus 5 training days

Monday - Friday: 8.15am-14.15pm

Salary range: Scale 3 Point 5-6 £21,165 - £21,467

We are proud to belong to Pentland Field School; a community that works together to achieve the very best for our children.

Pentland Field School is an all-through school that meets the educational needs of around 175 children and young adults aged 4-19 with a range of learning disabilities, including those who may be autistic and those who have physical or sensory needs.

Pentland Field School, a member of the Eden Academy Trust, is a good school, making a difference for the pupils we work with. We help them make progress in all areas of life, become young adults who know their own value, and become active members of the communities in which they live. Pupils work in small classes (average 10 pupils) with supportive and skilled learning support assistants and benefit from an onsite therapy team.

We are looking to appoint a reliable, enthusiastic and flexible Kitchen Assistant to join our friendly school catering team at Pentland Field School.

Working closely with the Head Chef, you will support the preparation, cooking and service of nutritious meals for pupils and staff, helping to ensure a safe, clean and welcoming dining environment. This is a hands-on role that plays an important part in the daily life of the school. You will have involvement in all parts of the kitchen and catering including menu design, health and safety, ordering/stock taking and processing online meal requests.

The successful candidate will:

• Support the smooth running of the school kitchen and food service
• Assist with food preparation, cooking and serving in line with food hygiene and health & safety regulations
• Be proactive in supporting pupils’ dietary and allergy requirements
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene across all catering areas and equipment
• Build positive relationships with pupils, including those completing work experience in the kitchen
• Support occasional catering for events and special functions, which may be outside normal working hours
• Be a highly effective communicator, ensuring good, positive relationships with all staff members.

We are looking for someone who is:

• A strong team player with a positive, can-do attitude
• Organised, adaptable and able to work efficiently in a busy environment
• Committed to maintaining excellent standards of food safety, hygiene and customer care
• Willing to undertake training and contribute to their own professional development

This is a rewarding opportunity to be part of a supportive school community and make a meaningful contribution to students’ daily wellbeing.

You can find out more about our school here.

We can offer you:

• a warm, friendly and approachable senior leadership team
• a committed and knowledgeable staff community who are willing to share their knowledge and skills with anyone who has a desire to learn
• a comprehensive induction programme for new staff, followed by access to continuous personal and professional development
• teaching teams who work collaboratively
• a commitment to the wellbeing of staff and pupils, including staff led wellbeing initiatives, and free access to a staff wellbeing app offering a range of wellbeing and medical guidance and care
• part of a dynamic special school multi-academy trust, with opportunities for career development
• excellent transport links, by road or public transport. The nearest underground station is a 5 min walk from the school, and you can be in central London within 20 minutes.  

Safeguarding Statement 

The Eden Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and other pre-employment checks. The Eden Academy Trust may, from time to time, require an employee to be relocated temporarily or permanently to one of its other schools. Any proposal to relocate will be carried out with due consultation and reasonable notice. 

Diversity Statement

At Eden Academy Trust, we value and actively embrace diversity. We believe that a diverse school community strengthens learning, enriches experiences, and helps every child thrive. Across our schools, we are committed to creating a culture where all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or background are respected, represented, and supported. We understand the role of inclusive education in preparing young people for a complex and diverse society. We challenge discrimination, recognise and celebrate difference, and work continuously to promote equity and opportunity in everything we do. Our commitment to inclusion runs through our curriculum, our staffing and leadership, our policies, and our day-to-day interactions. We strive to practise cultural humility, anti-racism, and equitable approaches that meet the needs of all our pupils.