Maiden Erlegh School in Reading is seeking to appoint a Catering Assistant to support the preparation, cooking and service of food as part of the school’s daily catering provision.

Working under the direction of the Catering Manager and Chef, you will help ensure that food service runs safely, efficiently and to expected standards. The role also includes supporting students in the dining area and helping to maintain a clean, safe and welcoming environment during the school day.

This is a practical and student-facing role that would suit someone who is organised, reliable and able to work well as part of a busy catering team.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation and service of food.
• Serve food in an efficient and friendly manner.
• Wash up kitchen equipment and tableware.
• Clean dining areas, kitchen premises and kitchen equipment.
• Follow catering procedures, hygiene expectations and cleaning routines accurately.
• Support the supervision of students in the dining area.
• Contribute to a calm, safe and orderly dining environment.
• Interact with students, colleagues and visitors in a respectful, friendly and professional manner.
• Work in line with school and Trust policies, procedures and expectations.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will have good interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact appropriately with students, colleagues and visitors. They will be able to organise their own time, prioritise tasks and maintain attention to detail when following procedures and maintaining standards.

You will ideally hold an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent and a Food Hygiene qualification, or be willing to undertake relevant training. You will also be able to support the preparation, cooking and service of food safely and efficiently, while helping to maintain clean, safe and hygienic kitchen, dining and equipment areas.

We are looking for someone who works cooperatively with colleagues and contributes to a calm, professional and student-focused catering service.

Maiden Erlegh School in Reading (MER)

Maiden Erlegh School in Reading is an ambitious, over-subscribed 11–16 secondary school in an urban context. The school is as committed to staff and student wellbeing as it is to delivering high-quality education.

Staff voice is central to shaping change and wellbeing priorities. The school benefits from excellent modern facilities and is proud of its vibrant, diverse student body who work hard and have high aspirations. A link to the school can be found here

About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5,000 students across eleven schools, including primary, secondary, special and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We Aim High, Be Inclusive and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all through collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities and our annual MET Staff Conference, a day that brings colleagues together to share best practice and learn from one another.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise, playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

Further information about working with us, and insight from colleagues across the Trust, can be found here on our website.

Benefits of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust

Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including :

Pension Scheme – Generous employer contributions through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme

Annual Leave – Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service

ME Day – One additional day’s leave each year for a significant personal event

Professional Development – Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities

Hybrid Working – Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles

Perkbox – Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points

Wellbeing and Health – Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)

Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 support and discount schemes

Mental Health First Aid Support

Recognition and Community – Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET

Employee Referral Scheme

Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.

Additional Information

If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references