Catering Assistant/Kitchen Porter

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 12.5 hours, 38 weeks (term time only)

Working pattern: 11.30am – 2pm, Monday to Friday

Salary: Pathway 1, £6,881 - £6,989 (FTE £24,413 - £24,796)

Site: Gladstone Primary Academy

Closing date:  9am on 4^th February

Start date:  ASAP

Please note the trust may decide to withdraw the advert before the closing date or interview suitable candidates prior to the advert closing.  

Are you enthusiastic about food service and creating a warm, welcoming environment for our students?

Would you like to be part of an award winning catering team?

Are you reliable, flexible and committed to being a valuable team member?

If so, we’d love to hear from you.

Your role:

As our Catering Assistant/Kitchen Porter, you will be a key part of a friendly, supportive and hard‑working kitchen team dedicated to providing nutritious, high‑quality meals for our pupils. Your role will be varied and hands‑on, including helping with food preparation, maintaining high standards of cleanliness, supporting meal service and ensuring the kitchen remains safe, organised and welcoming. You will also assist with transporting food between sites, which is why experience of working in a busy kitchen environment and the ability to confidently drive an automatic van is essential. The role requires moving heavy items and working efficiently in a fast‑paced setting.

You will bring a positive attitude, reliability and a genuine commitment to teamwork. Experience in a catering or kitchen environment is required, along with good communication skills, a readiness to learn new routines and the motivation to work to high standards every day. In return, you’ll gain the satisfaction of knowing your work directly contributes to pupils having healthy, enjoyable meals that support their learning.

As this role involves direct interaction with the public, it is essential that the candidate meets the Fluency Duty requirements as outlined in the Immigration Act 2016. The successful candidate must demonstrate fluency in English to ensure effective communication with our staff, parents and pupils.

About us:

Gladstone Primary Academy welcoming school community that values your expertise.  In this role, you will also be part of an award-winning catering team committed to developing our team members through a safe and relaxed environment.  Sustainability is important to us and we continue to source our produce from local suppliers and reduce paper and plastic waste.  In support of student learning, we help to develop food awareness initiatives with competitions, food sampling, menu planning and cookery demonstrations. You’ll have the opportunity to grow professionally, work with a supportive team, and take pride in providing meals that fuel learning and wellbeing. We offer a friendly environment where your ideas matter, and where perseverance and aspiration are celebrated.

Why work for us?:

Join Thomas Deacon Education Trust and be part of a dedicated team committed to "working together to transform lives through education.”  To learn more about the benefits we have on offer, check out our video here: Employee Benefits

At TDET, 95% of our new employees highly rate our induction programme. Benefit from the unwavering support of our dedicated staff, ensuring you feel welcomed and well-prepared from day one.  According to our 2025 staff survey, 91% of staff are proud to work for TDET!

Ready to transform lives through education?  Apply now and make a difference!

TDET - Working together to transform lives through education

Thomas Deacon Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The Academy will require the successful candidate to provide satisfactory references and undertake an Enhanced Check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

At Thomas Deacon Education Trust, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all. We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Join us in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where all contributions are valued.

If you have any questions regarding this post, please contact the HR Team on e-mail at  hrteam@tdet.education