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Job description

Readvertised Temporary Catering Assistant (Maternity/Part-time/Term-time) Job Purpose: To actively participate in the daily operation of the Catering Unit under the direction of the Unit Catering Supervisor to provide an efficient hygienic service, to achieve customer satisfaction and to promote sales within the unit. Please see school website for full details/application pack, including advert, application form, monitoring form, job description, person specification and guidance notes.

Responsibilities

• The basic preparation of food and beverages including the preparation of vegetables and snacks using appropriate equipment.
• Simple cooking including the reconstitution of prepared food.
• Organisation and control of food service points.
• To carry out cashless/swipe card till operation duties.
• The transferring and serving of meals and snacks including the transfer of meals and orders from the kitchen to other areas of the school.
• Assisting with the promotion of meals to pupils, parents and principal
• Preparation of the dining area: (a) The setting out of dining room tables, chairs, benches and serving points as required by the meals service. (b) The setting of tables, laying out of cutlery, water jugs etc.
• General kitchen and dining room duties including washing up, clearing away equipment including tables, chairs and benches. The cleaning of the kitchen/servery, dining room and equipment including floors and walls.
• Recording of temperatures for control purposes as required.
• Securing of premises as required.
• Duties as delegated in connection with service provision.
• Any other duties which may be delegated to school meals staff due to close of additional lunchtime eating areas during the month of June e.g. supervising, light housekeeping etc.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Qualifications, Attainments:
• Demonstrate a willingness to undertake and successfully complete Food Safety, Health & Safety and any other mandatory training required for the post.
• Experience and Knowledge:
• Previous catering experience.
• Awareness of food hygiene and food safety requirements relevant to a catering environment.
• Awareness of the importance of allergen control and food safety procedures.
• Knowledge of the importance of maintaining high standards of cleanliness and personal hygiene.
• Understanding of the need to comply with health and safety requirements.
• Awareness of the importance of providing a high-quality customer service.
• Skills, Abilities:
• Ability to prepare, present and serve food to the required standards.
• Ability to follow instructions and work to established procedures.
• Ability to maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, pupils, and visitors.
• Ability to undertake duties involving standing, lifting, carrying and other physical activities associated with a busy catering environment.
• Ability to provide a courteous and customer-focused service to pupils, staff, and visitors.
• Ability to complete basic records accurately and legibly.
• Ability to use catering equipment safely and in accordance with training and procedures.
• Personal Qualities:
• Flexible and willing to undertake a range of duties to meet the operational needs of the catering service.
• Can demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Ability to work constructively and professionally within a school environment.

Desirable Skills

• Qualifications, Attainments:
• Hold a Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering (or equivalent recognised Food Hygiene qualification).
• Experience, Knowledge:
• Experience of working in a school, educational, or public sector catering environment.
• Experience of preparing and serving food in a busy catering environment.
• Experience of operating commercial catering equipment.
• Experience of cash handling or operating electronic payment systems.

Further Information

Location: Thornhill College, Culmore Road, Derry/Londonderry. Salary: NJC Scale Point 5 £14.0783 per hour (£26,427 per annum/pro-rata). Work Time: 3.25 hours per day/16.25 hours per week. 10.45am - 2.30pm (including 30 minute lunch break), days to be confirmed. Please click Apply Direct to apply and visit the vacancies section. Please see school website for full details/application pack, including advert, application form/monitoring form, job description, person specification and guidance notes. Closing date for return of completed application and monitoring forms: 12 noon on Monday 16 November 2026. Electronically to thornhillposts144@c2ken.net Please note 20 November/provisional interview date for those candidates shortlisted. Salary scale stated above is full time equivalent. This post is part-time/term-time/pro rata. The criteria in the Person Specification under Qualifications/Attainments and Experience/Knowledge constitute the shortlisting criteria. The remaining criteria under Skills and Personal Qualities will be assessed at interview. Shortlisting Statement The Board of Governors reserves the right to enhance the criteria for shortlisting purposes should this be necessary to facilitate the selection process. Evidence may be drawn from the application form and any other part of the selection process.