Catering Assistant (Ark Alexandra Academy)

Job introduction

Salary: £23,723 - £24,027 per annum pro rata
Contract type: Permanent, term time
Working pattern: Part-time

Closing date: 24 February 2025, Midnight

How to apply: Please visit https://arkalexandra.org/jobs/vacancies to complete an online application form.

Who to contact if you have a query: If you have any questions about the role, please email ALEHR@arkalexandra.org

About the role

Start date: As soon as possible

Location: Ark Alexandra Academy, Hastings, East Sussex

Salary: Ark Outside London Support Scale 2, Pay Points 2-3: £23,723 to £24,027 (pro rata)

Actual Salary: £20,347.62 - £20,608.37

Hours: Part-time – 35 hours per week, 7:30am – 2:30pm, term time only plus 1 extra week to be worked in the school holidays (40 weeks per year)

Contract: Permanent

The school reserves the right to withdraw this advert if a suitable candidate is appointed before the closing date. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early for this role to avoid disappointment.

This is a rare opportunity to join our hard-working, dedicated catering team in our growing academy. As a catering assistant you will be based at one of our two campuses under the direction of a Catering Supervisor. This is a term time only position, which means you will only work 39 weeks of the year, plus one extra week in the school holidays as directed by your manager. Pay is spread evenly over the year so you would never have a month without money.

Our standards are high and meals are prepared daily from fresh ingredients. We need someone who can work quickly and safely, be part of a team and has the confidence to interact with staff and students. We will show the successful applicant how to operate our cashless tills and any other items of catering equipment.

For more information please read the job description and person specification available for download.

As the ideal candidate you will:

• Have experience of working in a busy kitchen
• Be available to work the hours of 7.30am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday
• Have a resilient character and a strong personal drive
• Be able to take ownership of tasks and complete to a high standard
• Have a health & safety and/or food hygiene qualification but it’s not essential
• Be a team player that can work collaboratively as well as using your own initiative
• Be flexible in covering other team members when required, even if it’s on the other campus
• Be committed to Ark’s ethos of high expectations and no excuses

Our school:

We are aiming to create one of the top performing schools in the UK right here in Hastings.

Ark Alexandra Academy is a popular and oversubscribed secondary school in Hastings. We have grown from 10 to 12 form entry and operate a ‘One School, Two Campus’ model, which brings with it unique opportunities for career growth and development. The school is on an exciting and rapid journey of improvement under a new leadership team, which is underpinned by research and best practice. We place a primacy on traditional values: discipline, courtesy and respect. Our students are smart and ready to learn and thrive. We are a strict no mobile phone school.  

As part of the Ark network, Ark Alexandra Academy has access to the dedicated support of a highly successful MAT with a well-regarded CPD offer for staff at all levels.

In addition, the school is part of the Hastings DfE Education Investment Area giving an

increased focus on the region, potential funding, and genuine opportunities for collaboration between schools.

What we offer: 

• A friendly but professional working environment
• Twice as many training days as standard and network-wide events with Ark colleagues
• Opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the network 
• Local Government Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution
• Unique opportunities for growth and development
• Access to Ark Rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.

How to apply:

Please click 'apply' on the website you are visiting or visit https://arkalexandra.org/jobs/vacancies to complete an online application form.

Please note: we are unable to accept applications via CV. We will also be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this advert may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. Early application is strongly encouraged.

If you have any questions about the role, please email ALEHR@arkalexandra.org.

If you’re interested in further information about our school, please visit our website – www.arkalexandra.org

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please visit www.arkalexandra.org/vacancies, click the job you are interested in and click the link at the bottom of the advert.

Additional information

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.