Kitchen Assistant

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Job Title: Kitchen Assistant
Location: Belmont Secondary School, Rawtenstall, BB4 6RX
Salary: £13,000.90 per annum / £13.25 per hour
Hours: 22 hours per week Monday to Friday TBC
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
Start : March 2026
UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

All applications must be completed IN FULL.

Make a Real Difference Every Day

At Belmont Schools, we believe that mealtimes matter. They provide structure, comfort, and a sense of routine for our pupils - many of whom have Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

We're looking for a Kitchen Assistant to join our friendly and committed team, supporting pupils across both Belmont Secondary and Belmont Primary Schools. This is a rewarding role where your work has a direct and positive impact on pupils' daily school experience.

About the Role

This is far more than a traditional kitchen role. As a Kitchen Assistant, you'll be a key part of pupils' daily experience, supporting both their wellbeing and enjoyment of school life.

Working alongside the Kitchen Manager, you will:

• Prepare and serve nutritious, well-balanced meals
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety
• Ensure dietary and allergen requirements are carefully met
• Support lunchtime supervision, helping create a calm, friendly, and welcoming dining environment

Every smile, every calm lunchtime, and every plate served contributes to a nurturing environment where pupils can thrive.

Who we are looking for

We're looking for someone who is friendly, reliable, and passionate about working in a school environment. You'll ideally have:

• Relevant catering or hospitality qualifications (e.g. City & Guilds or NVQ)
• A Level 2 Food Safety Certificate
• Confidence and fluency in spoken English
• A positive, enthusiastic approach and a genuine interest in working with children
• The ability to work well as part of a team while following health and safety procedures

About the School

Belmont Secondary School is an independent specialist school for boys aged 11-18 with SEMH needs.

We provide a trauma-informed, nurturing environment where every pupil feels safe and supported. Small classes, personalised pathways, and on-site therapeutic support help pupils build confidence, resilience, and life skills. Our curriculum combines academic, vocational, and creative opportunities to prepare pupils for a successful future.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people's lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.