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Catering Assistant

ARK UK PROGRAMMES
29,801 per year (pro rata)
London
Full-time
9th June 2026
Listed today

  • About The Role

  • Contract:PermanentWorking Pattern:Monday to Friday, 27.5 hours, flexible working hours as the service demands dictate, 39 weeks per year (term time only)Salary:Ark Support scale 2 point 2 £29,801 – Prorated for term time only.

    We are currently recruiting for a Catering Assistant to join our catering team

    from 2 September 2026. You will assist the delivery of a consistent, high-quality meal service in our student canteen and staff/sixth form café. The role will include all aspects of food preparation, food service, kitchen hygiene and other duties associated with the running of the kitchen and cafe.

    The successful candidate will:

    • Have experience of working in a busy kitchen
    • Have experience of catering in large quantities within a school setting, desirable
    • Possess a professional outlook
    • Be a team player who can work collaboratively as well as using own initiative
    • Be friendly, calm and approachable, even under pressure
    • Have a robust awareness of keeping children safe, noticing safeguarding and welfare concerns, and an understanding of how and when to take appropriate action

    If you would like to discuss this opportunity or for any queries, please contact Julie Rickard at j.rickard@arkputneyacademy.org or tel: 020 8394 5612.

  • Benefits

    • Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.
    • Generous pension scheme.
    • Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers
    • Interest-free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle.
    • Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.
    Find out more about the benefits of working for Ark at https://arkonline.org/careers/why-work-with-us/ .

  • About Us

  • Ark Putney Academy opened in September 2012 as part of the Ark network in the London Borough of Wandsworth. We’re a non-selective, mixed secondary school with 750 students, ranging from year 7 through to sixth form.

    We offer a rich curriculum emphasising core academic subjects, whilst providing the facilities, time and specialist staff to ensure students develop across a range of subjects. Music is at the heart of our school, with every student learning an instrument and all secondary students having the chance to be part of our band programme.

    We adopt a holistic view to educating young people. Through our commitment to inclusion, equality and attainment, we prepare every student to be a pillar of any community.

    We’ve also been celebrating a successful year so far with extremely strong GCSE results. This reflects our excellent teaching and the dedication of our staff both to the students and each other.

    Inour 2022 Ofsted inspection we were rated ‘Good’ in every categorywith real strengths in teaching and learning, curriculum breadth and personal development.Visitarkputney.org/jobsto learn more about us and see our current vacancies.Diversity and inclusion:

    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. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this

    link.Safeguarding statement:

    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 click this

    link.Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.