A day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 3 - 18. Asking interesting questions since 1915.

A dynamic and “ rewarding place to work.

“

Kitchen Assistant

Monday to Friday 7.00–15.00/8.00-16.00 Term Time plus one week, 37 weeks per annum

Apply by 9am on Friday 17 July 2026

Hello! Thank you for taking an interest in our Kitchen Assistant role. Here at St Chris, we embrace the challenges of the modern world which necessitates the asking of interesting questions.

This job pack contains more details about what this position involves, personal specifications and total reward.

Kitchen Assistant

Salary
Point 20 of the Professional Services
salary scale FTE £24,454
Actual salary £20,304 Contract
Monday to Friday
7 am - 3 pm and 8 am - 4 pm
37.5 hours per week Term Time plus one week, 37 weeks per annum.
Location
On-site, Letchworth Garden City
Hertfordshire

Life at

St Chris is an independent day and boarding school for girls and boys aged 3 to 18 located in Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire. Our School was established in 1915 and, since then, has been working to do things differently if, and only if, it makes things better for our students.

There are currently around 500 pupils on roll and 200 staff.

St Chris seeks to be a continuously developing community of children and adults working together to enable everyone to achieve their best. All are valued as individuals and encouraged to develop curiosity, competence, judgement, kindness and courage. St Chris seeks to prepare pupils for happy and fulfilled lives in the service of others.

We treat young people as individuals, encouraging them to develop into capable, imaginative, responsible people with a zest for life.

To support the smooth and efficient
operation of the school kitchen
by assisting with food
preparation, maintaining high
standards of cleanliness, and ensuring full compliance with food safety and
allergen regulations. The role also
includes supporting food service in the Servery and school events as required, contributing to a positive experience for students and staff.

Line Management Responsibility This role will not have line management responsibility and will report to the Chef Manager.

66

St Chris looks at things differently and moves forward, especially with education and community.

Paul Operations Manager

What will the Kitchen Assistant do?

Key accountabilities and responsibilities of the role:

Assist with the preparation of ingredients and basic food production under the guidance of the chefs

Support the preparation of fresh, nutritious vegetarian meals in line with the school’s ethos

Maintain a clean, organised, and hygienic environment to a high standard at all times

Wash dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment, ensuring they are cleaned and stored correctly

Support the kitchen and servery team during busy service periods to ensure efficient operation

Assist with receiving, checking, and storing deliveries in accordance with food safety standards

Follow all food safety, hygiene, and HACCP procedures at all times

Demonstrate good allergen awareness and ensure safe handling, storage and labelling of food

Adhere to allergen control procedures to prevent cross-contamination

Assist in the servery when required, including food service and replenishment

Support the setup, service, and clearing of school events and functions

Dispose of waste appropriately and maintain cleanliness in waste and storage areas.

Additional Duties

Demonstrate a continual commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and youngpeople

To uphold St Chris policies to protect and safeguard pupils in order to secure their health, safety and wellbeing

Demonstrate a continual commitment to the promotion of equity, inclusion and diversity initiatives and the sharing of best practice in line with St Chris Equal Opportunities policy and procedures

Ensure the highest degree of confidentiality and data protection of all material.

This job description is not contractual or exhaustive but reflects the type and range of tasks, responsibilities and outcomes associated with the role. The post holder will be expected to also complete any tasks, as requested by their manager.

Person Specification

Qualifications, training and experience

Level 2 Food Safety Certificate

Allergen Awareness Training or equivalent

Previousexperience working in a kitchen or catering environment

Basic food preparation skills with the ability to follow instructions accurately

Good understanding of kitchen hygiene, food safety, and safe working practices

Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment whilemaintainingattention to detail

Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team

Flexible approach and willingness to support across different areas (kitchen, servery, events).

Skills and abilities

Demonstrates a reliable and consistent approach to work

Positive attitude with a willingness to learn and develop

Strong attention to cleanliness and hygiene

Commitment tomaintaininga safe and supportive environment for students and staff

Ability to work in a school environment with a focus on student health and wellbeing

Open to giving and receiving positive and developmental feedback

St Chris is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment

Good appreciation/knowledge of health and safety in the workplace, data protection principles and equal opportunities.

Benefits of Working at St Chris

“I love that everyones opinion is valued and considered.

Angela Operations Administrator

Welcome to St Chris

Schools are - in truth - nothing more than a collection of people working together, and it is on that understanding that all the incredible things achieved at St Chris come to be. So, ‘Hello’; and we mean that.

St Chris is a lot of things, all at the same time.

St Chris is an independent school for boys and girls aged 3-18.

St Chris is a community of young people from across the local area, the country, and the world.

St Chris is something unmistakably different from the moment you arrive.

St Chris is an outstanding, modern school with an important, progressive heritage.

Pension Scheme

Competitive pension scheme with 8% employer contribution plus an additional up to 4% personal sacrifice matched.

Westfield Health Plan

Complimentary opt-in Level 1 Westfield Health Plan with the option to scale up your plan with salary sacrifice.

Free Lunch

As part of a non-contractual agreement. Free vegetarian lunches are provided to staff during term time.

Facilities

Access to the school’s on-site swimming pool and gym.

A Brief History of St Chris

St. Chris Established

St Christopher School (then
known as the ‘Garden City
Theosophical School’) was
established in 1915 by headmaster,
Dr. Armstrong Smith, ready for a
new style of education.

Initial Meeting of the School Council

The Council consisted of 32 students and staff and met on a fortnightly basis to discuss and legislate on school matters. From December 1920, decisions made by the Council were later ratified by a meeting of the whole school.

Abolishing Uniform

Following a protest in the school magazine, the School Council discusses abolishing school uniforms for boys. The motion is, eventually, passed but no action is taken. During the war, clothing rationing and difficulties for parents meant that uniform was relaxed in 1938.

Swimming Pool Built

Parents contribute an initial £600 towards building the school swimming pool and pupils aim to raise £1000 themselves in 1961. The community pulls together to remove topsoil, excavate and build the pool. By 1968, the pool and changing rooms were completed.

Theatre and Sports Hall Open

A drama festival of eight plays marks the opening in 1982. Over the next decade, the enthusiasm of pupils allowed an average of five school productions each year, ranging from Twelfth Night and Three Sisters to Blood Wedding and Accrington Paris.

Present Day

Today, St Chris is a vibrant,
thriving community working
together. We believe in the
benefits of an informal approach
underpinned by the belief that all
voices, from the youngest member
of the nursery to the chair of
governors, should be listened to
and treated respectfully.

t’s work together.

Piqued your interest? We thought so.

At St Chris, we do things differently to benefit our young people and community. Looking for a new challenge? Looking to have an impact? Searching for a job that gets you thinking?

Apply for this role at www.stchris.co.uk/vacancies.

How to apply

To apply, please complete an application form (we do not accept CVs as an educational institution) and submit this, together with a covering letter to the People team at hr@stchris.co.uk. If you would like a conversation regarding this opportunity, please contact Paul Armstrong, Operations Manager at 01462 650850.

Please also complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring form which will be immediately detached from your application.

St Chris is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants will be subject to child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

St Chris is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and we warmly welcome applicants from all suitably-qualified candidates. We welcome applications regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, disability or age.

The closing date for applications for this role is 9 am on Friday, 17 July 2026.
Interviews will take place on Wednesday, 22 July 2026.