Kitchen Assistant

Work Smarter. Live Better. Join the 4-Day Working Week!

Job Title: Kitchen Assistant (Kitchen Porter Focus)
Location: Red Moor School, Lanlivery, PL30 5BT
Hours:     20 hours per week | Monday–Friday | 10:00am – 2:00pm
Salary:     £11,819.29 per annum / £13.25 per hour (not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        April 2026

UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, giving you 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay*.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW, and others will soon join in. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG!

About the Role

At Red Moor School, every role matters — and every member of staff helps change the lives of our young people. Our pupils thrive when the environment around them is calm, clean, safe and consistent — and our kitchen team plays a vital role in making that happen.

We’re looking for a Kitchen Assistant with a strong Kitchen Porter focus who takes pride in their work, brings reliability and care to everything they do, and is committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming and high-quality kitchen environment for pupils and staff every single day. Your work may be behind the scenes — but its impact is felt across the whole school.

• Value teamwork, routine and purpose in your work

• Bring a calm, steady presence — even in a busy kitchen

• Understand that the right environment helps children feel safe and ready to learn

We want to hear from you.

Being a Kitchen Assistant at Red Moor is far more than washing dishes — you are part of the team that ensures pupils receive nutritious meals in an environment that reflects the care we show in everything we do. You’ll help maintain a kitchen that is clean, organised and safe — supporting the daily rhythm of the whole school.

You will:

• Wash dishes, trays, utensils and kitchen equipment to a consistently high standard

• Maintain cleanliness across worktops, appliances, storage areas and floors

• Assist with unpacking and storing food and equipment deliveries safely

• Manage waste appropriately and empty bins regularly

• Support the School Chef by keeping all areas organised and running smoothly

• Complete daily and weekly cleaning routines

• Help with simple setup and clear-down at break and lunchtime

• Follow hygiene, food safety and health & safety procedures at all times

Every day is a little different — because the kitchen supports the whole school community. That’s what makes the role both purposeful and valued.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who:

• Brings a calm, steady and positive approach — even during busy periods

• Takes pride in maintaining a clean, safe and well-organised environment

• Works well as part of a supportive team and is happy to help wherever needed

• Communicates clearly and builds positive relationships with adults and young people

• Is reliable, consistent and able to follow procedures carefully

• Is comfortable lifting, carrying and being on their feet throughout the day

• Ideally has kitchen or cleaning experience (training can be provided)

• Level 2 Food hygiene (desirable but not essential)

If you take pride in doing things properly, keeping standards high and contributing to something meaningful — you’ll thrive here.

About Red Moor School

Red Moor is a nurturing, specialist school for pupils aged 5–18 with SEMH needs and barriers to learning. Many of our young people arrive having found school overwhelming or unsuccessful in the past — our job is to show them a different experience.

We believe: “The curriculum should be the servant of the child.” – Sir Barry Carpenter (2024)
This philosophy shapes our relationships, our environment, and every aspect of school life — including the way we care for our buildings and grounds.

Red Moor is part of Acorn Education, within Outcomes First Group, giving you both the closeness of a supportive school team and the opportunities of a national organisation.

We’re proud that Outcomes First Group is officially a Great Place to Work.

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

*Subject to successful probation. Not a contractual benefit.

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.

A Final Word from Us

Red Moor is becoming something truly special — a place where staff feel valued, pupils feel understood, and relationships sit at the centre of everything we do.

If you want to join a team that supports one another, takes pride in their work, and believes every young person deserves brighter days ahead — we’d love to hear from you.

#TeamRedMoor #TeamOFG

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