The Downs School
West Berkshire
Salary:
Actual Salary (20 hours p/w): £10,845 - £11,015 per annum Hours: Mon-Fri
Job type:
Part Time, Permanent
Apply by:
18 October 2025
Job overview
Contract type: Permanent, 20 hours, term time only. Plus 1 Inset days and 1 cleaning day to be worked in the summer holidays.
We are seeking a motivated Kitchen Assistant to work in our school. You will have excellent communication and customer service skills. Previous experience is desirable, however full training will be provided.
The successful candidate will
* have a professional attitude that is open to innovative ways of working
* follow instructions issued by the Cook Supervisor or Kitchen Manager
* serve customers in a friendly and pleasant manner
* carry out basic food preparation to the agreed standard as directed by the Kitchen Manager
* carry out all tasks with due regard to the contract specification and all legislation including Health and Safety, Food Hygiene and Personal Hygiene.
* use every effort to develop and maintain effective working relationships with our customers and colleagues.
* carry out any other reasonable duties as directed by the Cook Supervisor or Kitchen Manager
In return you will
* experience a caring, positive ethos that prioritises staff and recognition
* experience working with children who enjoy being at school and behave exceptionally
Closing date: We will close this vacancy when a suitable candidate is found
Proposed Start date: ASAP
The Downs School, a Foundation, 11-18 comprehensive school, is a successful, oversubscribed, and popular school serving the Downs area of West Berkshire. The roll is over 1400 with a well-established sixth form. Results at all levels are consistently outstanding and the best in West Berkshire, and Ofsted described our students as having 'excellent personal and social skills' who 'achieve well academically.'
We reserve the right to close this vacancy if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application via TES as early as possible. Further information can be found on our website or by contacting Sarah Townsend, HR Manager or
The Downs School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Check through the DBS and provide evidence that they have a right to work in the UK.
About The Downs School
The Downs School
Compton, Newbury
Berkshire
RG20 6AD
United Kingdom
Welcome to our School
The Downs School & Sixth Form is a co-educational, non-denominational school set in the heart of the West Berkshire Downs near Newbury. We provide a balanced approach to the pursuit of excellence by offering an interesting, challenging and lively curriculum. Students gain academic, creative, sporting and social skills, both in and out of the classroom, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience for all. We also place a strong emphasis on the partnership between staff, students and parents and respect the trust placed upon us by parents who actively choose our school for their children.
Our Sixth Form is vibrant, welcoming, all-inclusive and purposeful. Staff, students and parents work together to create an environment in which our young people are supported to realise their full potential and achieve their personal goals.
Values and vision
Our staff are committed to excellence and achievement at all levels and we develop our students into well-rounded young adults, able to venture into a rapidly changing world with confidence and determination. These principles are summed up in our school vision 'Educating today's students for the world of tomorrow.' Ofsted has judged us as outstanding in every category but we are not a school that wants to stand still. We know that there is always more to do to ensure that every child's educational experience is rich, character building and of the highest possible standard. We are striving to beyond outstanding through our philosophy of "Learning together, learning for life."
We work in partnership with our students who contribute to the decision-making in the school, ensuring they feel valued and confident. Despite our size, we pride ourselves on our small school feel.
Beyond the classroom
Learning extends beyond the classroom to extra-curricular activities and trips, both within the UK and overseas. Lessons are brought to life through a wide range of educational trips; from visiting theatres in London and New York for our Performing Arts students, an annual Geography trip to Iceland and exchange visits for our language students to France. Our Sixth Form students often choose to join the bi-annual skiing trip and there is the opportunity to take part in a major expedition. Past expeditions have travelled to Borneo, Norway and India.
We also offer other opportunities including inter-house sporting competitions and a variety of lunchtime and after school sport clubs. For those interested in dance, music or drama we offer a number of house competitions through the year and the opportunity to take part in our annual productions which have included Les Misérables and Billy Elliott. We also offer opportunities in debating, public speaking, creative writing and more.
Ofsted
"Students make very rapid progress across all year groups and in a wide range of subjects. The proportions of current Year 11 students making more than expected progress from Key Stage 2 in English and mathematics are very high. Together with students' very high levels of attainment, this represents outstanding and sustained high achievement throughout Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4."
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