Ref: 001030
Catering Assistant for November 2025
Grade hours per week - Term Time Only plus 3 days (16.5 hours) in holidays
Higher Failsworth is a larger than average school with approximately 400 children (with 12 currently on EHC plans) and 50+ staff. It is a large building with many original features (it is 104 years old) which has been adapted so that space is used creatively. Higher Failsworth is within the borough of Oldham but it's location means it is ideally suited to candidates living in the Greater Manchester area, being very close to Manchester city centre, motorway networks (school is 5 minutes from M60), bus routes and a Metrolink station.
Our school serves a richly diverse community and we do our utmost to ensure that each child is given every opportunity to learn and succeed.
Role Overview:
We are looking for candidates (ideally with some catering experience) to be an essential part of our small Catering Team who are responsible for delivering an outstanding catering service to our school, ensuring students and staff are provided with excellent customer service and high quality, nutritious meals to support a healthy learning environment.
Tasks will include food service, setting up and clearing of dining areas, washing up and cleaning duties. There will also be a possibility of some simple food preparation.
You will have a knowledge of basic hygiene and health and safety. A Food Hygiene Certificate & First Aid Qualification are both desirable but not essential.
The successful applicant will:
* have an interest in being involved in food delivery
* be friendly and engaging with the children and staff
* is forward thinking, proactive and approachable
* dynamic and willing to engage fully in the life of the school
* committed to their own professional development
* able to work as part of a successful team
School will offer:
* well behaved and enthusiastic children
* a hardworking, supportive, friendly and dedicated staff team
* an environment where you will have the opportunity to develop your own skills
What's special about HFPS?
We are a warm and welcoming school community.
We have amazing children from a range of backgrounds and cultures.
We are committed to providing an education that aims for high standards but supports a child to be ready for life.
We are committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the whole community and are supported by the service Place2Be.
We have a dedicated Safeguarding and Pastoral team to provide support for families around induction to school and familiarisation if new to the country, parenting as well as safeguarding and support for looked after children.
We have fabulous outdoor areas for outdoor learning including a wooded area with a firepit, a polytunnel and raised beds for growing flowers, fruit and vegetables and a large sports field.
We have a Sensory room and run a sensory club before school.
We have achieved the Sainsbury's school games Platinum award we offer a wide range of sports and activities.
We have a cooking room.
We have a commitment to music & drama. All the children learn a musical instrument in KS2 and we have a whole school Choral speaking festival each year. We have a fixed stage with a sound and lighting system. Every year group performs a play / musical each year.
See job description and person specification for further information. For further information, please contact Mrs Joanne Fitzgerald (School Business Manager) via email on: joanne.-
Applicants should demonstrate how they meet the criteria in the person specification and state their particular areas of interest and expertise in their supporting statement.
Only accurate and fully completed applications will be considered. This includes a full history with no gaps.
Please send completed electronic applications to: joanne.-
Closing Date: Friday 26th September at midnight
Shortlisting: Tuesday 30th September 2025
Interviews: Wednesday 8th October 2025
Start Date: Monday 3rd November 2025
Higher Failsworth is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory references and an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.