Catering Assistant

Summary

We have a fantastic opportunity for professional and enthusiastic Catering Assistants to join our Catering Services team in producing high quality food for our pupils and staff in our busy school.

Detail

Catering Assistants (2 x posts: 17.5hrs/week & 14 hrs/week)

Newcastle upon Tyne Royal Grammar School

Required from September 2026

THE POSITION

We have a fantastic opportunity for professional and enthusiastic Catering Assistants to join our Catering Services team in producing high quality food for our pupils and staff in our busy school.

We have 2 posts available from September 2026:

Post 1: 14 hours per week (to include Saturdays)

Post 2: 17.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)

The Catering Assistants will provide a high quality, professional and responsive catering service to the Junior and Senior Schools and staff, reporting to the Head of Catering Services.

Service is cafeteria style and offers a wide choice including soup, a choice of hot and cold main courses and puddings, a vegetarian dish, open sandwiches, and salad meals. The team prepare around 1,500 meals each day as well as preparing several formal dinners over the academic year for between 30 and 120 guests. Very little frozen food is used and the team, working together, takes great pride in producing interesting and healthy food whilst catering for a wide variety of dietary requirements.

THE SCHOOL

In 1525, the Mayor of Newcastle, Thomas Horsley, wrote his will, in which he generously gifted his estate to fund a grammar school. Five centuries later, Horsley’s vision lives on in the Royal Grammar School Newcastle’s corridors and classrooms, and his philanthropic spirit drives the RGS's commitment to education.

Few schools can claim a 500-year history. Over the years, the RGS, has continued to flourish as the premier independent school in the North East of England and as one of the country’s leading schools - consistently topping the regional table for academic excellence.

Today, RGS is a fully co-educational school with over 1,300 students aged 7-18 (Years 3 to 13). Its academically selective places are highly sought after. The school has more than 250 students in the Junior School, which shares the same outstanding site as the Senior School. Its Sixth Form is one of the largest in the independent sector, with more than 340 students.

While RGS prides itself on academic excellence, the school is also known for its emphasis on a holistic education. The school’s ‘There’s More to Life’ approach informs its holistic education, which is central to students’ success, health and happiness.

RGS is based in the heart of Newcastle, immediately opposite Jesmond Metro station. The school occupies over 30 acres of land and has state-of-the-art facilities, including five brand new art studios, a new library, a modern Sixth Form Centre, a 25m swimming pool, two Sports Halls, a Performing Arts Centre, outdoor football/rugby pitches at Mooracres, an artificial turf pitch for hockey and the former County Cricket Ground.

THE CATERING SERVICES TEAM

The Catering Assistant will join a multi-disciplined catering team consisting of the Head of Catering Services, 1 Head Chef, 4 Assistant Chefs and a team of Catering Assistants.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The principal duty will be to support the chefs in food preparation and service for students, staff and visitors to the school. Other duties will include:

CATERING DUTIES

General cleaning duties.

• Occasional weekday and weekend overtime.
• Lunch counter service when required.
• Setting up of functions including internal and external events, parent conferences, student interviews and exams etc.
• Working independently or in close cooperation with other support staff teams, actively assisting in the provision of support services across the school, e.g., setting up and clearing away after events to ensure the school is ready for students the following day.
• Other reasonable additional duties which may be required from time to time.

SAFEGUARDING

• To demonstrate a personal commitment to safeguarding students and colleagues’ wellbeing.
• To ensure any safeguarding concerns or incidents are reported appropriately and in line with the RGS safeguarding policies.
• To comply with all safeguarding policies and procedures and the RGS Staff Code.

OTHER

• Participate in team meetings, training and other learning activities as required and participate in appraisal and professional development.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS, TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

The following are essential:

• Experience of working in a school or similar environment.
• A Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Good verbal communication skills.
• A strong commitment to quality standards and good practice as they relate to catering operations, including:

1. An awareness of health and safety, food safety, safe use of cleaning materials and environmental health issues associated with an understanding of COSHH Safety procedures.
2. An understanding of hygiene control.
3. An understanding of different dietary requirements and food allergies

• A willingness to actively support the ethos and vision of the school.
• The post holder must show a professional, positive and enthusiastic approach to work and must be flexible and sensitive to the needs of a wide range of school users.

They must:

1. be customer focused.
2. be confident and courteous.
3. be organised and methodical
4. have good timekeeping.
5. have a tidy appearance.

• Show an understanding, or willingness to learn the issues associated with working among young people in a school.
• An ability to work as a member of a team in a busy environment.

HEALTH & SAFETY

• An awareness of health and safety, environmental health issues are essential. Assisting the Head of Catering Services in providing lunch for over 1500 pupils and staff in a safe environment for the school community and its visitors, the post holder must perform their duties in accordance with the school’s health and safety procedures and policies, taking remedial action and reporting hazards where additional action is required.
• Ensure that appropriate signage is in place when cleaning is in progress.
• Make safe any hazards where possible, and ensure the area is cordoned off.
• Ensure that all allocated equipment and materials are stored safely and securely in order to prevent unauthorised access and potential accidents/misuse.

MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• The start date for this role will be as soon as possible following completion of the School’s Safer Recruitment checks.
• This is a permanent term time only position.
• There are 2 x posts available:

Post 1: 17.5 hours/week

• Normal hours of work are 11.30am-3.00pm, Monday to Friday (5 days).
• The salary for this position is in the region of £24853 gross per annum (Full Time Equivalent). As this role is part time (17.5 hours/week) and term time only, the actual salary is adjusted to approx. 10.4k gross per annum.

Post 2: 14 hours/week

• Normal hours of work are 11.30am – 3.00pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (4 days).
• The salary for this position is in the region of £24853 gross per annum (Full Time Equivalent). As this role is part time (14 hours/week) and term time only, the actual salary is adjusted to approx. 8.3k gross per annum.

• The school also has a wide range of functions which require catering, and Catering Assistants will be expected to be available to work at some of these events, which could include evening and weekend work, from time to time.
• The Catering Assistants are paid throughout the year although only formally required to attend for work during term time and a few days before the start and after the end of each term. This means that in general, the holiday entitlement is about 65 days each year, allocated across the school holidays.
• In addition, all staff must attend all staff training days which are spread throughout the year and 1 safeguarding training day in September each year (dates vary each academic year). Payment for these days is built into the Catering Assistant’s salary.
• Given the requirements of the role, holiday during term time is not permitted.
• Salaries are paid in twelve equal monthly instalments.
• RGS Support Staff salaries are reviewed on 1st August each year.
• The employee will be required to comply with a range of RGS policies, in particular, those regarding Data protection, use of ICT facilities, Child Protection, Staff Code and Health and safety, a copy of which will be made available.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A warm, ambitious and supportive staff community, unified by shared values and a passion for helping young people thrive.
• Opportunities to engage in rich co-curricular life of the school including 170 clubs, societies and creative opportunities.
• Outstanding facilities across 30 acres, including state-of-the-art art studios, a modern Sixth Form Centre, Performing Arts Centre and extensive sports facilities including a 25m pool.
• Free use of the gym, fitness suite and swimming pool at permitted times.
• Complimentary lunch during term time
• Access to our modern school library and extensive reading materials.
• Optional healthcare plan, including optical, dental, physio cover and telephone GP access.
• Access to free 24/7 telephone counselling service.
• Access to the school medical team, including triage advice and free flu vaccinations.
• Support staff pension scheme (APTIS):

- 6% employee contribution with a 10% employer contribution, or

- 3% employee contribution with a 5% employer contribution.

- Salary Exchange available (optional).

• Life assurance scheme (Aviva): 5× annual salary.
• Eligibility for the RGS Support Staff Sick Pay Scheme (after a qualifying period).
• Interest-free loan for corporate Metro travel pass (T&Cs apply).
• Bike to Work scheme (T&Cs apply).
• Enhanced maternity pay.
• Opportunity for middle leaders and aspiring middle leaders to participate in a focussed training programme.
• Access to 100+ free online training courses
• Regular safeguarding training
• Ongoing training and development opportunities, including internal/external training
• Free entry to school productions in the Miller Theatre (Performing Arts Centre)
• Easy city-centre access, directly opposite Jesmond Metro station—ideal for commuting.

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates are advised to read the ‘Information for Applicants’ with particular care before applying.

Enquiries about this post should be made in the first instance to Graeme Toms (Head of Catering Services) in the first instance. For an informal chat about the post, contact Graeme Toms on 0191 281 5711.

Please visit www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/join-us/work-with-us to access our application form and further information for applicants.

To apply for this post please submit the following to jobs@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

1. A covering letter and

2. A fully completed RGS application form.

Please state whether you are interested in the 17.5hr post, the 14hr post, or both.

The closing date for this role is 9.00am Friday 26th June 2026.

Note: You must complete the application form, even if you want to also attach a CV.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

RGS is committed to the safeguarding of children and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and those working in school to share this commitment. The school applies the Government’s Keeping Children Safe in Education Safer Recruitment procedures to all candidates including appropriate pre-interview checks on shortlisted candidates and pre-employment checks pending any offer. More information regarding the checks can be found in our Information for Applicants here, and ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (September 2025)

Equal Opportunities

We are looking to appoint staff from a wide variety of backgrounds. Not just because it is the right thing to do but because at the RGS we recognise that those different experiences provide fresh perspectives, opportunities to challenge existing beliefs and provide opportunities to act as excellent role models for our diverse student body. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse school culture and our staff are at the heart of this. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of neurodivergence, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

We strive to achieve a diverse workforce, fully representative of our pluralistic society and the ethnic make-up of the student population in the UK. People of colour are under-represented on our staff team. We are keen to attract applicants from a diverse pool of candidates and determined to be a fully inclusive employer, and a great workplace for people of Black, Asian, and ethnic minority heritage as well as White heritage.

We encourage all candidates to complete an ‘equal opportunities’ form with your application. This will be sent directly to the HR team for monitoring purposes.

CONTACT DETAILS

Royal Grammar School, Eskdale Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4DX

Tel: 0191 281 5711

General enquiries: communications@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

Documents

• Catering Assistant- Job Information June 2026 PDF Document