How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job Title:   Kitchen Assistant

Location:   Higford School, Near Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 9ET

Salary:       £12.50 per hour

Hours:       25 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract:   Permanent, Term Time Only

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Kitchen Assistant to join our close-knit team at Higford School, part of Options Autism.

About the Role

We are seeking a caring, responsible, and enthusiastic Kitchen Assistant to support the delivery of healthy, nutritious meals to our students and staff. Working as part of our dedicated catering team, you’ll play a key role in maintaining hygiene standards, preparing food, and ensuring the kitchen runs smoothly — all while catering to individual dietary needs.

This is a rewarding role for someone who enjoys working in a team, takes pride in cleanliness and organisation, and wants to make a positive difference in a school environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with daily food preparation tasks (e.g. washing, peeling, basic prep)
• Support the team in preparing and serving meals to staff and students
• Familiarise yourself with special dietary requirements of individual pupils
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen
• Clean and sanitise kitchen equipment and eating areas after service
• Assist with receiving deliveries and organising food storage areas
• Help with the collection and safe disposal of kitchen waste
• Ensure all health & safety and food hygiene regulations (including HACCP) are followed
• Report any behavioural observations to the School Cook
• Carry out additional duties as directed by the School Cook

What We’re Looking For

• A team player with a positive, can-do attitude
• Good understanding of hygiene and safety procedures (training can be provided)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Previous kitchen or catering experience is desirable but not essential

About Us

Options Higford is a specialist school set in 28 acres of beautiful Shropshire countryside. We provide a high quality, holistic education for up to 60 autistic students who also have associated behavioural needs. Class groups have five students in with at least 1:1 staffing. We provide personalised curriculums for each student based on their individual needs and aim to support them to make progress academically, socially, with skills for life, regulating their emotions and accessing the community.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

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.

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