Job Description

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Catering Assistant to join our fantastic team at MEA Central

This is a Grade 2, permanent post working 20 hours per week, 10.30 am to 2.30 pm Monday to Friday during term time only plus 5 INSET days. The starting salary is 11,809 and the full time equivalent is 24,027. The start date for this post will be confirmed as soon as all pre-employment checks are complete.

We're looking for:

A candidate who has experience of food preparation, setting up and serving meals in line with food hygiene regulations. It is important the candidate is customer service focused, ensuring they are courteous and responsive to meeting the needs of customers at all times. The ideal candidate will have active listening and verbal communication skills for effective interaction with customers, other catering colleagues and Trust employees.

Main purpose of the job:

You will work as part of the school catering Team and contribute to the achievement of its objectives, providing an effective and efficient catering service. The Catering Team is responsible for delivering an outstanding catering service to our schools, supporting the Trust in its teaching and wider operations by ensuring students and staff are provided with excellent customer service and high quality, nutritious meals to support a healthy learning environment


Key responsibilities include:



Preparing and serving food, maintaining the associated catering areas in accordance with food hygiene regulations. Setting up and cleaning kitchen areas and equipment and associated catering and dining areas as required Ensuring compliance with food hygiene and COSSH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations at all times. Providing a customer focused services, which is courteous and responsive and meets the needs of the customers at all times. Take appropriate responsibility and action for safeguarding, be aware of confidential issues and maintain as appropriate Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection reporting all concerns to an appropriate person

To find out more about the full responsibilities of the role and/or to ensure you meet the essential criteria, please review the attached job description.

All school staff are expected to share the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Specific safeguarding responsibilities are detailed in the attached job description.

Working for Prospere Learning Trust

Great schools thrive because of the great people in them.

We invest in our staff to achieve their full potential and offer a range of benefits including.

High quality CPD for all roles

Bupa Level 1 Health Plan

- annual cash back allowance for a range of every day health care expenses

Generous Pension Contribution

- over 26% for teachers and over 17% for support staff

26 days annual leave

plus bank holidays,

increasing to 31 days

with 5 years' service

Cyclescheme

- save up to 39% on a bike and accessories and get Strava for free

Employee Assistance Programmes

- including access to free counselling and 24/7 helplines

Credit Union

- regular savings, Christmas saving scheme and access to affordable loans

Flexible working options

- we're happy to talk flexible working where possible

Mental Health First Aid

in every school

Blue Light Card

- discounts on holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more

bYond cashback card

- spend smarter with a prepaid cashback card for your everyday purchases

Visit our website to learn more about our Trust: prospere.org.uk

MEA Central

MEA Central is a thriving 11-16 secondary school in South Manchester, driven by the mission,

"A fantastic future for all

." We focus on removing barriers to student success, combining high expectations with warmth and encouragement. Our values of

Citizenship, Achievement, and Participation

, along with a belief in the power of language, help develop confident, socially responsible young adults.


We offer a challenging, knowledge-rich curriculum to prepare students for GCSEs, further education, and life beyond. Our high expectations are matched by efforts to ignite intellectual passions, fostering autonomous, fulfilled learners. Beyond academics, our exceptional pastoral care and extensive extra-curricular program ensure students gain cultural capital and succeed in areas like sport, music, drama, and community activities.


MEA Central has been graded as good by Ofsted.

"Pupils at Manchester Enterprise Academy Central are incredibly proud and happy to be a part of a diverse and respectful community. Everyone can be themselves. Pupils are considerate of one another. They do their best to model the school's core values. They strive to work hard, be kind and take part"


Visit our website to learn more about our school community: https://www.meacentral.org.uk/

Job Application Information

Please apply using the online application form; incomplete applications may not be considered. CVs are not accepted. Early applications are encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

As per Keeping Children Safe in Education, we conduct online searches on shortlisted candidates to identify any relevant issues for interview discussion. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure declaration, declaring any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. Information will be provided on where to seek guidance on whether certain offences are now protected and should not be disclosed within the self-disclosure form.


Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 all positions within the School are exempt. Therefore, we are entitled to carry out Enhanced Disclosure checks for all staff and volunteers. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relating to children.


Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; we do not sponsor visa applications. If you've lived or worked outside the UK in the last five years, additional information will be required. Job offers are contingent on satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references.

Safeguarding Commitment

All schools within the Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

Equality Statement

Prospere Learning Trust values diversity and welcomes applications from all candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.

For application packs or support, contact us at 0161 527 7953 or jobs@prospere.org.uk.