Food Technology Assistant & Practical Specialist

Location: Havering, East/Outer London

School Type: Secondary School & Sixth Form (Co-educational)

Contract: Part-Time or Full-Time, Permanent (Term-Time Only, 32.5–37 hours per week)

Start Date: Immediate / ASAP

A vibrant, community-focused secondary school and Sixth Form in the London Borough of Havering is seeking a proactive, meticulous, and safety-conscious Food Technology Assistant to join their dynamic Design & Technology (D&T) department. Operating behind the scenes of culinary and food science education, this essential technical role is ideal for a skilled kitchen technician, food safety specialist, or experienced school assistant looking to manage practical room logistics, maintain hygiene standards, and support teachers in delivering high-quality culinary practicals across the student body.

About the Role

As the Food Technology Assistant, you will serve as the technical engine of the school's commercial-standard teaching kitchens. Reporting to the Head of Design & Technology, you will manage food ingredient preparation, maintain culinary equipment, oversee health and safety compliance, and provide hands-on assistance during practical cooking sessions for Key Stage 3, GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition, and Hospitality & Catering classes.

• Environment: A well-equipped Outer London secondary school featuring modern food tech rooms, commercial-grade ovens, food preparation stations, and dedicated food storage facilities

• Culture: A practical, health-conscious, and collaborative environment dedicated to building life skills, food science awareness, and culinary excellence in young people

Key Responsibilities

• Practical Classroom Support: Assist food technology teachers during practical lessons, setting up workstation ingredients, distributing equipment, and providing live assistance to students during cooking and baking tasks.

• Ingredient Management & Procurement: Order, receive, inspect, and store food ingredients and consumables; manage stock rotation (FIFO) and monitor food department budgets in coordination with the SBM office.

• Hygiene, Health & Safety Compliance: Maintain strict food hygiene standards (HACCP) across kitchen rooms, perform routine temperature logging for refrigeration units, execute sanitization routines, and safely dispose of organic waste.

• Equipment Maintenance & Inventory: Inspect, clean, maintain, and log all kitchen equipment (blenders, mixers, cookers, cutlery); report repairs and ensure all apparatus meets safety checks.

• Demonstration & Trial Prep: Prepare ingredients and equipment for teacher demonstrations, practical GCSE assessments (NEA cook-offs), and after-school culinary enrichment clubs.

Requirements

• Food Safety & Hygiene Certification (Level 2 or Level 3 Food Hygiene in Catering/Education is essential).

• Proven experience in a kitchen technical, catering, food prep, or laboratory support role (experience within an educational or training establishment is highly desirable).

• Practical knowledge of kitchen health and safety, COSHH guidelines, allergen control, and food hygiene legislation (HACCP).

• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills, with the ability to maintain clean, safe environments under tight lesson timetables.

• A proactive, student-friendly approach with strong communication skills and a firm commitment to safeguarding pupil welfare.

Salary & Benefits

• Pay Scale: Outer London Support Staff Scale (commensurate with food hygiene qualifications and practical experience).

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), term-time working pattern providing excellent work-life balance, funded health and safety/first aid CPD, and access to staff wellbeing programs.

How to Apply

If you are an organized food enthusiast ready to support culinary education and practical learning at a thriving secondary school in Havering, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your application and CV as soon as possible for consideration.