Catering Assistant

• Ipswich School
• Address:Ipswich Suffolk IP1 3SG
• Salary:5393 per annum

• Hours:2 hours and 15 minutes per day 11 hours and 15 minutes per week 35 weeks per year

• Contract: Permanent. Required as soon as possible
• Reference: 0476

Ipswich School is one of the top 100 schools in the country and is certainly one of the foremost independent schools in East Anglia. We were established prior to 1399 although we moved to our present site in 1852. We have circa 1000 pupils aged between 3 months and 19 years and are fully co-educational. The school operates a 5-day week during term time with representative sports played during the week and on Saturdays.

The school aims to provide a range of good quality healthy food that is both interesting and appealing to pupils and staff alike. All meals are prepared and cooked on site.

A school lunch is provided for the children choosing to take them giving a well-balanced diet for growing and energetic children with a strong emphasis on fresh food. A wide range of dishes are available including a choice of main meal salads desserts and fresh fruit following the schools healthy eating policy. Our in-house catering team are able to accommodate children who require special diets on medical or religious grounds.

Ipswich School is seeking a reliable and hardworking weekend Catering Assistant (Prep School) to join our dedicated catering team. This is a vital role supporting our provision of high-quality nutritious meals to pupils. You will play a key part in ensuring our catering facilities are clean efficient and welcoming and that pupils enjoy a safe hygienic and pleasant mealtime experience.

You will work from 11.45 am 2 pm and will join a team of Catering Assistants whose duties are determined by a work rota that operates in the Prep School kitchen serving areas dining halls and dish washer room each day. You will be serving main dishes and desserts and assisting with other tasks such as loading the dishwasher and cleaning in accordance with the daily cleaning schedule.

You should have the following attributes:

• ability to work calmly under pressure

• good inter-personal skills with the ability to relate well to pupils staff and visitors

• reliability and punctuality.

Hours salary and Benefits:

• this is a permanent part time term time only post which is subject to a probationary period of 6 months

• the hours of work are Monday to Friday 11:45am to 2:00pm. This is 2 hours and 15 minutes per day 11 hours and 15 minutes per week during Ipswich School term time (35 weeks per year)

• please note you are always expected to work on the two days prior to the start of the Michaelmas (Autumn) term each year and on the INSET day (currently in February each year). These days are staff INSET days for training and development activities and they are included in the definition of Ipswich School term time

• additional hours may be required from time to time (with additional pay)

• the salary for the hours as described is 5393 per annum. Salaries are reviewed annually in line with changes to the National Living Wage

• the annual salary quoted includes statutory holiday pay. Annual leave may only be taken outside of Ipswich School term times

• salaries are paid monthly in arrears by BACS on the last working day of each month throughout the year

• free lunch is available (outside of working hours) when the Dining Hall is in operation

• staff are able to use the schools swimming pool and fitness gym (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations)

• you will have access to Smarthealth the schools wellbeing app for staff which offers 24/7 GP access and mental health support

• after 3 months service and/or in line with workplace pension legislation you will be entitled to join a defined contribution pension scheme and will receive 3 x death in service cover

• after 3 years service support staff are eligible for staff fee remission.

We would encourage you to download an application form and a full job description for this role fromour website call the HR team on or email

Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for an interview.

If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format please contact us.

Completed application forms should be returned by 12 pm on Thursday 20 November 2025.

Please mark the envelope Private and Confidential and post to: The Director of HR Ipswich School 25 Henley Road Ipswich IP1 3SG or email to

Candidates shortlisted for interview will be advised as soon as possible after the closing date and interviews will be arranged as soon as possible. If we have not been in touch with you to invite you to an interview then we regret that your application will have been unsuccessful but we would like to thank you for your interest.

Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.