Food Technician | Secondary School in Havering
- Permanent, Full-time, Part-time
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.