Kitchen Assistant

Kitchen Assistant

Recruitment Pack

Vision: ‘To create a home for world class learning that improves the lives of each child in our family of schools.’

Our Vision and Mission statements are underpinned by our Trust Values:

Working for Empower Trust is rewarding in lots of ways. We value and appreciate our people and recognise our staff are instrumental to the success of the Trust. We therefore offer a wide range of exciting and useful benefits to all our employees:

Career Progression and Staff Development

We are committed to developing our staff and to providing opportunities for growth. We want to encourage the career progression of our employees wherever possible, and support staff who wish to move between our schools and the Central Team when suitable roles arise. We also offer secondment opportunities when available.

At Empower Trust you would be working alongside excellent leaders in education, each with specific areas of expertise. We offer Middle and Senior Leadership development programmes, professional support networks and career development pathways for staff at all levels. In addition, we also have mentoring and coaching programmes, peer learning, internal and external CPD opportunities.

Health and Wellbeing Services

Working in education is a challenging job and the health and wellbeing of our staff is high on our agenda and a key priority. We have several Trust wide wellbeing initiatives that offer support and guidance for our workforce:

A Trust Wellbeing Strategy and Charter outlining our commitment to staff wellbeing

At least one trained Mental Health First Aider in every location, helping to embed our belief that physical and mental health hold equal importance

A network of Mental Health First Aiders and Mental Health Leads who provide support, guidance, and signposting to colleagues across the Trust

A Future in Mind network representing all our academies, who signpost staff to wellbeing support and information, and ensure staff voice is heard

A designated Trustee sponsor whose role is to ensure staff wellbeing remains a priority

Wellbeing is a discussion item on each Trustee / Local Governing Body meeting agenda

Dissemination of annual staff wellbeing questionnaires to inform future actions

Active engagement in national and international awareness days

Working towards the Mental Health at Work Commitment and the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter

Employee Assistance Programme

We are committed to ensuring everyone at Empower Trust gets access to the support they need for personal issues as well as any work-related worries. Our completely confidential Employee Assistance Programme offers numerous services:

Physiotherapy and musculoskeletal (MSK) services

Confidential counselling via face-to-face therapy or secure online video sessions

Stress coaching

Support services for menopause, long covid, bereavement, cancer, cardiac conditions, lung conditions, medical trauma, mental health problems, motor neurone disease, orthopaedic conditions, multiple sclerosis

24/7 GP helpline and prescription service, offering consultation, private prescriptions, open referrals, and fit notes

Surgical assistance programme

Flexible and Family-Friendly Policies

Our employment policies are flexible and responsive to promote diversity and equality, as well as attract and retain the highest quality workforce. We offer flexible working opportunities; job share arrangements, term time working and part time-roles; generous family leave packages; and compassionate or emergency leave.

Pension Scheme

We offer an excellent pension scheme with either the Local Government Pension Scheme (support staff) or the Teachers’ Pension Scheme which include death in service benefits. As well as employee’s paying contributions into the scheme (banded, based on earnings level) Empower Trust also pays a generous contribution on your behalf.

Cycle to Work Scheme

Save on the cost of the commute, promote a healthy lifestyle, and reduce your carbon footprint - all with our superb cycle to work scheme! Find the bike of your dreams and save up to 42% in tax and NI contributions. Whether it’s a mountain bike, BMX, fixie, electric cycle, or one of those natty bikes with a basket on the front, get the wheels you really want; all at an affordable cost spread over 12 to 18 months.

Other Benefits

Eye care scheme

Attractive annual leave allowance

Free on-site parking

In-house catering

Financial wellbeing support

Discounts for teachers - https://www.discountsforteachers.co.uk/

Position: Kitchen Assistant - 8.75 hours per week

Monday to Friday - 12 to 13.45 each day Term time plus 3 days

Terms: Permanent

Start Date: Autumn Term

Salary: £12.85/hour

Closing Date: 30 September 2026

Interview Date: TBC

Website: www.stgeorgesjunior.org.uk

Address: St George’s Junior School, Woodfield Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 8LU

Telephone: [phone removed]

Email: [email removed]

St George’s Junior School and Empower Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to enhanced DBS clearance and other safeguarding checks. If shortlisted, you will be subject to an online search.

Application and Selection Process

Please complete the application form in full detailing how your kills, experience and attributes reflect the vision and values of the school and how they align with the person specification provided. All completed applications forms should be submitted via email. Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

Successful candidates will be invited to interview following the shortlisting process. Applicants who make it to this stage will be required to bring in a minimum of three pieces of identification with them to verify their name, date of birth and current address - one of which must be a form of photographic identification. The following are acceptable:

Valid passport, birth certificate or driving licence

A recent utility bill, council tax bill or bank statement

Applicants will also need to bring evidence of their qualification certificates. Any appointment will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references. These will be sought from their current employer and any gaps in employment history will be followed up.

Criminal Convictions

The amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provides that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’. This means that they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account.

Should you be shortlisted for interview you will be asked to declare on a separate form whether you have any convictions or cautions that are not “protected” in line with this legislation. Further information on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

Online Checks

In line with the Statutory Guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education, an online check will be undertaken for all shortlisted candidates prior to the interview.

Someone who is not on the interview panel will undertake this search and only share information o