Cooks/catering staff help prepare food and plan the menu for school meals according to a fixed budget.
Catering staff
Day-to-day tasks could include:
- planning menus, following guidelines on nutrition and healthy eating
- reconciling daily income
- preparing meals
- monitoring and managing supplies within a budget
- developing relationships with food suppliers
- ensuring compliance with health and safety policies
- training staff, and
- supervising staff.
Cooks/catering managers
Day-to-day tasks could include:
- ordering food
- planning menus according to a fixed budget and following guidelines on nutrition and healthy eating
- monitoring and managing supplies within a budget
- supervising the work of catering staff, including allocation of duties and work rotas
- developing relationships with food suppliers
- liaising with site manger, and complying with food safety legislation.
What skills do I need?
- excellent communication skills
- have good standards of hygiene
- be organised and methodical.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
There are many qualifications available to catering staff. Foundation certificates in food hygiene and vocational qualifications in food preparation and cooking are recommended.
Qualifications specific to cooks/catering staff and kitchen assitsants can be identified by visiting the Register of Regulated Qualifications.
The level 2 Award, support work in schools is suitable for all support staff in schools and it will help you to demonstrate an understanding of how schools work; child and young person development; safeguarding the welfare of children and young people; the importance of communication with adults and children and equality, and diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people. For more information visit our qualifications page.
Further information
People 1st develop the national occupational standards and qualifications for staff in catering roles. Find out more about training programmes and qualifications for catering staff and supervisors by visiting our career development framework (CDF) page.
Find out more about training programmes and qualifications for catering staff and supervisors by visiting our career development framework (CDF) page.
Cleaning staff are responsible for cleaning the school premises and maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Cleaning staff usually work before school starts in the morning or after it finishes in the afternoon.
Day-to-day tasks could include:
- cleaning classrooms and corridors
- ensuring school premises, including classrooms and corridors are kept clean and hygienic.
What skills do I need?
- enjoy working in a school environment
- good communication skills
- have high standards of hygiene.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Cleaning staff can take vocational qualifications at level 1 or 2 in cleaning, although no formal qualifications are needed, and no previous experience is usually required
Qualifications specific to cleaners can be identified by visiting the Register of Regulated Qualifications.
The level 2 Award, support work in schools, is suitable for all support staff in schools and it will help you to demonstrate an understanding of how schools work; child and young person development; safeguarding the welfare of children and young people; the importance of communication with adults and children and equality, and diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people. For more information visit our qualifications page.
Further information
To learn more about training programmes for cleaning staff and supervisors, visit our career development framework (CDF) page. You may also be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship scheme. The National Apprenticeship website offers further information.
Asset Skills develop the national occupational standards and qualifications for staff in cleaning roles. For more information, visit the Asset Skills website.
Premise managers/caretakers are responsible for the maintenance of the school building, ensuring health and safety guidelines are followed. They may also oversee the work of other site staff.
Day-to-day tasks could include:
- managing access to the premises and maintaining security
- carrying out basic repairs
- planning site use and development
- championing health and safety around the school, and supervising external contractors.
What skills do I need?
- flexible in your approach to planning
- well-organised
- reasonably fit
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
There are usually no formal academic qualifications needed, but schools may offer short, off-the-job training courses (for example, first aid or health and safety course).
Qualifications specific to cleaners can be identified by visiting the Register of Regulated Qualifications.
The level 2 Award, support work in schools, is suitable for all support staff in schools and it will help you to demonstrate an understanding of how schools work; child and young person development; safeguarding the welfare of children and young people; the importance of communication with adults and children and equality, and diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people. For more information visit our qualifications page.
Once in the post, there are numerous development opportunities for site staff. The career development framework (CDF) lists relevant national programmes and qualifications.
Further information
To learn more about training programmes for caretaking staff and site supervisors, visit our CDF page. You may also be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship scheme. The National Apprenticeship website offers further information.
Asset Skills develop the national occupational standards and qualifications for staff in caretaking. For more information, visit the Asset Skills website.
For general information about caretaking roles, visit the Connexions website.
Information is also available on the Caretaker.net, an independent website written by caretakers working across the UK.