Classroom support

Teaching Assistant / Classroom Lead (Catering Skills & Vocational Education)

1st Step Education and Training

Location: Schools across Leicestershire, with additional work at our Leicester City Centre provision
Contract: Term Time Only
Hours: 12 hours over 2 days – , Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:00am–3:00pm
Salary: £13.00–£16.00 per hour, dependent on experience

About 1st Step Education and Training

1st Step Education and Training is a specialist secondary alternative education provider dedicated to supporting vulnerable young people to achieve positive outcomes.

We deliver engaging, practical vocational programmes to young people who may have been excluded from mainstream education, are attending reduced timetables, are at risk of exclusion, or require additional support to re-engage with learning.

Our programmes include Catering Skills, Nail Technology, Construction, Barbering and Bicycle Maintenance, providing young people with opportunities to develop practical skills, confidence, independence and positive attitudes towards education and their future.

As our provision continues to grow, we are looking for an enthusiastic and adaptable Teaching Assistant / Classroom Lead to join our team.

The Role

This is a varied and rewarding role combining practical vocational delivery, classroom leadership and pupil support.

A key responsibility will be to lead our Catering Skills programme, delivered from our bespoke mobile food trailer at schools across Leicestershire.

The successful candidate will lead engaging, practical catering sessions with small groups of young people, supporting them to develop skills in food preparation and cooking while building confidence, communication, teamwork and positive attitudes towards learning.

You do not need to be a qualified chef or teacher. However, you should enjoy cooking, have good practical kitchen skills and be confident demonstrating and supporting young people with food preparation and cooking activities.

Course content and lesson plans are provided, allowing you to concentrate on delivering enjoyable and engaging sessions, managing the learning environment and supporting each young person to achieve positive outcomes.

When you are not delivering Catering Skills, you may work alongside our class teachers and vocational tutors to support young people participating in other courses, including Nail Technology, Construction, Barbering and Bicycle Maintenance.

Specialist knowledge of these subjects is not required. Your role will be to support the tutor, help learners remain engaged, provide individual assistance where required and contribute to a positive and well-managed classroom environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead our pre-planned Catering Skills programme from our bespoke food trailer at schools across Leicestershire.
• Deliver engaging, practical cooking and food preparation activities to small groups of young people.
• Demonstrate basic cooking techniques and support learners to develop their practical skills safely.
• Prepare the food trailer, equipment, ingredients and resources for sessions.
• Ensure the food trailer and catering equipment are kept clean, safe and organised.
• Promote high standards of food hygiene, allergen awareness and kitchen safety.
• Create a positive, engaging and inclusive learning environment.
• Manage learner behaviour positively and consistently.
• Build positive and trusting relationships with young people to encourage engagement and achievement.
• Adapt your approach to meet different abilities, learning styles and individual needs.
• Support young people who may have social, emotional, behavioural or additional needs.
• Encourage learners to develop confidence, independence, teamwork, communication and employability skills.
• Monitor learner participation, progress and engagement and provide appropriate feedback.
• Support class teachers and vocational tutors with other programmes, including Nail Technology, Construction and Barbering.
• Provide one-to-one and small-group classroom support where required.
• Support teachers with classroom management and appropriate de-escalation strategies.
• Act as a positive role model and promote professional behaviour and positive attitudes towards learning.
• Work collaboratively with 1st Step colleagues and staff within partner schools.
• Follow all safeguarding, child protection, food hygiene, allergen management, health and safety and organisational policies and procedures.

About You

We are looking for someone who is practical, enthusiastic, patient, reliable and confident working with young people.

The right person does not necessarily need to come from a traditional teaching or catering background. You might have experience as a Teaching Assistant, youth worker, mentor, support worker or within catering or hospitality.

What matters most is that you can confidently lead a small group, enjoy practical cooking and have the ability to build positive relationships with young people who may have found mainstream education challenging.

Essential

• Experience of working with, supporting, coaching or mentoring young people.
• Confidence leading and managing a small group of learners.
• Good practical cooking skills and confidence preparing a range of basic dishes.
• A willingness to learn and follow safe food preparation, food hygiene and allergen procedures.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build positive and professional relationships with young people.
• Ability to motivate and engage young people who may have struggled within mainstream education.
• A patient, calm, resilient and supportive approach.
• Confidence managing challenging behaviour appropriately and positively.
• Ability to work independently and take responsibility for practical sessions.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a wider teaching and support team.
• Willingness to support across different vocational programmes when required.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Willingness and ability to work across schools throughout Leicestershire.

Desirable

• Food Hygiene/Food Safety certification.
• Food Allergen Awareness certification.
• Previous experience within Alternative Provision, schools, SEN/SEMH settings, youth work, mentoring or similar environments.
• Previous experience delivering practical activities, workshops or training.
• Knowledge or experience of working with young people with SEMH needs.
• Relevant Teaching Assistant, education, youth work, mentoring, catering or vocational qualifications.
• Previous catering, hospitality or food preparation experience.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Food Hygiene and Food Allergen qualifications are desirable but are not essential, as all required training will be provided by 1st Step Education and Training.

A formal teaching qualification is not required.

We are interested in finding someone with the right combination of practical ability, confidence, reliability and the ability to engage and support young people. Full training and ongoing professional development will be provided to help you succeed in the role.

What We Offer

• Full training for the role, including relevant Food Hygiene and Food Allergen training where required.
• A varied role combining practical vocational delivery and classroom support.
• The opportunity to deliver our unique mobile Catering Skills programme within schools across Leicestershire.
• Pre-planned course content and lesson resources.
• A rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference to young people's lives.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• Opportunities for career progression within a growing organisation.
• Term-time-only working.
• The opportunity to help young people develop practical skills, confidence and aspirations for their future.
• Possibility of more days as the course numbers grow

Safeguarding

1st Step Education and Training is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant will be subject to rigorous safer recruitment procedures, including:

• Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List check.
• Verification of identity and relevant qualifications.
• Employment history and reference checks.
• Online searches and any additional checks required in line with current safeguarding guidance.

We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.

We would particularly like to hear about your experience of working with young people, supporting or managing groups, and your confidence with practical cooking and food preparation.

Join 1st Step Education and Training and help us take practical, engaging vocational education directly into schools across Leicestershire.

Pay: £13.00-£16.00 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 12.0 per week

Work Location: In person