Job Description

Proposed Interview Date: Week Commencing 7 September 2026

Closing Date: Monday 31 August 2026

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: FC3 £25,604.23 - £26,786.83 (Pro-Rata)

Working Pattern: 20 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (split shift Mon-Fri: 7.00am-9.00am and 3.00pm-5.00pm, some flexibility with start and finish times may be possible)

Location: Madras College, St Andrews

Purpose and Values of Education Directorate

The Education Directorate is committed to Improving Life Chances for All through a wide range of direct services which support our children, young people, families and the wider Fife community. Our approach to improvement is rooted in our core values: Compassion, Ambition, Respect and Equity which reflect the ethos, culture and practice principles of all staff across the directorate. We strive to ensure that our attitudes and behaviour reflect these core values in all our dealings with children, young people, their families, and the wider community in partnership with those who support them.

Supporting Statement

As part of your application, you must provide us with a Supporting Statement which outlines to us how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy. For more information, check out the How to Apply section of our Career Site. Without a Supporting Statement, your application will not be progressed. Please upload your Supporting Statement at the section marked ‘upload resumé’. Your Supporting Statement must not be a CV. More information is available on our Career site at www.fife.gov.uk/jobs/supportingstatement

Please consider and demonstrate the following when completing your Supporting Statement:

• Ways in which you have demonstrated that you can work effectively as part of a team.

(Consider the following: how you have built positive relationships build on trust and respect; how you communicate with others; how you use your initiative to meet targets and achieve goals.)

• Ways in which you have worked with others to meet all learners needs.

(Consider the following: how you have shared information, followed plans, supported learners, worked with others?)

• Ways in which you have built and sustained positive relationships that have led to positive outcomes for learners.

(Consider the following: how have you have demonstrated care and commitment when actively engaging with learners about their wellbeing; how have you established positive and purposeful relationships within your school community; how have you worked collaboratively with others to improve outcomes for learners?)

We are looking for a committed School Support Assistant working in our Home Economics Department who is passionate about improving life chances for all, so that children and young people can achieve their full potential.

Key responsibilities:

Food Preparation Support:

• Prepare, weigh, measure and portion ingredients for practical cookery lessons.
• Organise and distribute ingredients and equipment required for classes.
• Assist with stock rotation and storage of food items in accordance with food safety regulations.
• Monitor ingredient levels and advise teaching staff of stock requirements.
• Receive and store deliveries safely and appropriately.

Classroom and Kitchen Preparation:

• Set up teaching kitchens, workstations and classrooms before lessons.
• Ensure all equipment, utensils and resources are available and in good condition.
• Prepare demonstrations and practical materials as directed by teaching staff.
• Support the organisation of displays, events and practical assessments.

Cleaning and Housekeeping:

• Clear workstations and teaching areas following practical lessons.
• Wash dishes, utensils, cookware and equipment.
• Operate dishwashing equipment where available.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness throughout food preparation and teaching areas.
• Dispose of waste safely and in accordance with school procedures.

Health, Safety and Compliance:

• Follow food hygiene and health and safety procedures at all times.
• Ensure kitchen equipment is used, cleaned and stored safely.
• Report defects, hazards or maintenance issues promptly.
• Assist in maintaining records required for food safety and risk management.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment for pupils and staff.

General Duties:

• Support Teachers and department staff as required.
• Participate in relevant training and development activities.

The Person

Essential:

• Experience of working in a kitchen, catering, food preparation or similar environment.
• Knowledge of food hygiene and safe food handling practices.
• Ability to organise workloads and work independently.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to carry out manual handling tasks associated with setting up rooms and moving supplies.

Desirable:

• Food Hygiene Certificate (Elementary Food Hygiene or equivalent).
• Experience working in a school or educational setting.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety requirements relating to food preparation environments.

Skills and Attributes:

• Reliable and well organised.
• Attention to detail.
• Practical and hands-on approach.
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure.
• Commitment to supporting education and young people.
• Positive and flexible attitude.

Before confirming to your appointment, you will be required to obtain Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership through Disclosure Scotland and become a member of the relevant PVG scheme.

Further Information

• Role Profile - When preparing your supporting statement, review the role profile and think about how you meet the essential criteria Role Profile
• How We Work Matters - Our employees are expected to display and promote certain behaviours in the workplace. See our How We Work Matters behaviour framework for more information.
• Employee Benefits - Employees have access to a benefits package that offers discounts on a wide range of products and services.
• Directorate Information - Council Department information
• Social Media - Search for more 'Fife Council Jobs' on Facebook or follow us on X @FCJobsOfficial.
• Alternative Formats - Job information can be made available in alternative formats, to make a request please e-mail transactions.recruitment@fife.gov.uk
• AI - We recognise that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used by many people when they are applying for jobs and preparing for interview. Candidate guidance on the use of AI in the recruitment process is available here

For further information please contact: Andrew Cummings - Andrew.Cummings@fife.gov.uk