Burray bairns appeal for school kitchen staff

The children at Burray Primary School are appealing for folk to help out in the school kitchen – “We love our school lunches, they are tasty.  Please come and work at our school.”

There’s 63 bairns at the school and Head Teacher, Catherine Mackenzie, says: “School lunches play a crucial role in ensuring that all children get to eat healthy and nutritious foods - which in turn supports their ability to learn at school.

“Come and join our small but very friendly team here at the school!”

The Council’s Catering Manager, Scott Pring, says they may have to reduce the school meals offering at Burray if they don’t attract folk into the kitchen assistant posts.

“The situation is now very tricky at Burray Primary School– we will be exploring all alternative options but we may have no choice other than to reduce the school meals offer to cold lunches only, until we can fill the kitchen assistant posts.

“This is absolutely a last resort but if we do not have the staff, then we simply cannot provide the full service. It’s not a road we want to have to go down as we are all aware of how important a hot nutritious meal is for our children, but we simply may have no choice.

“Please consider applying - staff – quite a number of whom have been employed with the service for many, many years – tell us it’s a great job especially if you have children of your own to work around. But maybe you are retired and would enjoy being around bairns again – it’s so lightsome….and it would bolster your income.

“Many areas and services are finding it difficult to recruit and Orkney is no different. Many of our catering staff tell us it is very rewarding knowing you are playing a part in keeping the children’s tummies full with what you know is good brain fodder and tasty on top!”

A new improved pay award is pending, there’s a great pension and flexibility in the days worked – there may be job share opportunities - and exceptional annual holidays. If you are a parent, there’s the additional bonus of not having to look for childcare as you work when they are at nursery or school. Experience is not necessary as training can be provided.

In addition to Burray, there’s a number of jobs available within school catering, from cooks – there’s a post available at Eday School - to kitchen assistants, permanent and relief across the county.

Give Scott a shout on (01856) 879238 scott.pring@orkney.gov.uk or Marina Stevenson marina.stevenson@orkney.gov.uk  or head here to apply - www.orkney.gov.uk/cooks