What's it like working as a General Catering Assistant at a school?!

[HMC85]

Hi everyone,

I was made redundant and due to my son's Autism finding a normal job proves difficult. I cannot use after school childcare for various reasons, I have absolutely no one to help out with child care. My husband works long hours and occasionally works away from home so I am basically the main carer and there's no one else to help. Not that I expect help.
I have three children in total and don't live in the same village as where they go to school so i have to get them all there in a morning and collect them at the end of the day.
I have a strong background in admin and have always done admin. I hold my nvq and love it!
I worked remotely before so now having to face the reality of going back into the real world!
I've been offered a job within a school as catering assistant which I have accepted. It's a small special needs school. It's only for 16 hours but I'm so nervous about the complete turn around in my career. I'm worried I won't get back into admin once I'm able to.
I suppose my question is what is general catering assistant like in schools? Have you or do you work in that role and are you happy? Do you enjoy it? I feel incredibly lucky to be given this opportunity as I know how difficult it is to get to work within a school and I'll get all the holidays off with the kids which is a huge bonus! I'm just nervous I suppose and hearing what others have to say about the role would be really helpful.
Many Thanks in advance

I’ve worked as a catering assistant in a private school for over 10 years (office worker pre kids)

Good points:
Long holidays
No childcare worries
Its a ‘walk out at the end of shift and forget about it’ job

Bad points:
Can’t take time off during term time so going away is always expensive, also difficult if need doctors, dentist appt etc or if children ill and off school
Crap pay although you may be entitled to UC top up due to this
The job entails scrubbing pots, mopping floors and peeling/chopping enough veg to feed the five thousand. You’re the dogsbody and don’t always get treated very well ( although obvs this depends on your colleagues and kitchen manager)

I’ve tried to get back into office work but after so long out of it systems have all moved on so I’m finding it near on impossible.

Thank you so much for your reply! Do you enjoy it though? Are you glad you did it or regret doing it now you can't get back into admin? It's such a dilemma!
Someone I know in the industry I've worked in has basically offered me a job. I could effectively work less hours and earn more if I claim carers allowance for my son which I've never done before but I don't see how doing what I want to do will work financially and for my sons care needs.
It's only a small school and they seem lovely. It's not a big operation I'm just so on edge with it being something I've never done before.
Thank you again. It's much appreciated xx

As in I'd earn more working in the school with much less hours and the bonus of having the holidays off. I'm just so worried I won't be able to get back into admin work afterwards.

Did you meet the catering staff? If not, maybe drop in (early is best before they start gearing up for lunch).

I think the people will be fine, especially in that type of smaller school where there’s greater interaction between kids and staff generally.

It’s possible you may find it harder to get back into admin, but you won’t lose your key skills and can probably find some refresher training if you decide to get back into it.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

@HMC85
Do I enjoy it? I’m not really sure how to answer that (I’m very happy with my own company, pottering about at home or taking long walks so I don’t think I’ve ever really enjoyed working - for me it’s just a means to an end IYSWIM)
Ive been there so long and the job is so basic that I can do it without any thought, there’s no stress so I’m pretty relaxed.
I love the long school holidays, tbh even if I could get another job I don’t know if I could cope without them!🤣
I live in a small rural village and the nearest child minder was 10 miles away, school breakfast clubs etc don’t exist and my ex-h job meant I was effectively on my own re childcare so I couldn’t see any way of me working a regular job anyway…
I’d still make the same decision, it’s been worth it for me and my children.
I know a few women like me who have taken the job for the same reasons as me (children) but then you get so settled you’re still there when the kids have grown up!
I’d say give it 2 or 3 years and then decide if you’d be happy long term, you never know you might love it, and if not don’t leave it too long before trying to get back into admin

Thank you so much for your replies and input it really has helped me. I think I'm over thinking things and I should go into it with an open mind. Give it my best shot. Like you say the benefits are huge and it will make things so much easier for my son. He has 7 years left of school minimum so my life has to be that focus for now.
Honestly thank you so much. Truly appreciate your response xx

I'm a school cook supervisor and the hours are great around childcare with school holidays. Work can be demanding at times we only have 2 in our kitchen and it's full on.
I do the cooking baking serving and end of day stuff eg sweeping and Mopping. My assistant does salad help with food prep and sandwiches etc. I started off as a general assistant but only downside was there wasn't enough hours.