School Cook

Full Job Description

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job Title:  School Cook

Location:  Benton House School, Benton, NE7 7XE

Salary:      Up to £24,300 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours:      37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract:  Permanent, Term Time Only

Start:        September 2025

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we’re excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a School Cook to join our brand-new SEN school, Benton House School – part of Acorn Education.

About the Role

We are looking for a passionate and experienced School Cook to lead our kitchen operations, providing high-quality, nutritious meals for our pupils and staff. This role involves managing the day-to-day running of the kitchen, supervising staff, and ensuring food safety standards are consistently met.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare balanced, high-quality menus that cater to the dietary needs of our pupils (Service Users).
• Provide suitable meals for individuals with special dietary requirements.
• Monitor stock levels, implement date rotation, portion control, and maintain quality in line with budgetary constraints.
• Set up and clean down kitchen areas before and after use.
• Ensure efficient preparation for daily and weekly meal requirements.
• Minimise food waste and maintain a cost-effective kitchen.
• Manage and supervise all kitchen staff, including appraisals and performance monitoring.

Who We're Looking For

The ideal candidate will have:

• A solid understanding of catering practices, including safe storage and use of food products.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices.
• Experience in a catering role within a residential, educational, or similar setting.
• Proven ability to plan menus with attention to nutrition and budget.
• Experience managing or supervising staff in a similar environment.
• A proactive and organised approach, with strong teamwork and communication skills.

Qualifications Required

• Relevant Culinary Qualifications
• Up-to-date Food Safety Certifications

About us

Benton House School is a brand-new SEN school for pupils with complex needs including SEMH. It is an exciting addition to the Acorn portfolio based in Newcastle.

Benton House School will have capacity for 60 pupils ages 5-14 years old.

We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support. 

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit 

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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