School Cook

Full Job Description

At OFG we give you time to enjoy those special moments and hobbies outside of work!

Job Title:  School Cook
Location:   Benton House School, Benton, NE7 7XE
Hours:  37.5 per week | Monday to Friday
Salary:  £25,000 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:  September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

As School Cook, you’ll take pride in running the kitchen day to day, creating nutritious, well-balanced meals that pupils look forward to. From menu planning and food preparation to stock control and hygiene standards, you’ll play a vital role in supporting the health, wellbeing, and enjoyment of our young people.

You’ll ensure all meals are prepared to a high standard, taking into account individual dietary needs and allergens, while maintaining a safe, efficient, and welcoming kitchen environment.

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.

At Benton House, you’ll find a workplace built on kindness, collaboration, and growth. We’ll give you the tools, training, and encouragement to develop your career — and the space to make a genuine impact every single day.

You’ll become part of a team that celebrates progress in all its forms — from the smallest smile to the biggest breakthrough.

Because here, every child matters. And so do you.

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.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. 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.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

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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