School Cook

Full Job Description

We work smarter so that you can enjoy the things that matter outside of work

Job Title:   School Cook
Location:  Castle Gate School, Guildford, Surrey GU2 4DU
Hours:        37.5 per week | Monday–Friday | 8:30am – 4:30pm
Salary:       Up to £27,500 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:         September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Do you love creating delicious, nutritious meals that bring people together? Are you looking for a role where your cooking has a real impact beyond the kitchen?

At Castle Gate School, we're looking for an enthusiastic and experienced School Cook to lead our kitchen and provide freshly prepared, nutritious meals that help our pupils thrive.

This is much more than a catering role. Every meal you prepare supports the health, wellbeing and development of children and young people with additional needs. From planning balanced menus to creating a welcoming dining experience, you'll play an important part in school life and help make lunchtime something our pupils look forward to every day.

Working closely with the wider school team, you'll lead the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring high standards of food quality, hygiene and safety while creating meals that are both healthy and enjoyable.

What You'll Be Doing

• Plan, prepare and serve fresh, nutritious, high-quality meals for pupils and staff.
• Create varied, balanced menus that cater for individual dietary, cultural and medical requirements.
• Promote healthy eating through enjoyable, well-presented meals.
• Lead, support and motivate the kitchen team to deliver an outstanding catering service.
• Manage stock, place orders and maintain effective budget control while minimising waste.
• Ensure the highest standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and compliance with Food Safety, COSHH and Health & Safety legislation.
• Maintain kitchen equipment and report maintenance issues promptly.
• Keep accurate records, including temperature checks, cleaning schedules and food safety documentation.
• Work flexibly to support school events and the wider school community when required.
• Help create a positive, welcoming dining environment where pupils feel valued and supported.

About You

We're looking for someone who:

• Has previous experience as a Chef or Cook, ideally within a school, care or commercial catering environment.
• Is passionate about preparing fresh, nutritious meals that make a difference.
• Has excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Can confidently lead and support a kitchen team.
• Has a strong understanding of food hygiene, HACCP, COSHH and Health & Safety requirements.
• Is experienced in stock control, ordering and managing budgets efficiently.
• Is calm, adaptable and able to work effectively in a busy environment.
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children and young people.
• Takes pride in delivering an excellent catering service with outstanding attention to detail.
• Holds a full UK Driving Licence.

About Us

Opening in September 2026, this brand-new school in Guildford is part of the Options Autism group, a leading provider of specialist education individuals with complex needs. The school will support up to 40 pupils aged 11–18, offering a safe, structured, and inclusive environment tailored to meet a wide range of needs.

Our schools are unique environments, each one having its own special atmosphere and range of opportunities and resources. Our teachers enjoy becoming part of their school’s ‘family’, exploring the potential of the building and environment and getting to know the brilliant pupils in our care.

For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. 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 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.

#1