Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious meals and lead a talented kitchen team at Bricklehurst Manor School.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking school prioritising wellbeing and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week, competitive salary, and excellent health support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young learners' lives through nutritious meals.
- Qualifications: Passion for cooking, leadership skills, and GCSE Maths and English required.
- Other info: Be part of a close-knit team in a brand-new SEMH school.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 26000 ÂŁ per year.
How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four? At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.
Location: Bricklehurst Manor School, Stonegate, East Sussex, TN5 7EL
Salary: Up to ÂŁ26,250.00 per annum depending on experience (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time plus 1 weeks
Start: February 2026
UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship
Are you an enthusiastic and skilled Chef who loves creating high-quality meals that bring joy to young learners? Do you thrive in a leadership role where your expertise can shape not only menus, but also a positive, nourishing environment for staff and pupils? At Bricklehurst Manor School, you will be at the heart of our community, managing and inspiring a talented kitchen team while delivering exceptional meals tailored to the diverse dietary needs of our school. This is your chance to make a real difference every day — fueling learning, wellbeing, and a vibrant school culture.
About the Role
As our School Cook, you’ll play a key role in creating delicious, nutritious meals that fuel our pupils and staff every day. Working at the heart of the school, you’ll bring warmth, creativity, and professionalism to our kitchen—ensuring everyone is well-fed, cared for, and ready to learn.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Plan, prepare, and deliver nutritious, high-quality meals for pupils and staff.
- Lead and supervise all kitchen staff, fostering teamwork, development, and professionalism.
- Ensure kitchens are clean, safe, and fully compliant with food hygiene, COSHH, and Health & Safety standards.
- Monitor stock levels, control costs, and minimise waste while maintaining high standards.
- Cater for special dietary requirements and respond flexibly to urgent or last-minute requests.
- Order supplies, manage deliveries, and liaise with suppliers to ensure accuracy and quality.
- Conduct staff supervisions, appraisals, and support training and ongoing development.
- Uphold the values, ethos, and reputation of Bricklehurst Manor School within the wider community.
- Contribute to a culture of safeguarding, respect, and wellbeing for all pupils and staff.
Who We’re Looking For
We want a Chef/Cook who is:
- Passionate about creating high-quality meals and leading a motivated kitchen team.
- Organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities in a busy environment.
- A strong leader who can inspire staff, delegate effectively, and maintain high standards.
- Flexible and responsive, able to adapt to changing needs of pupils and the school.
- Committed to Health & Safety, food hygiene, and maintaining a professional kitchen environment.
- GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent) are essential.
At Bricklehurst Manor, you’ll be part of a close-knit, forward-thinking team that values creativity, wellbeing, and collaboration. This isn’t just a School Cook job — it’s a chance to help build something extraordinary from the ground up.
About the School
Bricklehurst Manor School is a brand-new, co-educational SEMH school located in Wadhurst, East Sussex, for pupils aged 11–16. The school will cater for up to 60 pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and associated additional needs.
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
- 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.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
*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.
School Chef/Cook in Stonegate employer: Acorn Care and Education
Contact Detail:
Acorn Care and Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Chef/Cook in Stonegate
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research Bricklehurst Manor and its values. When you walk in for your interview, show that you understand their mission and how you can contribute to their community. It’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills and be ready to showcase them! You might get asked about your favourite dishes or even have a practical test. Bring your A-game and let your passion for creating high-quality meals shine through.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current staff or alumni if possible. They can give you insider tips on what it’s like to work there and what the interviewers are looking for. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of #teamOFG.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and ready to embrace the 4-Day Working Week lifestyle.
We think you need these skills to ace School Chef/Cook in Stonegate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for cooking and working with young people shine through. We want to see how much you care about creating delicious meals that make a difference in their lives!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that match the job description. We love seeing how you've led teams, managed kitchens, or catered for special dietary needs — so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so use bullet points where possible and avoid long-winded sentences. This helps us quickly see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and gives you a chance to showcase your personality right from the start.
How to prepare for a job interview at Acorn Care and Education
✨Know Your Menu
Before the interview, take some time to research and think about the types of meals you would create for the school. Be ready to discuss how you can cater to diverse dietary needs and any creative ideas you have for nutritious meals that kids will love.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a School Chef/Cook, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen or worked with a team in the past. Highlight your ability to inspire and motivate others, as well as how you handle challenges in a busy environment.
✨Emphasise Health & Safety Knowledge
Make sure you brush up on food hygiene regulations and health & safety standards. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in the kitchen and how you would train your team to maintain these standards.
✨Be Ready for Flexibility Questions
In a school setting, things can change quickly. Think of examples where you've had to adapt your plans or respond to last-minute requests. Show that you're flexible and can handle the dynamic nature of a school kitchen.
