Job Description
SCHOOL COOK
Chandler's Ford
Full-time, permanent position
Closing date: Midnight, Fri 30th Oct, 2026
Join Us as We Build Something Special
School Cook – Brook School
Brook School is a new independent specialist school, and we are looking for an enthusiastic, caring and experienced Cook to join our team and help shape a truly unique and inspiring place to learn and work.
This is an exciting opportunity to become part of the school’s founding team and establish a high-quality catering provision from the beginning. The role will initially be offered on set hours, with the potential for these to increase as the school grows.
We are seeking someone who has experience of preparing nutritious and appealing meals for a diverse range of needs. Previous experience of working within a school, specialist education or SEND setting would be particularly beneficial.
Our learners may have a range of dietary, medical and sensory needs. The successful candidate will need to understand that food can be a significant part of a learner’s daily experience and must be prepared to adapt meals sensitively and creatively.
This may include:
- Catering for allergies, intolerances, cultural requirements and medically prescribed diets
- Adapting the texture, presentation, smell, temperature or separation of foods
- Supporting learners who experience sensory sensitivities around food
- Providing familiar, predictable and visually appealing meal options
- Working closely with school staff and families to understand individual dietary plans
- Introducing new foods gradually and without pressure
- Ensuring that every learner can access a safe and appropriate meal
We are not just looking for someone who can prepare meals.
We are looking for kindness, patience, flexibility and a genuine commitment to meeting the individual needs of every learner.
Our school has a therapeutic and trauma-informed ethos, with relationships, care and nurture at the heart of everything we do. The Cook will be an important member of the wider school team and will help create a calm, welcoming and positive dining experience for learners and staff.
What Makes Us Different?
- A small, nurturing specialist school environment
- A strong focus on each learner’s individual needs
- A therapeutic and trauma-informed approach
- The freedom to develop menus creatively and responsively
- A leadership team that values staff wellbeing
- A culture built on respect, collaboration and support
- The opportunity to develop the school’s catering provision from the beginning
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for a Cook who is:
- Warm, patient and approachable
- Adaptable, creative and solution-focused
- Passionate about providing nutritious and enjoyable food
- Confident in adapting meals to meet sensory and dietary needs
- Knowledgeable about food allergies, intolerances and allergen management
- Able to maintain high standards of food hygiene and kitchen cleanliness
- Organised and able to manage menus, stock, ordering and food preparation
- Able to work within an agreed budget and reduce food waste
- Comfortable working independently while also contributing to the wider school team
- Willing to communicate with families and professionals regarding individual needs
- Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners
- Excited to help build a new school community
Applicants should hold, or be willing to complete, an appropriate Food Hygiene and Safety qualification. Knowledge of allergen legislation, nutritional guidance and safer food practices is essential.
What We Offer
- A wide range of staff benefits and wellbeing support
- Ongoing professional development and training
- SEND, safeguarding and allergen awareness training
- A collaborative and supportive working environment
- The opportunity for the role and hours to develop as the school grows
- The chance to make a genuine difference every day
- The opportunity to shape the school’s menus, kitchen routines and catering provision from the beginning
If you want more than just a catering role and would like to help create a school where learners and staff can truly flourish, we would love to hear from you.
Come and be part of the beginning.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications. We therefore encourage interested applicants to submit their application as soon as possible.
Safeguarding Statement
Brook School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every learner. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Safer recruitment checks will also include references, identity and right-to-work checks, qualification checks and an online search in accordance with current safeguarding guidance.
For further details and an application pack please click "Apply on our website"
