Cook

Manor Abbey School is a provision for Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils with an EHCP for Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties. The new school in Abbey Hulton, Stoke on Trent opened in September 2024. There was an initial intake of up to 30 pupils across year 7 and 8. The school will progressively fill over 4 years until it reaches its capacity of 70 places. Due to an increase in numbers of pupils, the new role of School Cook will begin in September 2026. We are seeking a motivated, proactive and positive individual to join our dedicated School Team.

As the School Cook, you will lead the day‑to‑day running of the school kitchen, reporting to the Headteacher. You will manage and support the kitchen, ensuring a safe, efficient and welcoming service with high standards of food quality, hygiene and customer care. You will be responsible for menu planning, food preparation, ordering and stock control, ensuring a cost‑effective service that meets the needs of our pupils. This role is key in ensuring compliance with food safety, health and safety and allergen regulations, while promoting a positive dining experience across the school community. This role is permanent, term‑time only plus 3 days during holiday time for deep cleaning duties. The shift pattern during term time can be discussed at interview.

Key Responsibilities and Expectations

• Be inclusive, empathetic, solution‑focused and passionate about offering our pupils and staff good quality and nutritious meals every day.
• Encourage new ideas to ensure meal take‑up is high throughout the year, working alongside staff and pupils.
• Previous experience of working in a catering environment.
• Experience of food preparation.
• Good understanding of Health & Safety and Food Hygiene issues, including COSHH and Manual Handling.
• A working knowledge of The School Food Standards.
• Knowledge of food production and preparation to comply with religious requirements (or willingness to train).
• Knowledge of Safeguarding policy and protocols as they affect an Academy environment.
• A good awareness of Food Allergen matters as they affect an Academy situation.

Qualifications Required

• Level 3 Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering Certificate (or equivalent).
• Level 3 HACCP for Catering and Retail Certificate (or equivalent).
• Training and experience in safe methods of working in a practical environment.
• Willingness to attend appropriate training as required.

Benefits

• An excellent working environment that is well resourced.
• Small class numbers with excellent staffing ratios.
• Support for your role with a dedicated school and central team.
• Continued professional development opportunities.
• Pay progression and recognition of continuous service.
• Generous local government pension scheme.
• Access to Employee Assistance Portals offering cycle and tech schemes, retail discounts, health and wellbeing support and access to fast‑track counselling and physio services.

If you feel you are the right candidate and would like to visit the school, please contact the school office on 01782 354040. You will have the opportunity to meet Mrs Charlotte Cartlidge, Headteacher, and see what Manor Abbey can offer you.

Manor Hall Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be appointed subject to Enhanced DBS and pre‑employment checks, including right to work, confirmation of appropriate qualifications and professional references.

Please note that if you are shortlisted for the role, we may conduct an online search as part of our due diligence on the shortlisted candidates. This may help identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and are publicly available online, which may indicate that you are unsuitable to work with children, and that we may want to explore this with you at interview.