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- Tasks: Create delicious meals that fuel young learners and lead a motivated kitchen team.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking school focused on wellbeing and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week, competitive salary, and excellent health support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while enjoying a great work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Passion for cooking, leadership skills, and GCSE Maths and English required.
- Other info: Be part of a new school shaping its culture and ethos from the ground up.
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 week
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. You’ll take ownership of the daily running of the kitchen, from planning menus to supervising staff, all while ensuring the highest standards of food quality, safety, and hygiene. Your meals will make a real difference, especially for pupils with additional needs who rely on consistent, balanced, and thoughtful catering.
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. This is a unique opportunity to join the school at its inception, helping to shape the culture, ethos, and learning environment. With small class sizes and a strong focus on personalised support, Bricklehurst Manor School provides a nurturing, inclusive setting where every pupil can build confidence, resilience, and achieve their full potential.
We are part of Acorn Education and can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs.
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.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
School Chef/Cook in Stonegate employer: Outcomes First Group
Contact Detail:
Outcomes First Group 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 understand their ethos. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips about the school culture and what they value in a School Chef/Cook.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by thinking about how you can contribute to the school's wellbeing initiatives. Be ready to share examples of how you've created nutritious meals or led a kitchen team in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Bricklehurst Manor.
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 Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills. Mention specific examples of how you've led a kitchen team or catered for special dietary needs — this will help us see why you're the perfect fit for our school.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to understand your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! This ensures that we receive all your details correctly and helps us keep track of your application. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Outcomes First Group
✨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 how your culinary skills can enhance the students' experience.
✨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 and safety standards. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in the kitchen and how you would maintain a safe and clean environment for both staff and pupils.
✨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 menus on short notice. Show that you're flexible and can respond effectively to the needs of the school and its pupils.
