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- Tasks: Create delicious, nutritious meals that fuel young minds and keep everyone happy.
- Company: Join a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people at Hemlock Stone School.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, life assurance, and access to mental health support services.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on students' lives while doing what you love every day.
- Qualifications: Passion for cooking, kitchen management experience, and knowledge of food hygiene standards.
- Other info: Work-life balance with 80% hours for full pay and great career growth opportunities.
Location: Hemlock Stone School, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, NG9 8GA
Salary: £12.50 per hour
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
Start Date: January 2026
This role does not offer sponsorship.
Do you love cooking wholesome, tasty meals — and want to use your skills to make a positive impact on young people’s lives? At Hemlock Stone School, part of Options Autism, we’re looking for a talented and enthusiastic School Cook to lead our kitchen and create nutritious, home‑cooked meals that keep our pupils and staff happy, healthy, and energised.
About The Role
This is your chance to do what you love while knowing your food is fuelling learning, growth, and smiles every single day.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Planning, preparing, and serving nutritious meals that meet all dietary needs and preferences
- Leading daily kitchen operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently
- Maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene, safety, and cleanliness
- Managing stock, monitoring supplies, and minimising food waste
- Working closely with staff to make mealtimes a positive and welcoming part of the school day
Who We’re Looking For
- A passion for cooking and creating delicious, balanced meals
- Experience in kitchen management or large‑scale food preparation
- Knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards (Level 2 Food Hygiene preferred)
- A flexible, organised, and positive team player with great communication skills
About Us
Our New Options Autism School – Hemlock Stone School in Stapleford, Nottinghamshire. The school will have capacity for 66 pupils and is due to open March 2026 and will cater for pupils who have ASC and Complex Needs. For over 16 years Options Autism has 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 proud to have been officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running in 2024.
Benefits
- 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 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
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 Cook employer: Oxford Outcomes
Contact Detail:
Oxford Outcomes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Cook
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research Hemlock Stone School and its values. When you walk in for your interview, show that you understand their mission and how your cooking can contribute to the positive environment they’re creating.
✨Tip Number 2
Bring your A-game to the interview! Be ready to discuss your experience with large-scale food preparation and how you ensure food hygiene. Share specific examples of how you've made mealtimes enjoyable in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for cooking! Talk about your favourite dishes to prepare and how you cater to different dietary needs. This will help the interviewers see your enthusiasm and commitment to providing nutritious meals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the kitchen team dynamics and how they collaborate with staff to create a welcoming atmosphere. This shows you’re not just interested in the job, but also in being part of the community.
We think you need these skills to ace School Cook
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford Outcomes
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the dietary needs and preferences of children, especially those with autism and complex needs. Be ready to discuss how you can create nutritious meals that cater to these requirements, showing your passion for cooking and understanding of food hygiene.
✨Showcase Your Kitchen Management Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed kitchen operations. Highlight your ability to maintain cleanliness, manage stock, and minimise food waste, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Communicate with Confidence
As a School Cook, you'll need to work closely with staff and create a welcoming environment during mealtimes. Practice how you would communicate your ideas and collaborate with others, demonstrating your positive team player attitude.
✨Passion is Key
Let your enthusiasm for cooking shine through! Share why you love creating wholesome meals and how you believe good food can positively impact young people's lives. This will resonate well with the interviewers at Hemlock Stone School.
