School Cook in Stockport

At the heart of the Trust's vision is a belief that students deserve the best educational experience with aspirational curriculum provision and enrichment opportunities. The Trust strives for personal and academic achievement within a safe, inclusive and enriched learning environment, opening minds, doors to learning opportunities and pathways to successful futures. The Achieve and Learn Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

JOB PURPOSE: To assist and contribute to the delivery of a safe, healthy and quality school catering service under the direction of the Catering Manager.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Catering Manager and Supervisor with food planning, preparation, cooking duties and all other catering services within the school kitchen.
• Prepare specified home-cooked meals in accordance with the menus provided, with agreed recipes and ingredients and accurately timed for specific service times.
• Support the Catering Manager and Supervisor with designing new meals which are both nutritionally balanced and cost effective.
• Handle food on stoves, including beating, mixing, blending, checking, testing, stirring and loading/unloading of cooking vessels.
• Check all meals ready to be served for quality, quantity and appearance.
• Prepare equipment, weighing, mixing, rolling and operating kitchen machinery.
• Be customer focused at all times by being approachable and exceeding expectations in delivering customer needs.
• Manage and control all food including receiving and checking stock and ensuring equipment and materials are used correctly.
• Ensure routine data is collected and that daily checks (including temperature control) during production, preparation, service and storage are carried out effectively.
• Ensure waste is controlled with regard to preparation and cooking.
• Maintain the highest standard of health, hygiene and safety.
• Support with day-to-day cleaning and specialised cleaning of kitchen equipment, work surfaces, floors and storage areas under high hygiene controls.
• Operate the school's cashless catering till system, ensuring correct prices are charged for items purchased.
• Assist in receipt and safe storage of deliveries and removal of kitchen waste to designated refuse areas.
• Actively assist in supporting the school's five-star food hygiene rating.
• Attend relevant training to perform the role effectively and comply with policies and procedures (Health and Safety, Food Hygiene, Food Standards, Allergens, Risk Assessments, etc.).
• Maintain confidentiality of information acquired in undertaking duties for the school.

General Requirements

• Work towards and support the academy vision and objectives outlined in the Academy Improvement Plan.
• Contribute to the school's programme of extracurricular activities and safeguarding commitments.
• Work within the school’s health and safety policy to ensure a safe working environment for staff, students and visitors.
• Promote equality of opportunity in line with the Trust’s Equality Objectives.
• Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and relations with students, parents/carers and colleagues.
• Adhere to policies and circulars.
• Undertake other duties commensurate with the grading of the post as directed by the Headteacher.

Person Specification

• Ideally experience of working within a high-volume food business with fresh ingredients; passion for cooking; enjoy working in a busy kitchen and hands-on roles. NVQ Level 3 is desirable but not essential.
• Able to deliver a high standard of customer service; proactive with initiative; committed, flexible and enthusiastic.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to obtain within 6 months) and Food Allergen Certificate (or willingness to obtain within 6 months) are essential.
• Good spoken and written communication.
• Experience creating and preparing homemade meals suitable for a secondary school environment (essential). Knowledge of current food hygiene and health and safety legislation; awareness of healthy eating, nutrition and allergens (essential).
• Ability to relate well to people at all levels with tact and diplomacy; honesty, energy, stamina and enthusiasm; flexible and able to work under pressure; enjoys working with young people.
• Professional yet approachable demeanor; adherence to uniform/protective clothing requirements.
• Desirable: Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate, Food Allergen Certificate, NVQ Level 1/2 in Catering and Hospitality, experience delivering catering in a school/high-volume environment, familiarity with the Healthy Schools Programme, knowledge of Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Method of Assessment

• A = Application form, C = Certificate, E = Exercise, I = Interview, P = Presentation.

About the School

Reddish Vale High School is part of the Achieve and Learn Trust. The school is undergoing growth and investment to enhance facilities, teaching resources and staff development. We are seeking to appoint talented and motivated individuals to join our team. The successful candidate will be based at Reddish Vale High School, Stockport, with a 36.25 hour week, 26 days of holiday (plus Bank Holidays), rising to 31 days after five years of service. The post is salaried; overtime is not paid unless due to exceptional circumstances. There is free on-site parking, an on-site canteen, a staff room with free refreshments, an Employee Assistance Programme, and access to Occupational Health and Counselling. The school maintains a no-smoking policy across sites and operates a strict hygiene and safety culture. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The position is based at Reddish Vale High School, Stockport, within the Achieve and Learn Trust.