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- Tasks: Assist in preparing, cooking, and serving nutritious meals for students and staff.
- Company: Join Pontville School, a top-rated specialist school focused on speech and social communication.
- Benefits: Enjoy excellent pay, full school holidays, medical cover, and high-street discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while working in a supportive, diverse environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering is preferred; home cooks are also welcome to apply.
- Other info: This role is part-time during term time, with a commitment to safeguarding young people.
The predicted salary is between 19200 - 28800 £ per year.
£24,027 + Excellent Benefits. Please note: This is a term-time role. You will be expected to assist with the preparation, cooking, and serving of both hot and cold food. This role is part time, 40 hours per week. Full time hours would be 42.6 per week.
Being a cook in our school means being part of something big. You’ll be working at the heart of the school, preparing and serving tasty, nutritious food to our young people, staff and visitors.
You’ll be expected to follow food hygiene rules and keep health and safety in mind, but the key is to create varied menus that encourage our young people to try new food. You’ll help plan meals, taking into account any specific dietary requirements.
Pontville School is an independent specialist day & residential school providing high quality education. With a record of continual outstanding and good Ofsted results, the school based in Ormskirk is regarded by many as the first choice for speech, language and social communication in the UK.
For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the education sector. With us, you’ll get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people – plus you’ll get:
- Training: A full induction and on the job training
- Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with full school holidays
- Flexible benefits: meaning you can increase/decrease benefits such as life insurance
- Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance
- Medical cover: so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high-street discounts
- Beautiful working environments: with the very best facilities
- A recommend a friend scheme: that offers a £1,000 bonus every time
Our young people come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs – and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage and inspire our young people to be themselves.
The kind of person we’re looking for will:
- Have experience catering in a professional setting, but if you’re a competent home cook we’d still like to hear from you
- Ideally have a basic Food Hygiene and Safety Certificate
- Be hard working, friendly and dependable
Our young people deserve the best possible future and we feel the same about our teams. You deserve to have the career you want, with a purpose-led employer, in an environment that allows you to be yourself.
The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.
Assistant Cook employer: Witherslack Group
Contact Detail:
Witherslack Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Cook
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary requirements and preferences of young people, especially in a SEND environment. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your understanding of the role during any interviews or discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for cooking by experimenting with varied menus at home. Bring examples of your creativity and willingness to try new recipes to the interview, as this will highlight your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the education and catering sectors. Attend local events or workshops related to school catering to make connections that could provide insights or even referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Pontville School and its values thoroughly. Understanding their mission and how they support young people will allow you to align your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Cook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Assistant Cook position. Highlight key skills such as food preparation, hygiene standards, and menu planning.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects relevant experience in catering or cooking, even if it's from a home setting. Emphasise any food hygiene certifications and your ability to work in a team environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cooking and working with young people. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your skills and how you can contribute to the school's mission.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, double-check your application for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application shows attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a kitchen environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group
✨Show Your Passion for Cooking
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for cooking and preparing meals, especially in a school environment. Share any experiences you have that highlight your love for food and how it can positively impact young people's lives.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Whether it's professional catering or home cooking, be ready to discuss your experience in the kitchen. Mention specific dishes you've prepared and any dietary considerations you've had to account for, as this will demonstrate your ability to create varied menus.
✨Understand Food Hygiene and Safety
Since the role requires adherence to food hygiene rules, be prepared to talk about your knowledge of food safety practices. If you have a Food Hygiene and Safety Certificate, mention it, and if not, show your willingness to learn and comply with these important regulations.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills
Working in a school kitchen means collaborating with others. Be ready to discuss how you work well in a team, communicate effectively, and adapt to the needs of diverse individuals, including young people with different backgrounds and dietary requirements.
