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- Tasks: Prepare and serve nutritious meals while leading a skilled team in a vibrant school environment.
- Company: Join the Witherslack Group, a leader in special education and care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, full school holidays, medical cover, and flexible benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives through delicious food and meaningful connections.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in Food Safety in Catering or equivalent required.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that champions individuality and neurodiversity.
The predicted salary is between 24796 - 25583 £ per year.
Being a cook in our school means being part of something big. You will be working at the heart of the school, preparing and serving tasty, nutritious food to our young people, staff and visitors. You will supervise a skilled team and plan nutritious menus for our young people. You will also need to make sure that the school meets food hygiene regulations and nutritional standards. Being a cook in charge at our schools means you will get to build fantastic relationships with all of our staff and young people, by doing what you do best.
Opening in Autumn term 2026, Ardenwood School will operate as the primary campus of The Secret Garden School, an all-through school, spanning primary and secondary across two sites. Ardenwood is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art primary campus and will cater for up to 40 pupils with a wide range of needs, including autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. This new exciting opportunity serves Coventry and the wider communities; our aim is to ensure that every pupil will continue to receive an outstanding educational experience, with individual progress, care and wellbeing at the centre of everything we do.
For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the education sector. With us, you will get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people plus you will get:
- Training: A full induction and on the job training
- Holiday: You will work hard at WG, so you will be rewarded with full school holidays
- Flexible benefits: meaning you can increase/decrease benefits such as life insurance
- Medical cover: so you can claim back the cost of things like an optician 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. Have a Level 3 qualification in Food Safety in Catering (or equivalent).
At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality and championing difference - especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths that each person brings to our community.
By building a diverse and inclusive team, we are better able to support the children, young people and families we serve and ensure every member of our team can thrive, grow, and be their authentic self. 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.
SEN School Cook in Coventry employer: Witherslack Group
Contact Detail:
Witherslack Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SEN School Cook in Coventry
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research Ardenwood School and The Secret Garden School. Understanding their values and mission will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Since you'll be preparing nutritious meals, consider showcasing your culinary talents during the interview. Bring along a sample menu or even a dish that reflects your style and understanding of nutrition.
✨Tip Number 3
Build relationships! During your interview, emphasise your ability to connect with young people and staff. Share examples of how you've fostered positive relationships in previous roles, as this is key to thriving in a school environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through our platform, so make sure you submit it there. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure you don’t miss out on any updates.
We think you need these skills to ace SEN School Cook in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: When writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share why you’re excited about preparing nutritious meals for young people and how you can make a difference in their lives.
Highlight Your Experience: Make sure to mention any relevant experience you have, especially in catering or working with children. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission of providing outstanding educational experiences.
Be Clear About Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to include your Level 3 qualification in Food Safety in Catering (or equivalent). This is crucial for us to know that you meet the necessary standards for food hygiene and safety.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Witherslack Group
✨Know Your Menu
Before the interview, take some time to research and think about nutritious menu options that cater to diverse dietary needs. Be ready to discuss how you would create meals that are not only tasty but also meet food hygiene regulations and nutritional standards.
✨Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills
As a cook in charge, you'll be supervising a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past, focusing on collaboration and building relationships. Highlight any experience you have in training or mentoring others, especially in a kitchen environment.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Inclusion
With the focus on diversity and inclusion at the school, be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to this ethos. Share your understanding of working with children with special educational needs and how you can adapt your cooking to support their unique requirements.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the school's approach to nutrition and how they involve staff in menu planning. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can fit into their community.
