School Cook

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.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW - and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So whether it's already in place or just around the corner, now's the perfect time to join .

Job Title: School Cook

Location: Woodside Park School, Penge, London SE20 8QU

Salary: Up to £25,000.00 per annum depending on experience ( not pro rata )

Hours: 30 hours per week Monday to Friday 8am - 2pm

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only + 1 week

Start Date: October 2025

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we are delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity for a School Cook to join our close-knit team at Woodside Park School, part of Options Autism.

About the Role

In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for planning, preparing, and delivering high-quality meals that meet the dietary and nutritional needs of our pupils and staff. You will manage and supervise all kitchen staff, ensuring the smooth running of our catering operation and maintaining the highest standards of food quality, hygiene, and safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare menus tailored to the dietary needs of pupils and staff.
• Monitor stock levels, ensuring efficient portion control, date rotation, and adherence to budgetary requirements.
• Set up and clean kitchen areas before and after use, maintaining a safe and hygienic environment.
• Ensure necessary preparation is undertaken to meet daily and weekly requirements.
• Minimise waste and ensure sustainability practices are followed.
• Provide suitable meals for staff and pupils with special dietary requirements.

Who We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate will bring both passion and experience to this role, with:

• Strong knowledge of catering practices, including safe storage and preparation of food.
• Sound understanding of food safety requirements and compliance.
• Experience devising and implementing effective kitchen systems.
• Previous catering experience in a residential, educational, or similar setting.
• Experience in menu planning with consideration for budgets and nutrition.
• Management experience, including supervising and appraising staff.

Qualifications Required

• Relevant culinary and food safety qualifications

About Us

Woodside Park School is a brand-new Options Autism school, located in Penge, South East London. We provide specialist education for up to 36 pupils aged 7-11. Pupils are taught in small class sizes, allowing for personalised learning, and work towards a variety of qualifications tailored to their individual needs and abilities. Our dedicated team creates a nurturing and inclusive environment, where every child is supported to reach their full potential both academically and personally.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. 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 really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you'll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

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

And 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. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.