School Catering Officer / Cook (Education Sector)

About the School

We are a highly respected, holistic alternative education provision with a network of dedicated campuses across the region. Our schools offer a smaller, nurturing, and highly individualised approach for vulnerable young people who thrive outside of mainstream education. Committed to a proactive "Safer School Culture", we work hard to ensure every pupil feels happy, supported, and well prepared to make a positive transition into further education, employment, or training.

Location & Salary

• Location: Barnoldswick / Barlick, Lancashire (BB18)
• Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
• Job Type: Permanent, Term Time
• Holiday: 54 days holiday, including public holidays; pro rota if part time or part year

The Role

We are seeking a hardworking, motivated, and compassionate Catering Officer to operate, manage, and develop the food service at our Barnoldswick (Barlick) campus. This is a highly rewarding role where you will do far more than just cook - you will play a vital part in our nurturing environment, ensuring our young people and staff receive high quality, nutritious meals daily. From menu planning to kitchen compliance, you will have the autonomy to shape an efficient, creative, and welcoming catering service.

Key Responsibilities

• Menu Planning & Preparation: Plan and prepare innovative, creative, and nutritious balanced menus in line with national "7 a day" guidelines, catering seamlessly to various dietary requirements.
• Kitchen Management & Compliance: Maintain the highest standards of food hygiene and safety in line with current Food Safety Legislation, manage daily cleanliness and conduct weekly deep cleans.
• Budgetary Control: Manage kitchen expenditure efficiently, keeping food and supply costs strictly within authorised budget limits while minimising and recycling wastage.
• School Community Support: Maintain the total security and safety of the kitchen and stockrooms; report equipment faults promptly. Support school events, inset days, parent evenings, and elements of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme.
• Safeguarding: Follow all institutional safeguarding policies, maintaining a vigilant, safe, and transparent learning and working environment.

Person Specification

• Qualifications: Level 3 Food Safety certification or an NVQ equivalent is essential.
• Experience: Proven experience working confidently within a busy commercial, institutional, or school kitchen environment.
• Skills: Excellent understanding of nutritional menu planning, portion control, and working effectively within defined budget limits.
• Attributes: A calm, resilient, and effective approach under pressure, with interpersonal skills to interact positively with vulnerable young people facing complex barriers to learning.
• Flexibility: Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle with business insurance cover to support broader school needs if required.
• Vetting: Willing to undergo a rigorous Safer Recruitment vetting process, including an Enhanced DBS check and full reference history.

Benefits & Culture

• Comprehensive induction, ongoing professional development (CPD Toolkit), and dedicated coaching.
• A transparent, supportive "no secrets" working environment focused on educational excellence.
• The opportunity to make a tangible, positive impact on the lives of vulnerable children.