School Catering Officer / Cook (Education Sector)

School Catering Officer / Cook (Education Sector)

Holidays - 54 days holiday, including public holidays, Pro rota, if you are part time or join part year.

Location: Barnoldswick / Barlick, Lancashire (BB18)

Salary: Competitive / Dependent on Experience

Job Type: Permanent, Term-Time

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.

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, managing daily cleanliness and conducting 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 to maintain a vigilant, safe, and transparent learning and working environment.

What We Are Looking For (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 the 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: Must be 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.

How to Apply:

If you have a passion for food, a commitment to compliance, and a desire to work within a safer, nurturing school culture, please submit your CV today for immediate consideration.

#School Cook Barnoldswick#School Catering Officer Barlick
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed