School Cook

We work smarter so that you can enjoy the things that matter outside of work

Job Title:  School Cook
Location:  Bradford Beacon School, Rooley Lane, Bradford, BD5 8LJ
Hours:      30 hours per week | Monday - Friday | 8am - 2pm
Salary:      £20,000 per annum (not pro rata) 
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        September
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

As our School Cook, you'll be responsible for the day-to-day running of the school kitchen, ensuring pupils receive healthy, balanced meals that cater to a wide range of dietary needs. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, you'll maintain the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, and kitchen organisation while creating meals that pupils genuinely enjoy.

You'll oversee stock management, maintain accurate food safety records, minimise waste, and ensure the kitchen operates efficiently and in line with all statutory regulations.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Preparing, cooking and serving fresh, nutritious meals each day.
• Catering for allergies, special dietary requirements and individual needs.
• Maintaining exceptional food hygiene and health & safety standards.
• Managing stock levels, deliveries and food rotation to minimise waste.
• Completing food safety documentation and maintaining accurate records.
• Keeping the kitchen clean, organised and fully compliant.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues, suppliers and school leaders.
• Playing an active role in safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of every pupil.

About you

• A City & Guilds or NVQ in Catering (or equivalent).
• Experience working within a catering or kitchen environment.
• Excellent food preparation and presentation skills.
• A good understanding of food hygiene and kitchen safety.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• A flexible, reliable and positive approach.
• A genuine commitment to supporting children and young people.

Experience in menu planning, working to a catering budget, or within a school kitchen would be an advantage but isn't essential.

About Us

Bradford Beacon School, opened in September 2025, is a brand-new specialist independent school for children aged 4–11 with autism and associated complex needs. Set in a purpose-built, thoughtfully refurbished environment, the school provides a safe, nurturing, and inclusive setting where every child feels valued. Pupils follow a broad, enriched curriculum that develops communication, social, emotional, and life skills alongside academic achievement. With personalised teaching and therapeutic support from a dedicated staff and clinical team, every child’s individual needs are met. As the school grows to 42 pupils over the next two years, there is an exciting opportunity to help shape its inclusive, supportive culture. Bradford Beacon celebrates every step of progress, empowering pupils to reach their full potential and thrive.

For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the 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.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

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.

#1