Academy Cook

ARK PUTNEY ACADEMY; London; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

ARK Putney Academy is seeking an Academy Cook starting September 2025, responsible for preparing diverse meals for their school community. The ideal candidate will have professional catering qualifications, kitchen experience, and a passion for nurturing student potential while ensuring high standards in food service.

Benefits

Tailored professional development

Wellbeing support and regular rewards

Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale

Generous pension scheme

Access to Ark rewards

Interest-free loans available

Gym discounts

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a busy kitchen.
• Experience of catering in large quantities within a school setting is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and cooking a daily changing menu for breakfast and lunch.
• Ensuring kitchen hygiene and running food service operations.

Skills

Teamwork

Multitasking

Attention to Detail

Passion for student potential

Education

Professional catering qualifications

Job description

About The Role

We are looking to appoint an Academy Cookto join us from 1 September 2025 who will be responsible for preparing and cooking a daily changing menu (breakfast and lunch) to cater for our diverse school community. The role will include all aspects of food preparation, food service, kitchen hygiene and other duties associated with the running of the kitchen and food service operations.

You will have:

• Experience of working in a busy kitchen
• Experience of catering in large quantities within a school setting is desirable
• Professional catering qualifications
• Professional outlook, detailed orientated and able to multitask and meet deadlines
• A team player that can work collaboratively as well as using own initiative
• A genuine passion for and a belief in the potential of every student

If you share our commitment to excellence, we want to hear from you!

If you would like to discuss this opportunity or for any queries, please contact Julie Rickard at [e-mail]

Benefits:

• Tailored professional development based on the needs of the teacher and department to ensure everyone achieves their full potential.
• We also take the wellbeing of our staff seriously as we recognise that teaching can be a challenging profession. Therefore, staff receive regular rewards and recognition for effort.
• Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers
• Interest-free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle.
• Gym discounts – offering up to 40%.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.

Find out more about the benefits of working for Arkhere.

About Us

Ark Putney Academy opened in September 2012 as part of the Ark network in the London Borough of Wandsworth. We’re a mixed school with 790 students, ranging from year 7 through to sixth form.

In our 2022 OFSTED inspection we were rated ‘Good’ in every category.

We adopt a holistic view to educating young people. Through our commitment to inclusion, equality and attainment, we prepare every student to be a pillar ofany community.

We’ve also been celebrating a successful year so far with strong GCSE results that place Ark Putney in the top 20% nationally for progress and ahead of other schools in the local area. This reflects our excellent teaching and the dedication of our staff both to the students and each other.

Visit arkputney.org/jobs to learn more about us and see our current vacancies.

Diversity and inclusion:

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on thislink.

Safeguarding statement:

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click thislink.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.