Assistant Cook

Wiltshire Career Site; Marlborough; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Happy school community

Supportive team

Rewarding role

Modern facilities

Kindness and wellbeing

Job summary

Marlborough St Mary’s Primary School is seeking an Assistant Cook to join our friendly school kitchen team. The role supports the Head Cook with day-to-day operations, food prep, serving meals and maintaining high hygiene standards in a busy dining hall.

The post is term-time only, 27 hours 30 minutes per week (9:00–14:30, Monday to Friday), with 38 weeks a year plus 5.7 weeks holiday pay. Previous catering experience is helpful; training, including Food Hygiene, will be provided.

Qualifications

• Previous catering or kitchen experience would be an advantage.
• Training including Food Hygiene and Food Allergy Awareness will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with food preparation and cooking, serving meals and helping to set up the dining hall.
• Washing up, cleaning and sanitising kitchen areas, equipment, tables and chairs.

Job description

Salary: £26,016 - £26,847 FTE (D4 - 6)

Hours of work: 9.00 am – 2.30 pm (5 days per week, Monday to Friday) 27 hours and 30 min per week, term time only, 38 weeks a year plus 5.7 holiday pay

Contract: Permanent

This is not a Wiltshire Council vacancy therefore please contact Marlborough St Mary’s Primary School for further information.

A bit about us:

The Governors of Marlborough St Mary’s Primary School are seeking a friendly, enthusiastic and reliable Assistant Cook to join our welcoming and dedicated school kitchen team.

We are a modern primary school in the heart of Marlborough, with a strong sense of community and a commitment to ensuring every child feels happy, safe and supported. Our motto, “Together we believe, learn and achieve,” reflects our values of inclusion, kindness and wellbeing, which are at the heart of everything we do.

We are proud of our welcoming and inclusive environment, excellent facilities and the positive experiences we provide for our pupils. Following our inspection in January 2025, Ofsted recognised exceptional provision across the school, praising our welcoming environment, exemplary pupil behaviour, exceptional personal development and high-quality support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

Mealtimes are an important part of the school day and our kitchen team plays a valuable role in creating a positive, enjoyable and welcoming experience for all our children.

All about the role:

We are looking for someone who is:

• Friendly, enthusiastic and positive, with a genuine interest in food and catering.
• Reliable, hardworking and able to use their initiative.
• Supporting the Head Cook in the smooth day-to-day running of the kitchen and taking responsibility for leading the kitchen team in their absence.
• A strong team player who enjoys working alongside others in a busy kitchen environment.
• Organised and able to work efficiently to help ensure meals are prepared and served on time.
• Committed to maintaining high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and health and safety.
• Comfortable using computers and willing to learn and use the school's computer systems as part of the role.
• Flexible and happy to undertake a variety of duties, including food preparation, serving, washing up and cleaning.
• Able to follow instructions and school procedures, with a good understanding of food hygiene.

The role will include assisting with food preparation and cooking, serving meals and helping to set up the dining hall. You will also help with washing up, cleaning and sanitising kitchen areas, equipment, tables and chairs.

Previous catering or kitchen experience would be an advantage. The successful candidate will also be required to undertake relevant training, including Food Hygiene and Food Allergy Awareness.

In return, we offer:

• A happy, caring and inclusive school community.
• A friendly and supportive team.
• A rewarding role where you can make a positive contribution to children's daily school experience.
• A welcoming and modern school environment.
• The opportunity to be part of a school that values kindness, teamwork and wellbeing.
• A big Labrador but not in the Kitchen!

Closing date (and time): 12:00pm Tuesday 24th November 2026

Interview date: TBC

Commencement date: TBC

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check before appointment is confirmed.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants must disclose all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings that are not ‘protected’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 & 2020). An enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful applicant.