Assistant Cook

The Witherslack Group; Watford; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 31,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Full induction and on-the-job training

Full school holidays

Wellbeing support

Medical cover & discounts

Employee assistance

Job summary

The Witherslack Group is recruiting a school cook for Felden Hall School near Hemel Hempstead. You will prepare and serve nutritious meals for pupils aged 5–16, staff and visitors, in a busy school kitchen while following food hygiene rules and safety.

The role is 32 hours per week with a salary of £20,051.83 (FTE £26,694.00) and excellent benefits. Prior catering experience is preferred; a basic Food Hygiene and Safety Certificate is desirable, and you will join an inclusive education provider.

Qualifications

• Experience catering in a professional setting.
• Basic Food Hygiene and Safety Certificate preferred.
• Be hard working, friendly and dependable.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals for pupils, staff and visitors.
• Follow food hygiene rules and health and safety in the kitchen.
• Help plan meals considering dietary requirements and preferences.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and equipment to an excellent standard.

Skills

Catering experience

Education

Basic Food Hygiene and Safety Certificate

Job description

£20,051.83 (FTE £26,694.00) + Excellent benefits Please note: the above salary is based on the successful candidate working 32 hours per week

Huge Small Victories

Being a cook in our school means being part of something big. You'll be working at the heart of the school, preparing and serving tasty, nutritious food to our young people, staff and visitors

Get out what you put inYou'll be expected to follow food hygiene rules and keep health and safety in mind, but the key is to create varied menus that encourage our young people to try new food. You'll help plan meals, taking into account any specific dietary requirements.

• Have experience catering in a professional setting, but if you're a competent home cook we'd still like to hear from you
• Ideally have a basic Food Hygiene and Safety Certificate
• Be hard working, friendly and dependable

Opened in Spring 2026, Felden Hall School is a purpose built, brand new, state of the art school for up to 115 pupils. The school provides education for pupils aged 5 - 16 and caters to children with a wide range of needs including autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. This new exciting opportunity serves Hemel Hempstead and the wider communities, you are at the heart of its development. Our aim is to ensure that every pupil has an outstanding educational experience with individual pupil progress and care at the heart of what is offered., At Witherslack Group, inclusion is part of who we are. We're committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and that they truly belong.

As a specialist provider of education and care for children and young people with special educational needs, we understand the importance of embracing individuality and championing difference- especially when it comes to neurodiversity. We celebrate diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and the unique strengths that each person brings to our community.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are proud to be recognised as an inclusive employer and are committed to making our recruitment and workplace practices inclusive and accessible. If you need any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process or in the workplace, we'll be there every step of the way.

The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost) and an online search. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the

We know you're going to do great things. For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the education sector. With us, you'll get to bring learning to life and make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people - plus you'll get:

• Training: A full induction and on the job training
• Holiday: You'll work hard at WG, so you'll be rewarded with full school holidays
• Flexible benefits: meaning you can increase/decrease benefits such as life insurance - check out our benefits here
• Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing
• tools and advice including employee assistance
• Medical cover so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high-street discounts
• Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities - check out our schools here
• A recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time