Assistant Cook at Harrogate Grammar School

Harrogate Grammar School; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Flexible working options

Supportive environment

Community culture

Professional development

Job summary

Harrogate Grammar School is recruiting an Assistant Cook to join our school kitchen team. This term-time role (39 weeks per year) is part-time, 32.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8am–3pm.

You will assist with food preparation and service, and help maintain high standards of food quality, hygiene and presentation for students and staff. You should have experience in a kitchen environment, a positive can-do attitude and be willing to learn.

Qualifications

• Experience in a kitchen environment.
• Commitment to high hygiene standards.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Willingness to learn and develop in role.

Responsibilities

• Assist with food preparation and service.
• Support day-to-day running of the kitchen.
• Help maintain high standards of food quality and presentation.
• Work efficiently during busy break and lunch periods.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Food hygiene

Teamwork

Food safety

Willingness to learn

Tools

Commercial kitchen equipment

Job description

About this Role

Term Time + Training Days (39 weeks per year). Part-Time 32.5 hours per week. Monday to Friday 8am - 3pm.

We are seeking either an Assistant Cook or a Cook to join our experienced team. Although two roles for our school are advertised, only one position is available, with the successful candidate being offered the role that best matches their experience, qualifications, and skills.

We're looking for a friendly, enthusiastic Assistant Cook to join our dedicated school kitchen team and help create meals that our students enjoy every day.

Working closely with the Catering Manager and kitchen team, you'll support the smooth day-to-day running of the kitchen, assist with food preparation and service, and help maintain high standards of food quality, hygiene, and presentation. Our kitchen can be busy, especially at break and lunchtime, but you'll enjoy being part of a hardworking team that delivers a positive dining experience for students and staff.

You’ll have experience working in a kitchen environment, a passion for good food, and a willingness to learn and support others. With a positive, can-do attitude, you’ll work well under pressure, take pride in your work, and contribute to creating a welcoming and healthy dining environment at the heart of our school community.

About our School

At Harrogate Grammar school, we provide a positive and inclusive environment where every student is supported to thrive-academically, personally, and socially. Our talented, engaging, and supportive staff build strong relationships with students, families, and the wider community, creating a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed. We also provide opportunities for professional development, ensuring our team continually grows and evolves.

Our school is a large comprehensive school, where we encourage all children to develop their strengths and feel empowered to be the best that they can be. With over 2000 students and 260 staff at our school, our reputation for excellence is widely recognised and we have an absolute commitment to ensuring that all our young people benefit from what the school has to offer.

We are part of Red Kite Learning Trust, whose mission is to nurture ambition, deliver excellence, and enrich children’s lives. This is achieved by fostering our shared values of collaboration, integrity, and respect. Together, we are committed to delivering excellence across all areas of school life.

Here's what you can expect when you join us:

• Generous pension scheme: Employer contribution rate of 14.90%, plus a wide range of benefits and discounts. Full details HERE


• Flexible working options: We support work-life balance and are open to exploring suitable arrangements


• Supportive environment: We prioritise respect, equality, diversity, and well-being


• Community culture: Collaboration and generosity are at the heart of our team


• Professional development: We invest in your growth at every stage of your career

About You

To be a good fit for this role, you will be:

• Support and train colleagues, offering advice and guidance to maintain excellent standards


• Deliver a high-quality food service in a busy school setting with tight service deadlines


• Be a role model of professionalism, presentation and dedication within the catering team


• Demonstrate strong catering skills, encouraging creativity and keeping up to date with food trends

Applicant Guidance: Red Kite Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure. We are an equal opportunities employer which welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. We are committed to promoting diversity and want a workforce which reflects the local population of each of our schools. Our recruitment guidelines and privacy notice for applicants can be found HERE.