Cook Manager

Prospere Learning Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 25,000; Part time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a Cook Manager to join Prospere Learning Trust at Orchard House High School, working 30 hours per week during term time. The role includes managing a catering team, ensuring high standards of food service, and providing customer-focused service within an educational setting.

Benefits

High quality CPD for all roles

Bupa Level 1 Health Plan

Generous Pension Contribution

Good holidays - 26 days annual leave

Flexible working options

Mental Health First Aid in every school

Employee Assistance Programmes

Qualifications

• Experience managing catering services with high food quality standards.
• Operational experience in a catering facility.
• Prepared to travel between sites for induction and training.

Responsibilities

• Manage a quality, cost-effective catering service.
• Supervise team and ensure compliance with menu requirements.
• Carry out efficient financial administration.

Skills

Food Quality

Customer Service

Team Management

Education

NVQ Level 2 Food Preparation and Cooking

Job description

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Cook Manager to join our fantastic team at our new Orchard House High School.

This is a Grade 3, permanent part time post working 30 hours per week, term time only plus 5 INSET days. The starting salary is £17,992 and the full time equivalent is £24,404.

We’re looking for:
A suitably qualified Cook Supervisor, you must hold or be working towards NVQ Level 2 Food Preparation and Cooking or an equivalent qualification with operational experience of a catering facility, where high standards of food quality, service and attention to detail are paramount. The ideal candidate will adhere to pre-planned menus to ensure compliance with legislative client requirements and customer needs, support the Catering Manager in managing a team and be responsible for human resources including training and development, managing attendance, and completing payroll returns. They will also need to provide a customer focused service, which is courteous and responsive and always meets the client’s needs.

Please note our new school site is due to open in Miles Platting October 2025, prior to this the team will be working across other trust sites to complete induction and training, successful applicants will be expected to travel during this time.

Main purpose of the job:
Reporting to the School Operations Manager and the Head of Catering you will work closely with catering team members and lunchtime organisers. You will be responsible for the safe, effective, and efficient operation of all aspects of the catering service including supervision of the team, cash reconciliation and the completion of all financial returns.

Key responsibilities include:

• Manage a quality, cost effective catering service in accordance with service level agreements (SLAs) or contracts and legislative requirements.
• Adhere to pre-planned menus to ensure compliance with legislative client requirements and customer needs.
• Carry out efficient financial administration, following Prospere Trust financial regulations.
• Provide a customer focused service, which is courteous and responsive and always meets the client’s needs.
• Support the Catering Manager in managing the team in promoting equal opportunities in the workplace and delivering services, which are accessible and appropriate to the diverse needs of service users.

To find out more about the full responsibilities of the role and/or to ensure you meet the essential criteria, please review the attached job description.

You can view our Orchard House High School prospectus and find further information here Orchard House High School - Prospere Learning Trust

All school staff are expected to share the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Specific safeguarding responsibilities are detailed in the attached job description.

Working for Prospere Learning Trust

Great schools thrive because of the great people in them. We invest in our staff to achieve their full potential and offer a range of benefits including.

• High quality CPD for all roles
• Bupa Level 1 Health Plan - annual cash back allowance for a range of every day health care expenses
• Generous Pension Contribution - over 26% for teachers and over 17% for support staff
• Good holidays – teachers as per School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document; non-teachers receive 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days with 5 years' service
• Cyclescheme - save up to 39% on a bike and accessories and get Strava for free
• Employee Assistance Programmes - including access to free counselling and 24/7 helplines
• Credit Union - regular savings, Christmas saving scheme and access to affordable loans
• Flexible working options - we're happy to talk flexible working where possible
• Mental Health First Aid in every school
• Blue Light Card - discounts on holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more
• bYond cashback card - spend smarter with a prepaid cashback card for your everyday purchases

Visit our website to learn more about our Trust: prospere.org.uk

About Orchard House and Prospere Learning Trust

Orchard House is a brand new school which will be dedicated to providing exceptional education and support for students with Significant Learning Difficulties (SLD) and/or Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) from the age of 11- 19 years.

Opening in September 2025, our school is committed to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student can thrive.

We aim to empower our students with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their educational journey and beyond.

View our prospectus here.

Prospere Learning Trust is a high performing, inclusive and innovative Trust comprising of 9 schools, including 4 mainstream high schools and 5 special needs schools (both primary and secondary) with further schools anticipated across Greater Manchester.

We currently employ over 1000 staff and we believe that our staff play a vital role in achieving our vision of an exceptional education for all. We believe that great schools thrive because of the great people in them.

We are driven by our core values:

• Inclusion - we recognise people need different levels of support to achieve equitable outcomes.
• Comprehensive education – we welcome all people from our local community.
• Excellence – high standards institutionally, academically and in personal development.
• Expertise – great schools thrive because of the great people in them. We invest in all our staff to achieve their potential.
• Collaboration – we believe we are stronger together.
• Reflection – we are underpinned by thoughtful use of relevant evidence and research.

At Prospere Learning Trust, we pride ourselves in being a great place to learn, work, and grow. We have a resolute focus on developing the quality of education in all of our schools.

To support our staff, we come together as a collaborative learning community, with a strong culture of professional development and mutual support.

Job Application Information

Please apply using the online application form; incomplete applications may not be considered. CVs are not accepted. Early applications are encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

As per Keeping Children Safe in Education, we conduct online searches on shortlisted candidates to identify any relevant issues for interview discussion. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure declaration, declaring any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. Information will be provided on where to seek guidance on whether certain offences are now protected and should not be disclosed within the self-disclosure form.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 all positions within the School are exempt. Therefore, we are entitled to carry out Enhanced Disclosure checks for all staff and volunteers. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relating to children.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; we do not sponsor visa applications. If you’ve lived or worked outside the UK in the last five years, additional information will be required. Job offers are contingent on satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references.

Safeguarding Commitment

All schools within the Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

Equality Statement

Prospere Learning Trust values diversity and welcomes applications from all candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.

For application packs or support, contact us at 0161 527 7953 or [e-mail].