School Chef/Cook

Acorn Care and Education; Stonegate; On-site; GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education provider in Stonegate is seeking a School Chef/Cook. You will be responsible for planning and preparing nutritious meals for pupils and staff, leading a motivated kitchen team, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards. The position offers a salary of up to £26,250 per annum with a 4-Day Working Week. The ideal candidate is passionate about food, possesses strong leadership skills, and has the relevant qualifications. Join us in making a positive impact on young learners’ lives.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Qualifications

• Ability to create nutritious, high-quality meals for diverse dietary needs.
• Experience leading and supervising kitchen staff.
• Understanding of food hygiene, COSHH, and Health & Safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and deliver nutritious meals for pupils and staff.
• Lead and supervise kitchen staff.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene and safety standards.
• Manage stock levels and costs.

Skills

Passion for high-quality meals

Leadership skills

Organizational skills

Flexibility and responsiveness

Education

GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent)

Job description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title: School Chef/Cook

Location: Bricklehurst Manor School, Stonegate, East Sussex, TN5 7EL

Salary: Up to £26,250.00 per annum depending on experience (not pro rata)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Contract: Permanent | Term Time plus 1 weeks

Start: February 2026

UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship

Are you an enthusiastic and skilled Chef who loves creating high-quality meals that bring joy to young learners? Do you thrive in a leadership role where your expertise can shape not only menus, but also a positive, nourishing environment for staff and pupils?

At Bricklehurst Manor School, you will be at the heart of our community, managing and inspiring a talented kitchen team while delivering exceptional meals tailored to the diverse dietary needs of our school. This is your chance to make a real difference every day — fueling learning, wellbeing, and a vibrant school culture.

About the Role

As our School Cook, you’ll play a key role in creating delicious, nutritious meals that fuel our pupils and staff every day. Working at the heart of the school, you’ll bring warmth, creativity, and professionalism to our kitchen—ensuring everyone is well-fed, cared for, and ready to learn.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Plan, prepare, and deliver nutritious, high-quality meals for pupils and staff.
• Lead and supervise all kitchen staff, fostering teamwork, development, and professionalism.
• Ensure kitchens are clean, safe, and fully compliant with food hygiene, COSHH, and Health & Safety standards.
• Monitor stock levels, control costs, and minimise waste while maintaining high standards.
• Cater for special dietary requirements and respond flexibly to urgent or last-minute requests.
• Order supplies, manage deliveries, and liaise with suppliers to ensure accuracy and quality.
• Conduct staff supervisions, appraisals, and support training and ongoing development.
• Uphold the values, ethos, and reputation of Bricklehurst Manor School within the wider community.
• Contribute to a culture of safeguarding, respect, and wellbeing for all pupils and staff.

Who We’re Looking For

We want a Chef/Cook who is:

• Passionate about creating high-quality meals and leading a motivated kitchen team.
• Organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities in a busy environment.
• A strong leader who can inspire staff, delegate effectively, and maintain high standards.
• Flexible and responsive, able to adapt to changing needs of pupils and the school.
• Committed to Health & Safety, food hygiene, and maintaining a professional kitchen environment.
• GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent) are essential.

At Bricklehurst Manor, you’ll be part of a close-knit, forward-thinking team that values creativity, wellbeing, and collaboration. This isn’t just a School Cook job — it’s a chance to help build something extraordinary from the ground up.

About the School

Bricklehurst Manor School is a brand-new, co-educational SEMH school located in Wadhurst, East Sussex, for pupils aged 11–16. The school will cater for up to 60 pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and associated additional needs.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• A market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit