School Cook

Acorn Care and Education; Chorley; On-site; GBP 20,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist educational institution in Chorley is looking for a School Cook to create nutritious meals that energize students. This role requires a qualified cook with a passion for fresh food and a commitment to student wellbeing. Responsibilities include designing balanced menus, ensuring food quality, and maintaining hygiene standards. Benefits include life assurance, a pension scheme, and well-being support.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Health and wellbeing benefits

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Family Growth Support

Qualifications

• A qualified cook with experience in a busy kitchen.
• Flair for flavour and a love for fresh food.
• Genuine care for young people’s wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Cook vibrant, nutritious meals for pupils.
• Design balanced and inclusive menus.
• Maintain high hygiene and food quality standards.

Skills

Qualified cook

Experience in a busy kitchen

Team player

Creative and organized

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ in Catering or equivalent

Job description

Job Title: School Cook

Location: Waterloo Lodge School, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 7AX

Salary: £19,318.94 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 26.5 hours per week | Monday to Thursday 08:00–14:00 | Friday 10:00–12:30

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Start: December 2025

UK applicants only – this role does not offer visa sponsorship

About the Role

As our School Cook, you’ll be the heart of our school community — creating fresh, delicious, and nutritious meals that fuel our pupils for learning, play, and everything in between.

Every day, you’ll bring energy and creativity to the kitchen, crafting meals that not only meet dietary needs but also put smiles on faces.

Responsibilities

• Cook up vibrant, nutritious meals that keep pupils energised and ready to learn
• Design menus that are balanced, tasty, and inclusive of all dietary needs
• Maintain top‑tier hygiene, safety, and food quality standards — because excellence is your recipe
• Take pride in presentation — every plate leaving your kitchen looks as good as it tastes
• Manage stock smartly: ordering, rotating, and minimising waste like a pro
• Work as part of a friendly, supportive team that values your ideas and passion
• Help make lunchtime a highlight of every school day

Who we’re looking for

• A qualified cook (City & Guilds/NVQ in Catering or equivalent) with experience in a busy kitchen
• Someone with a flair for flavour, a love for fresh food, and a genuine care for young people’s wellbeing
• A team player who thrives in a buzzing, positive environment
• A creative, organised chef who takes pride in every plate they serve

About Us

Waterloo Lodge is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 18, catering for pupils with a wide range of needs in Lancashire, Manchester and surrounding areas. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life.

Why join Options Autism

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 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

• 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 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.