School Cook

Protocol Education Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A nurturing independent school in Islington is seeking a School Cook to prepare healthy, balanced meals for students aged 3–14. You will manage kitchen cleanliness, adhere to dietary requirements, and prepare nutritious meals in a positive work environment. The position offers flexible working arrangements and the opportunity to impact students' wellbeing significantly.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Supportive leadership

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a school or similar environment is ideal.
• Ability to prepare healthy, appealing meals for children.
• Strong understanding of food hygiene and safety.

Responsibilities

• Prepare nutritious meals in line with dietary requirements.
• Manage kitchen cleanliness and safety standards.
• Collaborate with staff to cater to dietary needs.

Skills

Experience in school catering

Passion for healthy meals

Food hygiene knowledge

Reliability and organization

Education

Level 2 or 3 Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Overview

Job Title: School Cook (Term-Time)

Location: Islington, London

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 3:00pm

Contract: Term-time only (Permanent)

About Us

We are a friendly and welcoming independent school in the heart of Islington, dedicated to providing a nurturing and inspiring environment for our pupils. We pride ourselves not only on excellent education but also on serving nutritious, freshly prepared meals that support the health and wellbeing of our children.

The Role

We are seeking a passionate and experienced School Cook to join our team and take the lead in preparing healthy, balanced lunches for our pupils and staff. Working term-time only, you’ll enjoy a great work-life balance with no evening or weekend shifts.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook nutritious meals in line with school dietary requirements and allergy policies.
• Ensure meals are varied, well-presented, and appealing to children aged 3–14.
• Manage stock levels, place orders, and maintain a clean, safe, and organised kitchen.
• Adhere to all food hygiene, health, and safety regulations.
• Work collaboratively with school staff to accommodate special dietary needs.

About You

• Previous experience cooking (in a school, nursery, or similar catering environment would be ideal)
• A passion for creating healthy, child-friendly meals.
• Strong understanding of food hygiene and safety standards (Level 2 or 3 Food Hygiene Certificate or above preferred).
• Reliable, organised, and able to work independently.
• Friendly and approachable, with a positive attitude.

What We Offer

• Flexible working arrangements including full-time, part-time, or supply options.
• Competitive pay scales with prompt weekly payments for supply roles.
• Access to professional development opportunities and training.
• Supportive leadership and a positive school culture.
• A chance to make a meaningful impact on students’ academic and personal growth.

How to Apply

To apply, please send your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience to [e-mail] or call on 0203 219 7731.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.