School Cook Vacancy - Independent Sen School In Milton Keynes!

Marchant Recruitment; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Marchant Recruitment is helping an independent SEN school in Milton Keynes to recruit a dedicated School Cook. You will prepare fresh, nutritious meals for pupils and staff, catering to dietary needs while creating a welcoming dining environment.

You will work in a supportive school community, ensuring high standards of food hygiene and safety, and contribute to wellbeing and inclusion through thoughtful menu planning and safe food handling.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working as a cook, chef or catering professional.
• Knowledge of preparing nutritious meals in line with dietary requirements.
• A strong understanding of food hygiene, food safety and safe kitchen practices.
• The ability to cater for allergies, intolerances and individual dietary needs.
• Good organisation skills and the ability to manage kitchen tasks effectively.
• A positive, flexible approach and the ability to work well as part of a team.
• A caring and patient attitude towards children and young people with special educational needs.
• A commitment to maintaining high standards of cleanliness, safety and professionalism.
• A willingness to follow the school's safeguarding policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and cooking nutritious, well-balanced meals for pupils and staff.
• Planning menus that offer variety, flavour and suitable nutritional value.
• Adapting meals to accommodate allergies, intolerances, medical dietary requirements and individual food preferences.
• Supporting pupils with sensory sensitivities and specific food-related needs through thoughtful meal preparation and presentation.
• Maintaining excellent standards of food hygiene, kitchen cleanliness and safe food handling.
• Managing stock levels, ordering ingredients and minimising food waste.
• Ensuring food is stored, prepared and served in line with food safety requirements.
• Working collaboratively with school staff to support pupils’ wellbeing and create a welcoming mealtime environment.
• Following safeguarding procedures and contributing to the school's commitment to keeping children and young people safe.

Job description

• School Cook

• Full-Time

• Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

• School Type: Independent SEN School

• Start Date: ASAP

Are you a passionate and creative cook who takes pride in preparing delicious, nutritious meals? Would you love to use your culinary skills to make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people with special educational needs?

We are working with a welcoming independent SEN school in Milton Keynes to recruit a dedicated and enthusiastic School Cook. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who understands that great school food is about more than what is on the plate — it is about creating a positive dining experience, supporting student wellbeing and helping every pupil feel comfortable, included and cared for.

Your Kitchen, Your Creativity, Your Impact

As School Cook, you will play an important role in the daily life of the school, preparing fresh, balanced and appealing meals that cater to a range of tastes, dietary requirements and individual needs.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Preparing and cooking nutritious, well-balanced meals for pupils and staff.

• Planning menus that offer variety, flavour and suitable nutritional value.

• Adapting meals to accommodate allergies, intolerances, medical dietary requirements and individual food preferences.

• Supporting pupils with sensory sensitivities and specific food-related needs through thoughtful meal preparation and presentation.

• Maintaining excellent standards of food hygiene, kitchen cleanliness and safe food handling.

• Managing stock levels, ordering ingredients and minimising food waste.

• Ensuring food is stored, prepared and served in line with food safety requirements.

• Working collaboratively with school staff to support pupils’ wellbeing and create a welcoming mealtime environment.

• Following safeguarding procedures and contributing to the school's commitment to keeping children and young people safe.

Why Join This Independent SEN School?

This is an opportunity to become part of a school community where every member of staff contributes to pupils' daily experiences and development.

You will have the chance to use your cooking skills in an environment that values individual needs, inclusion and the importance of a positive, supportive atmosphere.

What you can look forward to:

• A meaningful role where your work makes a difference every day.

• The opportunity to create meals that support pupils' health, wellbeing and enjoyment.

• A supportive team environment where collaboration is valued.

• The chance to develop menus and bring fresh ideas to the kitchen.

• A varied and rewarding role within a specialist educational setting.

• The satisfaction of helping create a safe, welcoming and enjoyable dining experience for pupils.

Are You the Ingredient We're Looking For?

We are looking for a reliable, organised and enthusiastic individual who takes pride in their work and understands the importance of catering for children and young people with additional needs.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous experience working as a cook, chef or catering professional, ideally in a school or similar setting.

• Knowledge of preparing nutritious meals in line with dietary requirements.

• A strong understanding of food hygiene, food safety and safe kitchen practices.

• The ability to cater for allergies, intolerances and individual dietary needs.

• Good organisation skills and the ability to manage kitchen tasks effectively.

• A positive, flexible approach and the ability to work well as part of a team.

• A caring and patient attitude towards children and young people with special educational needs.

• A commitment to maintaining high standards of cleanliness, safety and professionalism.

• A willingness to follow the school's safeguarding policies and procedures.

Relevant food hygiene qualifications would be advantageous. The successful candidate will be required to meet the school's safer recruitment and safeguarding requirements.

Position: School Cook
Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Setting: Independent SEN School
Contract: Full-time
Start Date: ASAP