Cook

Role Description

Job Title: School Cook
Location: Paignton, Devon
Salary: £11,337.32 per annum
Hours: Part-Time (20 hours per week), Term Time Only
Contract Type: 6-Month Fixed Term Contract

Are you a passionate cook looking for a rewarding role that offers an excellent work-life balance? Do you want to use your kitchen skills to make a real difference in the lives of young people?

The school:

Devon School is an independent specialist provision for students aged 7 to 18 with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. We pride ourselves on providing a nurturing, supportive, and inclusive environment where every student can thrive. We are now looking for a talented and organized Cook to join our team, lead our small kitchen, and deliver high-quality, nutritious meals to our school community.

What you will do:

• Daily preparation and cooking of fresh, healthy, and high-standard meals from scratch.
• Manage a small, dedicated kitchen team to ensure smooth daily operations.
• Design creative menus with careful attention to diverse dietary needs, allergies, and food trends.
• Provide catering for school meetings, special events, and functions.
• Uphold the highest standards of food hygiene, kitchen cleanliness, and health & safety regulations.
• Attend relevant training sessions and actively support school compliance procedures.

What we are looking for:

• Proven experience successfully managing a kitchen environment.
• Ability to cook fresh, wholesome meals from scratch, with a creative eye for food trends.
• Strong, up-to-date knowledge of food safety, kitchen hygiene, and health & safety regulations.
• Exceptional organizational skills with a collaborative, supportive approach to leading a team.

 Why join us?

• Term-Time Only: Enjoy your holidays with a schedule that aligns perfectly with school term dates.
• Rewarding Environment: Be part of a purpose-driven independent school that truly values community and student well-being.

We pride ourselves on being an Equal Opportunities Employer and we are committed to safeguarding and protecting the young people and service users within our care. All candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Check and reference checks.

We will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination a person who will not on the appointment panel will conduct the search and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.

CareTech Community Services are proud to inform you that they are a Disability Confident Leader.