What skills and experience we're looking for
We are seeking to appointment a Senior Cook to support our busy school canteen between 6:30am and 3.00pm daily. The successful applicant will take a leading role in kitchen management and menu creation, line managing the Cook and Assistant Cooks. The role will involve ensuring that all activities are carried out in accordance with relevant legislation, all equipment is appropriately serviced, and that excellent value for money is achieved in order to provide nutritious meals at competitive prices. The position also will involve ensuring that the canteen is fully staffed, including organising casual till staff.
You will work independently, without direct supervision, reporting to the School Business Manager.
We require:
• A strong team leader who can inspire and motivate a workforce.
• Someone with a passion for delivering quality, healthy food and an appreciation for the need to obtain excellent value for money.
• Good knowledge of health and safety, food safety, and other legal requirements which must be adhered to in in a school kitchen.
• Experience cooking in a busy kitchen, catering to large numbers.
• Good organisation and ICT skills.
What the school offers its staff
We can offer:
• A friendly and supportive working environment, with supportive Senior Leaders.
• The opportunity to build on existing skills and knowledge and be creative in developing the catering provision.
• Strong IT systems to support back-office work, with the benefit of an IT Support Team.
• A generous pension scheme and discounted local gym membership.
Further details about the role
If you have any queries about the post please contact: Anna Saunders, School Business Manager, by calling the school number.
Please send a letter of application together with a completed application form to Mrs Anita Pullen, Headteacher’s PA (apullen@thomas-hardye.net) by the deadline.
You will be contacted only if you are shortlisted for interview.
Wessex MAT will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. In line with KCSIE guidance, this will be part of safer recruitment checks, 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 be on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.
Wessex MAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check and Children’s Barred List check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
Wessex MAT recognises the benefit of having a diverse workforce and is committed to building a workforce which reflects diversity from the communities it serves. The Trust values the contributions from all staff from a wide range of different backgrounds and actively seeks to promote an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. The Trust supports fair promotion and cultural acceptance. Under the provision of the Equality Act 2010 Wessex MAT welcomes applications from everyone and operates a recruitment process which is fair and does not discriminate against or disadvantage anyone because of their age, disability, gender reassignment status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
This role is UK- based and your right to work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.
The pro rata salary shown is based on the number of hours and weeks worked and includes appropriate paid annual leave and bank holiday entitlements. The salary quoted is the annual salary for the position at the time of advert. The salary will be paid in equal monthly instalments and will be adjusted at the start of employment and again if leaving part way through the school year to ensure the correct salary is received for the work completed in an academic year.
Commitment to safeguarding
The Thomas Hardye School is committed to Equal Opportunities and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.