School Cook

40 hours per week, 40 weeks per year

Actual Salary

£23,284.72 FTE £26,538.48 Hourly rate (holiday incl.) £14.55 per hour

We have an exciting opportunity for a School Cook to join the team at our new Ashdown Garden School, in Forest Row.

The school is opening in 2026 and is based near the Emerson College site near the beautiful Ashdown Forest and the village of Forest Row.

In this role you will be supporting pupil learning and wellbeing through the preparation of high‑quality meals and by contributing to food‑based, practical learning in a therapeutic environment.

The key duties of this role will include

• Prepare and cook nutritious school lunches using biodynamic, organic and locally sourced produce, maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene and kitchen cleanliness at all times.
• Coordinate and support the Catering Assistant to ensure smooth daily operations, safe equipment use and an organised, therapeutic learning environment.
• Plan menus, manage stock, ordering and recycling systems, and follow the Food and Nutrition Policy closely to minimise waste and uphold school values.
• Support pupils to develop practical cooking and food preparation skills, building independence, confidence and healthy food habits.
• Support structured cooking sessions for small groups or class groups, ensuring activities are engaging, differentiated and safely supervised.

Work with teachers and support staff to plan food‑based learning that embeds functional English, Maths and Science skills through curriculum‑linked activities, including seed‑to‑table learning.

• Support to create an inclusive, sensory‑aware learning environment where pupils can participate meaningfully in preparing food and exploring ingredients.

To undertake this position successfully you will have

• Experience working in a catering environment, ideally with fresh, seasonal and organic produce.
• Knowledge of food hygiene, dietary needs and safe kitchen practices.
• Experience or interest in supporting children with SEND and sensory needs.
• Strong organisational, communication and teamwork skills.
• A positive, resilient approach and ability to create a calm, encouraging environment for pupils.
• A Food Hygiene qualification or willingness to train.