Assistant Cook

St Bede Academy, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 3LJ

29 days remaining to apply

• Closing date

  30 October 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  1 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Catering, cleaning and site management
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £13.11 Hourly

Assistant Cook job summary

Do you have a passion for food and enjoy making a difference to children's lives?

We are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable and caring Assistant Cook to join our friendly catering team at St Bede Academy.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys preparing nutritious meals, supporting healthy eating and creating positive dining experiences for children from Early Years through to Key Stage 2.

Working alongside colleagues across the school and our on-site nursery, Baby Bede, you will play an important role in preparing and serving high-quality meals and ensuring children enjoy food that is both nutritious and appealing.

If you are passionate about food, enjoy working as part of a team and take pride in delivering excellent service, we would love to hear from you.

About the Role

The successful candidate will:

✅ Prepare, cook and serve meals for both the school and on-site nursery.

✅ Work with the Nursery Manager to help design and develop menus that are nutritious, varied and appealing.

✅ Support menu planning for both the school and nursery, helping to introduce new ideas and seasonal dishes.

✅ Develop an understanding of EYFS nutritional guidance to ensure our youngest children receive the best possible start.

✅ Support children with dietary, medical and allergen requirements.

✅ Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and food safety.

✅ Help reduce food waste and promote healthy eating across the school community.

✅ Provide catering support at other Trust schools when required.

We Are Looking For Someone Who:

• Has experience working in a kitchen, catering or food preparation environment.
• Has a genuine passion for food and nutrition.
• Enjoys working with children and supporting their wellbeing.
• Takes pride in delivering excellent customer service.
• Can work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Is organised, reliable and flexible.
• Has a strong understanding of food hygiene and safe food handling practices.
• Is willing to learn and develop their knowledge of school and nursery catering requirements.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• Food Hygiene Level 2 (or equivalent).
• Experience within a school, nursery or care catering environment.
• Knowledge of School Food Standards.
• Knowledge of EYFS nutritional requirements.
• Experience contributing to menu planning and development.

What We Offer

• A welcoming and supportive team environment.
• The opportunity to make a real difference to children's health and wellbeing.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A varied and rewarding role across both school and nursery settings.
• Access to Trust-wide support and professional development.

Why Join St Bede Academy?

At St Bede Academy, we believe that mealtimes are an important part of every child's day. Our catering team plays a vital role in helping children develop healthy eating habits, providing nutritious meals and creating a positive dining experience that supports learning and wellbeing.

This is more than a catering role. It's an opportunity to contribute to the health, happiness and development of our pupils while working in a supportive and rewarding school environment.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About St Bede Academy

• Organisation type: Academy, Church of England, ages 3 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• Size: 610 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: St Bede Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/st-bede-academy

St. Bede is a popular three-form entry Academy with 630 pupils on roll, serving a wide community with pupils from different faiths. The present School was formed in September 1992 through the amalgamation of a well-established Infant and Junior School. It became an Academy on 1st July 2011 and is now part of a Multi-Academy Trust, along with our sister school Tonge Moor Primary Academy.

Collaboration between both schools in the MAT is strong, supporting staff’s workload and well-being, and career development. Staff members benefit from: on-site MAT HR support; on-site full time MAT IT support; on-site school term time nursery; on-site 52 week private nursery; on-site out of school club and holiday club; discounted childcare; bespoke personal development opportunities as well as full access to The National College CPD package; a committed Governing body; a supportive leadership team who prioritise well-being; pupils who behave well, are eager to learn, are calm, happy and enjoy school life; a family ethos that nurtures individual talent, empowering all to flourish.

As a Church of England Primary school our school vision, values and scripture underpin our daily practice. We have a strong relationship with St. Bede's Church and this forms the basis of a very happy community.

The School underwent its Statutory Inspection for Anglican and Methodist Schools in February 2023 and the glowing report with a secure ‘Good’ judgement captures life at St. Bede perfectly. The report can be found our school website.

The large school building is made up of: twenty two classrooms, a music room, a computing suite, a main hall, a small hall, an intervention classroom, a library, a staff PPA room, a meeting room, a staffroom and a number of office spaces. We have an urban site with no grounds or playing fields, although the school has access to the adjacent council playing fields which we are currently in talks with the council about purchasing for our children. We have two playgrounds, a Reception outdoor area, a Nursery outdoor area, a Year 1 outdoor area and an allotment.

Our bespoke curriculum ensures that all children are provided with a broad, balanced curriculum taking into account their interests, needs and talents. Our curriculum is sequential from the EYFS to Y6 and is successfully designed to be ambitious and meet the needs of all pupils. We are proud to have specialist teachers in Music, Modern Foreign Languages, Computing and Art who teach from EYFS to Year 6.

School location

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