Cook Manager

Orchard House Specialist High School, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M40 8EZ

7 days remaining to apply

Closing date
23 February 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
16 February 2026

Job details

Job role: Catering, cleaning and site management
Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern: Full time: permanent post working 30 hours per week 8am-2.30pm
Contract type: Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary: £25,185-£25,989

What skills and experience we're looking for

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Cook Manager to join our fantastic team at our new Orchard House SEN High School.

This is a Grade 3, permanent post working 30 hours per week 8am-2.30pm,term time only plus 5 INSET days. The starting salary is £18,567 and the full time equivalent is £25,185.

About the Role

Reporting to the School Operations Manager and the Trust Catering Managers,you will be responsible for the safe, effective and efficient day-to-day operation of the school catering service. You will work closely with catering staff and lunchtime organisers to ensure a high-quality, customer-focused service for students and staff.

Key Responsibilities

Manage a quality, cost-effective catering service in line with service level agreements (SLAs), contracts and legislative requirements
Deliver pre-planned menus that meet nutritional, legislative and client requirements
Ensure compliance with food hygiene, health & safety and COSHH regulations
Supervise and line-manage catering staff, including training, attendance management and payroll returns
Carry out efficient financial administration in line with Prospere Trust financial regulations, including cash reconciliation
Provide a courteous, responsive and customer-focused service
Promote equality, diversity and inclusion within the team and service delivery
Contribute to service improvements and new initiatives
Actively engage in personal development and training opportunities
Comply with safeguarding, child protection, confidentiality and data protection requirements at all times

What the school offers its staff

Working for Prospere Learning Trust

Great schools thrive because of the great people in them.We invest in our staff to achieve their full potential and offer a range of benefits including.

High quality CPD for all roles
Bupa Level 1 Health Plan- annual cash back allowance for a range of every day health care expenses
Generous Pension Contribution- over 26% for teachers and over 17% for support staff
Good holidays –teachers as per School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document;non-teachers receive 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays,increasing to 31 days with 5 years' service
Cycle scheme- save up to 39% on a bike and accessories and get Strava for free
Employee Assistance Programmes- including access to free counselling and 24/7 helplines
Credit Union- regular savings, Christmas saving scheme and access to affordable loans
Flexible working options- we're happy to talk flexible working where possible
Mental Health First Aidin every school
Blue Light Card- discounts on holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more
bYond cashback card- spend smarter with a prepaid cashback card for your everyday purchases

Visit our website to learn more about our Trust:prospere.org.uk

About Orchard House and Prospere Learning Trust

Orchard House is a brand new school which will be dedicated to providing exceptional education and support for students with Significant Learning Difficulties (SLD) and/or Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) from the age of 11- 19 years.

Opening in September 2025, our school is committed to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student can thrive.

We aim to empower our students with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their educational journey and beyond.

View our prospectus here.

Prospere Learning Trust is a high performing, inclusive and innovative Trust comprising of 9 schools, including 4 mainstream high schools and 5 special needs schools (both primary and secondary) with further schools anticipated across Greater Manchester.

We currently employ over 1000 staff and we believe that our staff play a vital role in achieving our vision of an exceptional education for all. We believe that great schools thrive because of the great people in them.

We are driven by our core values:

Inclusion- we recognise people need different levels of support to achieve equitable outcomes.
Comprehensive education– we welcome all people from our local community.
Excellence– high standards institutionally, academically and in personal development.
Expertise– great schools thrive because of the great people in them. We invest in all our staff to achieve their potential.
Collaboration– we believe we are stronger together.
Reflection– we are underpinned by thoughtful use of relevant evidence and research.

At Prospere Learning Trust,we pride ourselves in being a great place to learn, work, and grow. We have a resolute focus on developing the quality of education in all of our schools.

To support our staff, we come together as a collaborative learning community, with a strong culture of professional development and mutual support.

Safeguarding Commitment

All schools within the Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

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.

How to ApplyPlease follow the online application process to be considered, early applications are encouraged. Interviews will take place week commencing 23rd February.

All school staff are expected to share the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Specific safeguarding responsibilities are detailed in the attached job description.

Job Application Information

Please apply using the online application form; incomplete applications may not be considered. CVs are not accepted. Early applications are encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

As per Keeping Children Safe in Education, we conduct online searches on shortlisted candidates to identify any relevant issues for interview discussion. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure declaration, declaring any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. Information will be provided on where to seek guidance on whether certain offences are now protected and should not be disclosed within the self-disclosure form.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 all positions within the School are exempt. Therefore, we are entitled to carry out Enhanced Disclosure checks for all staff and volunteers. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relating to children.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; we do not sponsor visa applications. If you’ve lived or worked outside the UK in the last five years, additional information will be required. Job offers are contingent on satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references.

Equality Statement

Prospere Learning Trust values diversity and welcomes applications from all candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.

For application packs or support, contact us at 0161 527 7953 or jobs@prospere.org.uk.

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.