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How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job Title:   School Cook

Location:   Bower Lodge School, Southampton, SO45 5TD

Salary:       £20,000 per annum 

Hours:       30 hours per week, Monday to Friday 

Contract:   Permanent, Term Time only

Start Date: September 2025

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

We have an exciting opportunity to join our brand-new school, Bower Lodge School to join us as a School Cook. 

Job duties

To be responsible for the planning and preparation of high-quality food and catering service to the school. To manage and supervise all kitchen staff.

Responsibilities

To plan menus for the school with reference to the dietary needs of our young people

To undertake the monitoring of stocks by date rotation, portion control and quality and in accordance with the budgetary controls set

To set up and clean down the kitchen areas before and after day to day use

To ensure that necessary preparation is undertaken for the day/weekly demand/needs of the School

To be observant of the need to minimise waste

To provide suitable food to staff/pupils with special dietary requirements

Requirements

L2 Food and Hygiene Standards

About us

Our New Options Primary School - Bower Lodge is located in Southampton. The school has a capacity for 40 pupils and opened in September 2024 and caters for pupils ages 4-11 years old with a variety of needs including Autism. 

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to children, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism? 

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

Life Assurance

Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions

“Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits

100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support. 

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 

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