Assistant Cook
Full time, term time plus 30 days
Starting ASAP
Executive Summary
We are looking for an Assistant Cook to support our busy kitchen team with at least one year’s cooking experience ideally in a similar environment. The ideal candidate will assist with food preparation, maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene and contribute to the smooth running of daily kitchen operations. This role is vital in ensuring our kitchen operates efficiently and safely, delivering high-quality service to our clients.
The successful candidate should enjoy working as part of a busy team and possess a basic food hygiene certificate, have excellent customer service skills, be reliable, friendly, organised and motivated. You will require good communication skills and have a flexible and positive approach. Some lifting is involved.
The hours of work will be 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, term time only plus an additional 30 days to be worked in the summer.
Catering at Headington Rye
The Catering Department consists of approximately 35 staff operating over two sites, Prep and Senior School. All the catering staff are directly employed by the School. We operate all year round with external lettings during the Summer and Easter Holidays.
Role Description
This is a full-time role, working 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday, term time only plus an additional 30 days to be worked in the summer.
Key Responsibilities
- support the kitchen team in maintaining a clean, safe, and efficient kitchen environment, assisting with food preparation and ensuring high standards of hygiene and customer service are maintained
- ensure all kitchen and food preparation areas are clean and hygienic at all times
- wash dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment manually and/or using a dishwasher
- receive and store deliveries appropriately, checking for quality and stock rotation
- dispose of waste in a timely and hygienic manner, following food safety guidelines
- support chefs and kitchen staff during busy service periods
- follow all health and safety and food hygiene regulations
- report any issues with equipment or cleanliness to the supervisor
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- good understanding of food hygiene and safety
Desirable
- previous experience in a kitchen or catering environment
- Food Hygiene certificate (Level 1 or 2)
Personal Attributes and Skills
- reliable and punctual
- hardworking and flexible
- team player with a positive attitude
- good attention to hygiene and detail
- willing to learn and take direction
- calm under pressure
- good communication and teamwork skills
- ability to follow instructions and work under pressure
- good understanding of food hygiene and safety
- sympathy with the values and ethos of the School
Terms of Appointment
Type of Contract
Full time, 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday, term time only plus an additional 30 days to be worked in the summer
Benefits
Pension
Contributory membership of the School’s Support Staff Pension Scheme with a School contribution of up to 9.95 per cent upon successful completion of six months’ service.
Fee remission
In accordance with the School’s policy, which may be subject to change, up to 50 per cent fee remission for pupils attending Headington Rye Oxford and up to 20 per cent fee remission for boys attending Magdalen College School (under a reciprocal agreement) and subject to the terms of their policy. Fee remission is calculated on the number of weeks and hours worked and is pro rata for part-time staff.
Hourly rate
£13.13 per hour
Additional Benefits
All staff have access to a broad programme of wellbeing activities. The programme currently includes access to the School’s gym and swimming pool, weekly Step and Tone and Zumba classes and regular staff social activities such as Book Club and Staff Choir. Staff also benefit from free access to the Employee Assistance Programme, a free, confidential helpline that offers advice on a range of issues. Free restricted parking is available for all staff on site.
Appointment Process and How To Apply
Applicants should submit an application form and a covering letter detailing their skills and experience to recruitment@headingtonschool.com
- Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the application form in full. CVs will not be accepted in substitution for completed application forms. However, they may be sent in addition to the application form.
- We will seek references on shortlisted candidates and will approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications, before the interview. References will ask about your suitability to work with children.
- If you are invited to interview you will receive notification outlining the interview process and guidance regarding the documentation you are required to provide.
Closing Date: Wednesday 15th October 2025
Applications are reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts early depending on the volume of applications we receive. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application form.
All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of all employment checks, ie references, Disclosure and Barring Service, medical questionnaire, Right to Work in the UK.
Headington Rye Oxford is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and DBS and barred lists checks. The School expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
