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Job Ref No. ECC0-26S Position Type: Catering Pay Range: Essex Scale 3
Position Start Date: 01/01/2026 Contract Type: Part-time Contract Term: Permanent
Application Close: 14/11/2025 Midnight Date of Interviews: 19 November 2025  

Job Description

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JOB DESCRIPTION

ROLE: ASSISTANT COOK

Responsible to: School Cook

Line Manager: Deputy Head teacher

Hours of Work: 8.30 am - 2.30 pm, Monday to Friday, term time plus three ' cleaning' days

Annual Leave: 5.6 weeks (including bank holidays). Payment for holidays is included in annual salary.

As this is a term time position, holidays may not be taken during term time. Absence from work during term time will be unpaid unless covered by arrangements for special leave.

Salary: According to experience/qualifications

Main Purpose of the Job

  • To support the School Cook in providing a varied, healthy and well balanced menu for children
  • To contribute to the smooth day to day running of the school kitchen, working within agreed Health & Safety Procedures

Main Responsibilities and Tasks

  • To work with the School Cook and kitchen staff to produce food to a high standard on a daily basis
  • To support the School Cook in ordering and menu planning
  • To maintain accurate and up to date records relevant to the kitchen, e.g. fridge temperatures
  • To maintain standards of cleanliness, safety and hygiene of the kitchen and equipment and to work within the guidelines of the Health and Safety and Hygiene Regulations
  • To have regard to individual dietary requirements, ensure that all children are provided with appropriate dishes to meet their needs
  • To maintain high levels of communication with regard to kitchen matters and to liaise with other professionals as appropriate, e.g. Environmental Health
  • To attend meeting meetings as required and participate in training opportunities and performance development
  • To be familiar with and adhere to relevant School Policies e.g. Safeguarding, Health & Safety and others as appropriate
  • To maintain confidentiality of information acquired in the course of undertaking duties in the School
  • To undertake any other work as reasonably requested by the School Cook or SMT

Duties:

  • Preparation and serving of lunches
  • Clearing and washing up
  • Cleaning the kitchen and dining hall as necessary
  • To carry out other duties of a similar nature from time to time as may be required by the Principal/SMT
  • Deputise for the School Cook in case of absence

Training

The postholder will be expected to hold or be prepared to undertake a Food Hygiene Course and other mandatory training courses held at school, e.g. Child Protection, Fire Awareness etc.

This job description is not exhaustive and may be changed from time to time to meet the changing requirements of the school. This job description details responsibilities but does not direct any particular priorities or amount of time to be spent carrying out these duties.

Terms and Conditions

The appointment is subject to two references which will be taken prior to interview (with permission of the applicant). Any issues arising from references will be discussed at interview.

An Enhanced Disclosure via the DBS is required. If held online, the original certificate will need to be seen. Candidates who are shortlisted will be asked to complete a Criminal Record/Disqualification Statement.

Shortlisted candidates will also be asked to complete a Medical Declaration

Selection for the appointment will be made on the criteria of experience, qualifications, character and aptitude. These criteria will be assessed through each candidate's application form, interview and references

EMAIL APPLICATIONS TO: admin@elmgreen.essex.sch.uk

Elm Green Preparatory School is an Equal Opportunities employer.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Information about the School

Elm Green Preparatory School was founded in 1944 and is situated in an idyllic rural location in Little Baddow, about six miles east of Chelmsford. It is a co-educational independent school of approximately 220 pupils aged from 4 to 11 years. It is set in four acres of grounds with play areas, swimming pool and sports facilities on site, and also has the use of Little Baddow sports field for games and athletics.

Initial entry into the school is non-selective and occurs in the September after a child's fourth birthday. In Year 3, the children move into the Prep continuing until Year 6 when, aged 11, they move onto a range of different schools. The school has an excellent record of success for entry to Essex grammar schools and independent schools where many prestigious scholarships and awards in all subjects are gained.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

Information about the school

Contact Information

Ann Milner
Parsonage Lane
Little Baddow, Chelmsford
Essex, CM3 4SU
Telephone: 01245 225230
Email: admin@elmgreen.essex.sch.uk