How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?
At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.
That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.
Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.
Job Title: School Cook
Location: Oakfield House School, Salwick PR4 0YH
Salary:
£21,500.00 per annum (
not pro rata
)
Hours:
30 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8.00am - 2.00pm
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
Interview: 27 Oct 2025
Start: October 2025
As part of our continued growth, we are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a School Cook to join our close-knit team at Oakfield House School, part of Options Autism.
About the Role
We’re looking for a passionate and reliable School Cook to join our vibrant school community. In this rewarding role, you’ll be responsible for preparing and serving nutritious, high-quality meals that support the health and wellbeing of all our pupils. Working under the guidance of the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll help create a welcoming and efficient kitchen environment that reflects the school’s ethos and values.
You’ll take pride in maintaining excellent standards of hygiene, health and safety, while ensuring all food safety regulations are met. From managing stock and supplies to keeping accurate records, your attention to detail will help keep everything running smoothly. Collaboration is key, and you’ll enjoy working as part of a supportive team where communication and care go hand in hand.
Who we are looking for
The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:
City & Guilds or NVQ in Catering (or equivalent)
Experience working in a catering environment
Good standard of personal hygiene
Strong presentation and food preparation skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
About us
Oakfield House School is a specialist Primary School for autistic pupils and those associated with Autism/Learning or Complex Communication and Behaviour needs. The school has a strong and committed leadership team. Our school is a country house built in the 1880‘s, set in eight acres of beautiful parkland.
We cater for 45 boys and girls aged between 4 – 12 years old.
The Site is situated in Salwick near Preston and are within commutable distance from Preston, Blackpool, Chorley, Leyland and surrounding areas.
For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils 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?
We place the outcomes of the pupils 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. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
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.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
*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. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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