Location: Felixstowe International College, Suffolk
Contract: Permanent – full-time, part-time or term-time contracts considered
Working pattern: Flexible arrangements available
Salary: £27,300 per annum FTE (based on 37.5 hours per week), pro rata for part-time or term-time hours
About the Role
Felixstowe International College is looking for a reliable, enthusiastic and caring Cook to join our close-knit school community and help provide nutritious, varied and enjoyable meals for our boarding students.
Good food is an important part of boarding life, and our kitchen plays an important role in the wellbeing and daily experience of our students. We are looking for someone who takes pride in their cooking and enjoys preparing meals for young people in a friendly school environment.
Flexible Working – We Are Open to Different Arrangements
We recognise that finding the right working pattern is important, so we are happy to consider different arrangements depending on the candidate's availability and the needs of the College.
We would welcome applications from:
- An experienced weekday cook and a weekend cook, with separate contracts and responsibilities;
- Two cooks who would like to share the role, with one primarily covering weekdays and the other covering weekends;
- Candidates who are able to cover part of the advertised hours, including those interested in alternate weekend working; or
- Candidates looking for a term-time contract, with working arrangements agreed according to the College's needs and the candidate's availability.
We are happy to discuss the working pattern with suitable candidates and find an arrangement that works well for both the successful candidate and the College.
Working Hours
Our student meal times are:
- Lunch: 12:15pm
- Dinner: 5:30pm
The standard working shifts are:
- Lunch shift: approximately 9:30am–1:00pm
- Dinner shift: approximately 3:00pm–6:30pm
The working day is split into a lunch shift and a dinner shift, with an unpaid break between the two shifts.
The shifts include the preparation, cooking, serving and associated kitchen duties required for each meal.
For a full-time position, the contracted working hours are 37.5 hours per week. In addition to the regular meal-service shifts, the remaining contracted hours may include safeguarding training, pastoral or staff meetings, CPD sessions, menu planning, stock management and other College-related duties, as required.
Part-time and term-time working arrangements will be considered, with hours agreed according to the needs of the College and the candidate's availability.
Holiday and Term-Time Working
We are able to consider both year-round and term-time working arrangements, depending on the candidate and the needs of the College.
For full-time, year-round employees, the College provides 8 weeks' paid holiday per year (full-time equivalent, inclusive of bank holidays).
For part-time and term-time employees, holiday entitlement will be calculated pro rata in accordance with the relevant contract.
Candidates interested in a term-time arrangement are very welcome to apply, and the working pattern and holiday arrangements can be discussed during the recruitment process.
About Felixstowe International College
Felixstowe International College is a small, co-educational independent school with a warm and welcoming family atmosphere. We welcome both international and UK students for day and full boarding education.
With small class sizes and a dedicated team, we pride ourselves on creating a caring, supportive and respectful community.
Our Christian ethos underpins everything we do, encouraging personal integrity, respect and global citizenship.
The Role
The successful candidate will prepare nutritious, balanced and enjoyable meals for our students and staff, helping to create a welcoming and positive dining experience.
You will work closely with the pastoral and boarding teams to ensure that meals are prepared safely, efficiently and on time, while catering for individual dietary requirements and allergies.
This is an important role within the College, and we are looking for someone who understands the importance of providing good-quality food as part of a positive boarding experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and cook nutritious and well-balanced meals in accordance with the College's menus and standards
- Cater appropriately for students with allergies, dietary requirements and individual needs
- Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and kitchen safety
- Follow food safety, HACCP and allergen management procedures
- Ensure meals are prepared and served at the required times
- Assist with the cleaning and organisation of the kitchen and equipment
- Monitor food stocks and communicate any shortages or ordering requirements
- Work collaboratively with the pastoral and boarding teams
- Contribute ideas for menus and improvements to the students' dining experience
- Maintain appropriate records relating to food safety, allergens and kitchen procedures
- Attend relevant safeguarding training, staff meetings and CPD sessions
- Follow all College policies and procedures, including safeguarding and health and safety requirements
Person Specification
We are looking for someone who is:
- Experienced in cooking in a school, restaurant, catering or similar environment
- Knowledgeable about food safety, hygiene and allergen management
- Familiar with HACCP principles and safe food handling practices
- Able to prepare nutritious meals and cater for a range of dietary requirements
- Organised and able to prioritise tasks effectively
- Reliable, flexible and able to work independently
- A good communicator who works well as part of a small team
- Passionate about providing good-quality food for young people
- Committed to maintaining a safe, clean and welcoming kitchen environment
- Supportive of the College's ethos and values
What We Offer
- Competitive salary of £27,300 per annum FTE, pro rata for part-time and term-time arrangements
- Full-time, part-time and term-time working arrangements considered
- Flexible working patterns
- 8 weeks' paid holiday per year for full-time, year-round employees, with holiday entitlement calculated pro rata for part-time and term-time contracts
- Free meals during working hours
- Employee discount
- A welcoming, supportive and community-focused working environment
- Training and professional development opportunities
- The opportunity to develop your skills and contribute to the lives of young people
Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment
Felixstowe International College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.
The successful candidate will be subject to the College's safer recruitment procedures, including verification of identity and right to work in the UK, satisfactory references, an Enhanced DBS check (including a Children's Barred List check where applicable), and any other checks required under current safeguarding guidance.
Where applicable, overseas criminal record checks and other relevant pre-employment checks will also be undertaken.
As part of our safer recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be subject to an online search as part of our due diligence checks.
All appointments are subject to the satisfactory completion of the required pre-employment and safeguarding checks.
Application Deadline and Start Date
Application deadline: 26 October 2026
Interviews: Dates to be arranged with shortlisted candidates
Start date: Some hours are available immediately, while other working arrangements can be discussed and agreed with suitable candidates, subject to completion of the required pre-employment checks.
How to Apply
Please send your completed application form and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.
Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.
When applying, please indicate which days and hours you are available to work and whether you would be interested in a full-time, part-time, term-time, weekday, weekend or shared working arrangement.