Cooking Instructor/Teacher - Part-time - Special Needs Position

Heath Farm College, Maidstone

• Ref:KCC886-60601-35T
• Posted:05/08/2026
• Pay:Up to £18,424,26 per annum
• Start Date:TBC
• App Close Date:19/08/2026 at 23:45
• Interviews:TBC

Advert

At OFG we give you time to enjoy those special moments and hobbies outside of work 

Job Title:  Cooking Instructor/Teacher
Location:  Heath Farm College, Maidstone, ME16 0ER
Hours:      25.5 hours per week | Wednesday to Friday 
Salary:      Up to £18,424,26 per annum (depending on experience and qualifications, not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        August 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

We're looking for a passionate Cooking Instructor / Teacher to deliver engaging cooking lessons and practical life skills to young people aged 14–19 with SEMH needs. Using your experience in education, catering or hospitality, you'll inspire students to gain vocational qualifications, build confidence and develop independence.

What you will be doing

• Deliver practical cooking and food preparation lessons.
• Teach vocational cooking qualifications up to Level 2.
• Develop life skills including healthy eating, budgeting and meal planning.
• Adapt learning to individual EHCP outcomes.
• Promote food hygiene, kitchen safety and student wellbeing.

What you will bring

• Level 3 qualification (or above) in Professional Cookery, Catering, Hospitality, Food Preparation, Nutrition or a related subject.
• Teaching qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed, AET, PTLLS, DTLLS or equivalent).
• Assessor qualification (TAQA, A1, D32/33 or equivalent).
• Food Hygiene certification.
• Excellent practical cooking skills and the ability to engage and motivate young people.
• Strong organisational skills, creativity and a commitment to inclusion and student wellbeing.
• Knowledge of food hygiene and kitchen safety.
• Full UK driving licence.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the 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.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

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.

#1

Information about the school

We are an independent specialist sixth form college that caters for young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. We offer a unique and stimulating environment where every student is able to make outstanding progress in their personal development and enjoy success in their education.

Heath Farm College is situated in Maidstone and has capacity to support up to 58 students. The provision facilitates a professional post 16 provision for students with EHCPs who are not ready for a large FE college or large school/academy 6th Form provision.

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education and care for vulnerable pupils and young people. 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 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Siscely Solomon
• Address:Queens Avenue, Ferndown, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 0ER
• Telephone: 01622 829114
• Email: recruitment@ofgl.co.uk

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Cooking Instructor/Teacher Job Description