When a school kitchen needs refurbishment, the catering operation doesn't stop. Students still need feeding — often 200 to 800+ meals per day. A temporary kitchen allows the school to maintain its meal service throughout the works, meeting nutritional standards and keeping parents happy.
This guide covers everything a school business manager, headteacher, or local authority needs to know about hiring a temporary kitchen for an educational setting.
Why Schools Need Temporary Kitchens
The most common reasons schools hire temporary kitchens:
- Kitchen refurbishment or modernisation: Replacing aging equipment, upgrading extraction, or reconfiguring the layout
- Building expansion: Adding capacity to serve a growing student population
- Fire or flood damage: Emergency replacement while the main kitchen is repaired
- New school builds: Providing catering from day one while the permanent kitchen is still under construction
- Asbestos removal: The kitchen must be vacated while hazardous materials are safely removed
In all cases, the temporary kitchen must meet the same food safety and nutritional standards as the permanent one.
Compliance Requirements
HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)
Any temporary kitchen used in a school must operate under a HACCP food safety management system. This isn't optional — it's a legal requirement under EU-derived food safety regulations (retained in UK law post-Brexit).
Reputable commercial temporary kitchen providers supply units that are pre-configured for HACCP compliance, with:
- Separate preparation areas for raw and cooked food
- Adequate refrigeration with temperature monitoring
- Handwash stations at entry points
- Probe thermometers and cleaning schedules
- Pest-proof construction
School Food Standards
If the school provides free school meals or is a maintained school in England, it must comply with the School Food Standards. The temporary kitchen must be capable of producing meals that meet these nutritional requirements — which means adequate oven capacity, vegetable preparation areas, and allergen management.
Environmental Health
The temporary kitchen will be subject to the same Environmental Health Officer (EHO) inspections as the permanent one. Some local authorities will want to inspect the temporary kitchen before it opens. Your provider should be experienced in facilitating these inspections and can usually arrange them proactively.
DBS Checks
Temporary kitchen staff provided by the hire company need Enhanced DBS checks if they'll be working in a school setting. Most commercial providers who specialise in education already have this in place.
What Size Kitchen Do You Need?
The size of the temporary kitchen depends on the number of meals served per day:
| Meals per Day | Unit Size | Typical Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| 100–200 | Single modular cabin | 1 oven, hob, prep area, dishwasher |
| 200–400 | Double modular cabin or large single | 2 ovens, combi oven, larger prep areas |
| 400–600 | Multi-unit linked cabin | 3+ ovens, combi oven, walk-in fridge, twin dishwashers |
| 600–800+ | Production kitchen | Industrial combi ovens, multiple prep zones, blast chiller |
Most primary schools serve 150–300 meals per day and need a single or double modular cabin. Secondary schools serving 400–800+ meals per day typically need a multi-unit setup with linked cabins.
Planning Timeline
Schools should start planning a temporary kitchen hire at least 3–6 months before the renovation starts. Here's a typical timeline:
6 Months Before
- Identify the renovation scope and expected duration
- Determine the temporary kitchen location on the school site
- Check utility availability (3-phase electric, water, drainage, gas)
- Contact 3–4 commercial temporary kitchen providers for site surveys
4 Months Before
- Receive and compare quotes
- Select a provider and sign the hire agreement
- Submit planning applications if needed (most temporary structures under 6 months don't need planning, but check with your local authority)
- Inform parents and governors
2 Months Before
- Provider conducts a detailed site survey
- Groundwork and utility preparation begins
- Order any additional equipment (serving counters, dining furniture)
- Update HACCP documentation for the temporary kitchen
2 Weeks Before
- Temporary kitchen is delivered and installed
- Utility connections completed and tested
- EHO inspection (if required by your local authority)
- Staff training on new equipment and layout
Day 1
- Temporary kitchen goes live
- Main kitchen renovation begins
Typical Costs
School temporary kitchen hire costs depend on the unit size, hire duration, and site requirements. Indicative pricing:
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Single modular cabin (per month) | £3,000–£5,000 |
| Double/linked cabin (per month) | £5,000–£8,000 |
| Production kitchen (per month) | £8,000–£15,000 |
| Site survey | £500–£1,500 |
| Delivery + crane + installation | £2,000–£5,000 |
| Groundwork and utility connections | £2,000–£8,000 |
| Weekly servicing | £150–£400 |
| Removal at end of hire | £1,500–£3,000 |
For a typical primary school renovation lasting 12–16 weeks, the total cost is usually £20,000–£40,000 including all setup and running costs.
Which Providers Specialise in Schools?
Several providers on FindAKitchen have extensive experience with school and education sector temporary kitchens:
- PKL Group: One of the UK's largest commercial temporary kitchen providers, with a strong track record in schools
- Mobile Kitchens Ltd: Specialist in modular commercial kitchens for education and healthcare
- The Kitchen Hire Company: Provides multi-unit linked kitchens for larger schools
These providers understand the specific compliance, safeguarding, and operational requirements of school environments.
How to Write a Specification
When requesting quotes, provide:
- Number of meals per day (and whether this includes breakfast and after-school clubs)
- Proposed location on the school site (with a site plan if possible)
- Available utilities (3-phase electric? Gas? Water and drainage points?)
- Hire duration (start and end dates)
- Special requirements (allergen management, halal preparation, specific equipment needs)
- Access restrictions (weight limits on access roads, height restrictions, delivery time windows)
A good provider will conduct a free site survey and produce a detailed proposal.
Next Steps
Browse commercial temporary kitchen providers on FindAKitchen and filter for those who serve the education sector. Request quotes from at least three providers to compare pricing, equipment, and service levels.
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