Head Chef

We are seeking an exceptional Head Chef to lead our school kitchen and play a vital role in supporting the wellbeing, development, and daily experience of our pupils. In addition to leading the day-to-day catering service within our special school, the postholder will oversee quality assurance, compliance, and best practice at a neighbouring special school, ensuring consistency and excellence across both provisions. 

This is a unique opportunity to combine professional culinary leadership with meaningful work in a special school environment, where high-quality, nutritious food is central to care, inclusion, and learning.

You are welcome to come and visit our school kitchen as part of the application process, please contact jacqui.webb@lihtrust.uk to arrange a time to visit.

We really want to get to know you, so as part of your application please include a personal statement outlining how you meet the job description and the skills, experience and attributes in the person specification.

The post holder will be entitled to join the Local Government Pension Scheme and will have access to our employee wellbeing services and Perkbox, which provides actions to hundreds of discounts on your regular shopping and high street purchases.

Purpose

To organise and supervise the catering establishment in accordance with and to the standard required by the school and statutory regulations.  Maintaining the highest standards of personnel management, hygiene and health and safety.

To be responsible for the operational efficiency of the catering service of both the Whitefield School and the Joseph Clarke School, including planning, preparation and presentation of food and beverages to the required standard within the budget limitations as agreed with the school management.

To ensure that efficient and economic use is made of all resources.

Job Context

Role Responsibilities

Catering

• To plan, operate and control the production of school meals in the school kitchen.
• Plan and implement a cycle of menus to meet nutritional guidelines and school food standards.  Adjusting the menu to eliminate unpopular or costly items
• To take responsibility for the standard of cleanliness and hygiene of premises and equipment
• To order all food and other commodities required from designated suppliers for the provision of school dinners.
• To check all deliveries against inventory and ensure all raw and cooked food is stored correctly.
• To operate and control stocks, stock records and ensure correct completion and submission of all appropriate returns and records to the target dates identified.
• To ensure all staff adhere to the portion standard yields as stated within the recipe specification.
• To implement local promotions/theme days as required.
• In conjunction with the Head Teacher, assess and adjust level of staffing and to participate where required in the selection and appointment of catering staff.
• To organise and manage the work of the catering team, including carrying out annual appraisals.
• To maintain the highest standards of kitchen and personal hygiene and health and safety, and operate to the standards required by the statutory regulations.  
• Induct and maintain the training and upskilling of all staff.
• To assist teaching and other staff to ensure that the aims and objectives of the school are met.

Team leadership

• Lead, motivate and inspire the catering team, monitoring staff performance and recruiting, inducting and training new staff members.
• Ensure that there are sufficient staff at all times and arrange appropriate cover where necessary and authorised.

Communication

• To maintain regular contact with the Head Teacher(s) and School Operations Manager(s).
• To hold regular team briefings with the catering team.
• To actively seek feedback on the quality and satisfaction of food.
• To participate in parental engagement regarding school meals.
• To identify and recommend improvements and cost savings to the benefit of the school(s).

Health & Safety 

• To maintain all statutory records in the catering environment.
• To report all accidents and unfit foods.
• Ensure complaints with the Health & Safety Policy, COSHH regulations and all statutory health and safety requirements.
• Ensure that the cleaning schedule is complied with and carry out cleaning as required.

Key Safeguarding Responsibilities

• To be alert to issues of safeguarding and child protection and to report any issues that arise in line with the Trust and individual academy procedures.

General Responsibilities

All employees are expected to:

• Undertake any training commensurate with the post.
• Show a responsible attitude to health and safety issues and have due regard for their personal safety and that of others.
• Support, uphold and contribute to the development of the school's equal rights policies and practices in respect of both employment issues and the delivery of services to the community.

The Learning in Harmony Trust reserves the right to vary or amend the duties and responsibilities of the post holder at any time according to the needs of the Trust’s business.  This job description does not form part of the contract of employment.

Safeguarding Statement

Learning in Harmony Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safer recruitment practice and the successful applicant will need a satisfactory enhanced DBS certificate and supportive references.

Our aim is to foster a culture of inclusivity that celebrates differences, promotes understanding, and ensures that no one is discriminated against in any way. By embracing diversity, we believe we can tap into the unique perspectives and talents of our employees, creating a more innovative and creative workforce that can better meet the needs of our pupils.