Job Description

Downe House

West Berkshire
18,000 - 20,000 per year

Job type:

Full Time, Permanent

Start date:

01 September 2025

Apply by:

13 August 2025

Job overview

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Apprentice Commis Chef

Required 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Working Monday - Sunday, 5 over 7, to include 1 day at the weekend. Hours alternate weekly between 6.30am-2.30pm and 11.30am-7.30pm.





Salary Range: 18,000 - 20,000 per annum

Downe House is a leading independent boarding and day school for girls based in Cold Ash, Berkshire. We operate an in-house fully catered service for pupils and staff which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week. In addition, we hold numerous catered events and formal dinners through the year.


Do you have a passion for food and are you keen to start a rewarding career within hospitality?

We have a fantastic opportunity to join our team as an Apprentice Commis Chef, learning to prepare and cook delicious fresh food, developing your kitchen skills and understanding of food hygiene and kitchen safety. Under the guidance of our Head Chef and Sous Chef, you will work as part of a kitchen brigade of 15 to support the daily routine and banquet catering for our school community of around 900 staff and pupils. Our team values staff development and we have a successful track record of training apprentices. You will work 4 days on site and train 1 day a week at a leading catering college, Capital City College, working towards a Level 2 Commis Chef qualification.

We are looking for someone with a keen interest in food and hospitality, who is a reliable team player, and is committed to learning and developing the skills required as a Commis Chef. It is an advantage if you have previous experience of working in hospitality, but this is not essential.

Main Duties

Prepare fresh food to consistently high standards, including meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, breakfast, banqueting and desserts. With training and support, assist the Head Chef and Sous Chef in the day to day running of the kitchen. Communicate with the front of house team during service times to ensure food levels are correct. Ensure that all food hygiene and health & safety requirements are carried out.

Benefits Include

Generous pension scheme, with employer contributions at 9% Delicious free meals while on duty Life insurance & critical illness cover Discounted school fees A supportive induction programme Beautiful working environment in a semi-rural location Modern gym and swimming pool facilities, for staff use at set times A variety of social occasions throughout the year

How to apply

Application forms can be downloaded from the bottom of the advert on our website at https://www.downehouse.net/about/vacancies


Please send your completed application form to recruitment@downehouse.net by

the closing date Wednesday 13th August 2025

. We will review applications upon receipt and reserve the right to interview before the closing date.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Own transport is essential as the school is in a rural location with no public transport links.

For further details you can contact the HR Department on 01635 204712 or email recuitment@downehouse.net

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and any offer of employment is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Check (DBS), satisfactory references, and social media checks.

At Downe House we promote equality of opportunity for all pupils and staff, both current and prospective, and we actively support an environment and culture that values diversity and inclusion.

Recruiter contact:

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Email us

Call us

About

Downe House

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Downe House

Cold Ash, Thatcham
Berkshire
RG18 9JJ
United Kingdom

+44 1635 200286

Situated in the town of Thatcham, in Berkshire, Downe House is an independent secondary school for girls aged between 11 and 18. It is both a day and boarding school. There are around 580 students enrolled at the school, the majority of whom are boarders. Downe House School was established in 1907 in Charles Darwin's formal home. It is located on 110 acres of land. There are 12 houses for those living on the campus. One of the houses is located in France where year eight students have the opportunity to spend a term.

Headteacher

Emma McKendrick

Values and Vision

Downe House aims to give every girl attending the school equal opportunities. The goal is for them to develop positive attitudes towards learning and become important figures in the local and global community. Children are encouraged to have excellent exam results, as well as personal development.

ISI Report

"There is positive leadership and a proactive approach to the health and well-being of the boarders. The health centre provides an outstanding service to the whole school. The welfare of pupils is at the heart of all the work that is done and the systems that are in place to support this aim. The pupils are well protected from harm with a written child protection policy that is regularly reviewed. The headmistress is the designated person in charge of child protection and works closely in this area with other members of the leadership team. Good attention is paid to overall health and safety matters supported by robust policies and comprehensive risk assessments."



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