Job Description

Do you have the leadership skills to manage and inspire our school catering team? Do you want a great work-life balance while still doing what you love?


We are looking for a Head Chef to join our vibrant catering team, creating delicious meals for our students and staff. Supporting the Head of Catering in the day-to-day management of the service, you will take overall responsibility for the ordering, preparing and serving of school meals, ensuring the high volume of food produced is delivered to an exceptional standard and within budget. You will take full responsibility for leading the kitchen team, managing and directing the work of the team as required.


Bedales School is a unique educational establishment, set in the beautiful Hampshire countryside. Our aim is to create an environment where questioning, divergent thinking and freedom to learn from mistakes are all encouraged. Central to our success is the sense that each person is a member of our community whose voice is entitled to be heard and treated with respect. Both our staff and students expect of each other the best kind of relationships - co-operative, authentic and trustful.

Why Join Us?

Great Work-Life Balance - enjoy school holidays off (this is a mostly term-time role) Competitive salary Free Meals - enjoy breakfast & lunch on us during term time Career Development - opportunities for growth & training Fantastic benefits - Pension, healthcare cash plan & Employee Assistance Programme Supportive team - work with friendly colleagues in a positive environment Free on-site parking & staff use of sports facilities

What We're Looking For:

Catering experience - preferably in a high-volume kitchen Passion for food & service - motivated by quality & great customer experience Proven leadership skills with the ability to manage and support a small team. Flexible & hardworking - can work under pressure and adapt when needed Allergen and nutrition trained, with City & Guilds 706 - 1, 2 & 3 or equivalent NVQ qualification essential

Duties

Plan and prepare creative, balanced menus that meet school nutritional standards and accommodate allergies or dietary requirements. Manage, motivate, and support the catering team to ensure smooth daily service. Order ingredients, manage stock, and control costs effectively. Ensure full compliance with food safety, allergen, and health & safety regulations.

This post is Regulated Activity.

Hours of Work

45 hours per week term time (includes weekends), usually 33 weeks per annum, plus an additional 240 hours to be worked over the year normally during half terms and / or pre and post term.

Pre-Appointment Checks

All candidates will undergo a Safeguarding Suitability Interview and application for an Enhanced DBS and Barred List check and be asked to provide evidence they are eligible to work in the UK, on an on-going basis, at the shortlist stage of the selection process.

Closing Date: 9:00am, Monday 1 December 2025

Interview date: To be confirmed

Early application is advised as Bedales reserve the right to make an appointment at any stage of the application process.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this post, please read the which includes full details regarding the post. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, CVs cannot be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application form.


To find out more about this opportunity, candidates can contact our Head of Catering for an informal discussion (with details of their experience) by email to Matt Potts, Head of Catering at mpotts@bedales.org.uk.


All other enquiries relating to the recruitment process should be forwarded to recruitment@bedales.org.uk.

Safeguarding Statement:

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.


Candidates will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Prohibition from Teaching Checks, Prohibition from Management Checks.

The safeguarding responsibilities of the post include:

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; fostering a culture of openness, safety, equality and protection; providing a safe and welcoming environment where both children and adults feel secure, able to talk and believe that they are being listened to; playing a key role in prevention of harm and an equal responsibility to act on any suspicion or disclosure that may indicate a child is at risk of harm; When concerned about the welfare of a pupil, acting in the best interests of the pupil.

All staff have a key role to play in identifying concerns early and in providing help for children and are expected to act in accordance with the school Safeguarding & Child Protection Policies.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job candidates to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.