School Chef

25 hours per week • Term time only plus five INSET days

Maiden Erlegh Trust operates an in-house catering function, delivering high quality and nutritious food to students within our schools. Working under the direction of the Trust catering manager, the school chef would support in the creation of, and manage the delivery of, the menu based on the needs of the local setting. 

By providing excellent care and services to students, the successful candidate will support to grow the catering operations and will work with the wider Trust to implement its sustainability objectives relating to catering operations. 

In the early years, we are looking for staff who are willing to be flexible to support the needs of students, and other stakeholders, and to meet the operational needs of the school. This will provide excellent opportunities for staff to develop new skills and gain experience in a variety of areas. 

The successful candidate will be: 

• Responsible for preparing delicious, high-quality food that delights our staff and students. 
• Able to oversee and implement menu changes. 
• Proactive in identifying opportunities to improve our food services and customer experience.
• Confident working in a busy kitchen and possess prior experience supervising staff. 
• Able to professionally lead the school-based catering team. 

We are looking for someone who has:

• Experience in producing food of a high quality. 
• Previous catering experience, preferably within a School, high volume restaurants or contract catering environment.
• A current level 2 Food Hygiene and Allergen certificate. 
• Experience of the Food standards and H&S requirements of a school catering setting. 
• Line management experience. 
• The ability to develop positive and caring relationships with children. 
• A high level of professionalism, with respect for others, and a positive attitude towards the day to day workload.

The school will be a part of the successful Maiden Erlegh Trust who currently operate eight other schools in Berkshire and South Oxfordshire. The Trust has a reputation for driving high standards and excellence in all its schools, with a strong track record of outcomes and improving OFSTED grading. 

Our People Development Curriculum provides professional development pathways for every role within the Trust, both teaching and support staff, through which staff can tailor CPD to their own needs. 

We have a proven track record of supporting ambitious staff in to middle and senior leadership posts and can offer opportunities to broaden your impact on the sector through the work of the Maiden Erlegh Institute. We are very happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, including part-time working and job-sharing. 

About the Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to developing a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community of highly effective schools that deliver excellent education opportunities for the children and young people of the communities we serve. Through our work we will ensure that our children are equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to deal with the demands of an ever-changing world. The Trust currently comprises eight schools in the local area, with a variety of settings including primary, secondary, special and a PRU. As a Trust, we encourage professional development at all levels through the use of cross Trust networks to share best practice and ideas. We also actively encourage the promotion of staff to different roles within the Trust and to different settings in line with their career aspirations. Click Work @ Maiden Erlegh Trust to find out more information about why you should work for Maiden Erlegh Trust and to read testimonials from existing staff. 

Benefits

Further information about some of the staff benefits that Maiden Erlegh Trust offers its employees, can be found on our website HERE

Staff Wellbeing is very important to us. As a staff member of Maiden Erlegh Trust these are just some of the examples of how we show our appreciation to staff. 

• We operate a system of ‘ME days’ allowing staff to request an additional day off per year to attend special events such as children’s sports days and graduations, family and friends' weddings. 
• CPD is available for all staff at all levels. 
• Free flu vaccinations are offered to all staff. 
• Free eye tests are provided for eligible staff.
• Breakfast and lunch provided for staff regularly, including on many INSET days and as a thank you throughout the year. 

If you believe that this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and substantially contribute to an exciting future for our students, then you are encouraged to explore further by contacting recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for a more detailed discussion, if required.

If you would like to have an informal chat with our hiring manager about this post, please email recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org

Closing date: 9 August 2024

Interviews: Date to be confirmed

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible as the Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint before the closing date.

We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.