School Chef

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title: School Chef

Location: Hillingdon Manor School, Uxbridge UB8 3HD

Salary: £26,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 38.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

We are recruiting an experienced Chef to join our amazing team at Hillingdon Manor School located in Uxbridge.

About the Role

To be responsible for the planning and preparation of high-quality food and catering service to the School and to manage and supervise all kitchen staff

Key Responsibilities

• To plan menus for the School with reference to the dietary needs of the Service Users
• To undertake the monitoring of stocks by date rotation, portion control and quality and in accordance with the budgetary controls set
• To set up and clean down the kitchen areas before and after day-to-day use
• To ensure that necessary preparation is undertaken for the day/weekly demand/needs of the School
• To be observant of the need to minimise waste
• To provide suitable food to staff/Service Users with special dietary requirements

Who are we looking for

The ideal candidate will have

• Good knowledge of catering practices including the use and storage of relevant products
• Good knowledge of food safety requirements
• Good knowledge of devising and implementing effective systems of working
• Experience of catering work in a residential or educational or similar setting
• Experience of menu planning with reference to budgetary control and nutritional
• Experience at management level in similar setting
• Experience of supervising and appraising staff

Experience

• catering work in an educational, residential or similar setting

About Us

At Hillingdon Manor Secondary School, we provide specialist education for c185 pupils, aged between 11-19 years old. Our students are taught in smaller class sizes and all students work towards a variety of qualifications dependent on their needs and ability.

The aim of the site is to provide enough support to unlock each pupil’s potential so they can live fulfilling and productive lives. We provide students with as much freedom as possible in a safe and supervised environment. This is achievable due to the dedication and support from a range of employed professionals who are passionate, reliable, and understanding.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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