Job description
Chef - Immediate Start Available!
Salary: Grade 6
Actual Salary: £16,936 - £22,021
Full-time equivalent: £27,709-£30,023 per annum
Working Weeks: 39 Weeks plus 12 additional days Term Time Only
Hours: 25-30 hours per week -Term time Plus 12 days
Join Our Catering Team
Matthew Arnold School is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Chef to join our in-house catering team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about food and enjoys working in a busy, team-focused environment. You will play an important role in providing high-quality, nutritious meals for our school community, supporting school events.
About the Role
As our Chef, you will be responsible for organising and delivering food for our main dining areas and ensuring that the catering service operates efficiently and on time and to a high standard. While supporting the Catering Manager and team with daily tasks.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Plan with the Catering Manager menus and preparing, cooking and serving Plan menus with the Catering Manager and prepare, cook and serve nutritious meals in line with catering legislation and food safety standards.
- Create termly menus and associated documentation, supporting the continued development of the catering offer.
- Deputise for the Catering Manager when required, including ordering, stock control, supplier management and maintaining accurate HACCP records.
- Maintain high standards of food hygiene, health and safety, including preparation for inspections and visits.
- Organise catering for school events and support the smooth day-to-day operation of the catering service.
- Ensure financial controls, cost management and waste reduction measures are adhered to and remain within budget.
- Carry out any other reasonable duties as requested.
Requirements:
- Experienced in catering, food preparation, stock control and ordering supplies.
- Able to lead by example, motivate colleagues and promote a positive working environment.
- Organised, reliable and able to work under pressure.
- Knowledgeable about food hygiene, health and safety requirements and safe working practices.
- Passionate about preparing nutritious, high-quality food.
- Committed to excellent customer service and supporting the wider needs of the school.
The successful candidate will be expected to follow school policies and procedures and maintain consistently high standards of hygiene, safety and food quality.
What We Offer
You will have the opportunity to develop your catering and management skills through workplace training and formal courses including via apprenticeships. We are committed to supporting staff development and providing a positive working environment. If you are passionate about food and would enjoy making a difference to the daily experience of students and staff, we would love to hear from you.
How to Apply
Please complete the application form via My New Term. For further information or questions about the position, please contact Jeremiah at hrwest@acertrust.org.uk.
We recommend that you apply as soon as possible. Matthew Arnold School reserves the right to interview suitable applicants early and may close the vacancy before the advertised closing date.
Applications are handled on Teaching Vacancies (GOV.UK).
About this school
Matthew Arnold School
Academy converter · Secondary · Ages 11–18
- Pupils
- 1,250
- Avg teacher salary
- £42,873
- Pupil:teacher ratio
- 18.5:1
- Academy trust
- ACER TRUST
Average (mean) teacher salary · DfE School Workforce Census 2024/25
View full school profileOfsted rating key
Not rated= no current Ofsted judgement — typically a new school, a recently-converted academy not yet inspected, or a school type Ofsted doesn’t grade.
Location
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Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 9JE
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- Salary
- £16,926.00 - £22,021.00 Annually (Actual)
- Contract
- Permanent
- Working pattern
- Part time
- Posted
- 12 October 2026
- Closing date
- 31 October 2026
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