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- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to prepare nutritious meals for primary school pupils.
- Company: Join GSAL, awarded North Independent School of the Year 2024, fostering a vibrant community.
- Benefits: Enjoy enhanced holidays, childcare support, and access to wellness programmes and facilities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through food while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must have relevant catering qualifications and experience in kitchen management or school catering.
- Other info: Flexible hours required for occasional events; opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities.
The predicted salary is between 23210 - 26730 £ per year.
Contract: Permanent term-time only plus five days (with some requirement to work ad-hoc days during holiday periods for events).
Hours: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday 07:00 - 15:00 during term time plus 5 INSET days.
Salary: GS3 points 14 - actual salary payable: £23,210.72 per annum.
Do you have a passion for fresh nutritious food and love creating meals that bring a smile to young faces? We are seeking a passionate and experienced Primary Chef and Kitchen Supervisor to lead the kitchen at our thriving Primary School. Based in our Primary School, you'll lead a small committed team in preparing and serving high-quality meals to our youngest pupils, ensuring that each dish meets our high standards. From daily service to themed events, you'll be at the heart of a vibrant food-loving school community.
In this hands-on role, you'll take responsibility for the planning, preparation, and presentation of meals while ensuring excellent hygiene, allergen safety, and compliance with statutory food standards. You'll manage kitchen rotas, stock control, and ordering and will be key to maintaining a safe and welcoming dining environment for our pupils and colleagues alike.
The successful candidate will have relevant catering qualifications (such as NVQ Level 3 or City & Guilds 706/1/2), a Level 3 Food Hygiene certificate, and experience in a similar kitchen management or school catering role. Great leadership skills, a warm and approachable nature, and the ability to work well with both adults and children are essential.
This is a full-time term-time role with working hours from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday to Friday plus 5 INSET days. You'll also need to be flexible for occasional events outside of normal hours.
If you're looking for a role where you can make a real difference every day and bring energy, care, and creativity to the school dining experience, we'd love to hear from you!
At GSAL, we are committed to promoting equity and diversity, safeguarding the welfare of children and young people, and providing a safe supportive environment for learning and development. If you share these values and have a passion for great food, we would love for you to apply.
GSAL was awarded North Independent School of the Year 2024 and Independent Secondary School of the Decade in 2021 and continues to be a friendly, fun, and supportive environment with high investment in pupil and colleague wellbeing while insisting upon and maintaining high expectations.
Benefits:
- Enhanced school holidays (approximately 15 weeks taking into account the 5 paid plus days)
- Significant discount on school fees
- Childcare provided for colleagues' children during school INSET days (from the age of 3 up to age 11)
- Personal pension plan with Aviva up to 5% employee contribution and 10% employer (with the facility to pay higher or lower employee contributions)
- Training and CPD available including five inset days per academic year
- Colleague lunches: three courses for £2.40 available during school lunchtimes plus free tea, coffee, and hot chocolate
- Access to our GP provider Health Hero
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme well-being app Vivup offering telephone counselling, financial and legal advice plus 6-8 face-to-face counselling sessions
- Colleague discounts through multiple providers including Vivup discounts for teachers and Extras
- Beautiful lunchtime walking routes around our 100-acre site
- Onsite gym and swimming pool available for staff use within set times as well as staff classes such as Pilates, meditation, kettlebells, spinning, and boot camps
- Salary sacrifice schemes for cycle to work
- Free car parking available on site
- Use of the school's extensive library facility
- Generous leave of absence scheme to support our employees when they need it
- Opportunity to be involved in extracurricular activities such as the staff pantomime, well-being committee, or volunteer for community events
How to apply:
Please complete the online GSAL application form. For any enquiries about the role please contact us. More information about the role and responsibilities are contained in the candidate information in the attached document in the documents section on our website advert.
The closing date for applications is: 08:00 Tuesday 17 June 2025.
Interview date: Tuesday 24 June 2025.
Primary chef and kitchen supervisor employer: The Grammar School at Leeds
Contact Detail:
The Grammar School at Leeds Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Primary chef and kitchen supervisor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary needs and preferences of children. Understanding how to create nutritious meals that cater to various allergies and dietary restrictions will set you apart as a candidate who truly cares about the well-being of the pupils.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past. Highlight any initiatives you've implemented that improved efficiency or enhanced the dining experience for young diners.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with the school community before applying. Attend school events or connect with current staff to gain insights into the school's culture and values, which can help you tailor your approach during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with food hygiene and safety regulations. Being able to articulate your knowledge and commitment to maintaining high standards in these areas will demonstrate your suitability for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Primary chef and kitchen supervisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in kitchen management and catering, particularly in a school environment. Emphasise your qualifications such as NVQ Level 3 or City & Guilds certifications, and any leadership roles you've held.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for nutritious food and your ability to create meals that delight children. Mention specific experiences where you led a team or improved kitchen operations, and express your enthusiasm for contributing to the school community.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your skills in food hygiene, allergen safety, and compliance with food standards. Provide examples of how you've maintained high standards in previous roles, and demonstrate your leadership and teamwork abilities.
Follow Application Instructions: Ensure you complete the online GSAL application form as specified. Double-check that all required documents are attached and that your application is submitted before the closing date of 08:00 Tuesday 17 June 2025.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Grammar School at Leeds
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for creating nutritious meals that delight children. Share specific examples of dishes you've prepared and how they were received, as this will demonstrate your commitment to quality and creativity in the kitchen.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Skills
As a Primary Chef and Kitchen Supervisor, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past, including how you handle challenges and motivate staff.
✨Emphasise Compliance and Safety
Given the importance of hygiene and food safety in this role, be ready to talk about your experience with food safety standards and allergen management. Mention any relevant certifications you hold, such as your Level 3 Food Hygiene certificate.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in a kitchen environment. Think about scenarios you might face, such as managing stock shortages or dealing with dietary restrictions, and prepare thoughtful responses that showcase your ability to think on your feet.
