At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a busy school kitchen and create healthy, delicious menus for students and staff.
- Company: The Wordsley School, part of Stour Vale Academy Trust, focused on excellence and community.
- Benefits: Enjoy term-time hours, a supportive environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to promoting health and wellbeing in a vibrant school setting.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives through nutritious meals and a positive dining experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management, strong leadership skills, and relevant catering qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 26761 - 29220 £ per year.
Join us and help shape a positive, healthy dining experience for our school community. A unique opportunity to make a difference in a dynamic and forward‑thinking school, which prides itself on its culture and ethos. Are you a passionate and experienced catering professional ready to lead a busy school kitchen? The Wordsley School is seeking an enthusiastic and organised Catering Manager to oversee our catering provision and deliver a high‑quality dining experience for our pupils, staff and visitors.
About the Role
As Catering Manager, you will take full operational responsibility for the school’s catering service. You will lead, inspire and manage a team of catering staff to deliver nutritious, high‑quality meals in a safe, clean and welcoming environment—aligned with our ethos of “excellence for all.” Key responsibilities include:
- Managing the day‑to‑day running of the kitchen and dining service
- Planning, preparing and delivering appealing, healthy menus
- Leading and developing a team of catering staff
- Managing the catering budget, stock control and minimising waste
- Ensuring high standards of food hygiene, health & safety, and allergen compliance
- Maintaining accurate records, including quality assurance and statutory documentation
- Creating a positive dining experience for pupils and staff
You will also work closely with the School Business Manager and external catering partners to continuously improve the service and meet the needs of the school community.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for a motivated and hands‑on professional with:
- Proven experience managing a busy kitchen and delivering high‑quality food within budget
- Strong leadership skills, with experience supervising and motivating teams
- Knowledge of food hygiene, allergen legislation (including Natasha’s Law), and health & safety standards
- Experience in menu planning and promoting healthy eating
- Excellent organisational and communication skills
- A commitment to high standards, attention to detail and customer care
Relevant qualifications such as NVQ Level 3 in Catering (or equivalent) and Food Hygiene certification are essential.
Why Join Us?
- Term‑time working for a better work‑life balance
- A supportive and inclusive school environment
- Opportunity to lead and shape a valued service within the school
- Ongoing training and professional development
Safeguarding Statement
Stour Vale Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will carry out pre‑appointment checks including DBS and will disqualify any applicant where we consider the outcomes to be unsatisfactory. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. We are equally committed to ensuring that no applicant will be disadvantaged or discriminated against because of their protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
Catering Manager employer: The Wordsley School
The Wordsley School offers a unique opportunity for passionate catering professionals to lead a dynamic kitchen environment within a supportive and inclusive school community. With a focus on work-life balance through term-time working, ongoing training, and professional development, you will have the chance to make a meaningful impact by delivering high-quality meals that promote healthy eating and enhance the dining experience for pupils and staff alike.
