School Chef

Full Job Description

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job title:    School Chef

Location:   Ashley Park School, Walton on Thames, KT12 1LE

Salary:       £25,000 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours:       28 Hours per Week, 4 days per week (Flexible)

Contract:   Permanent; Term Time only

Start:         September 2025

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we are looking for an outstanding School Chef to join the Ashley Park School team.

About the Role

To be responsible for the planning and preparation of high-quality food and catering service to the school for student, staff and visitors.

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

About us

Ashley Park School is located in the stunning market town on the south bank of the Thames in the borough of Surrey. It forms part of the Greater London built up area and is served by a wide range of transport routes to school, making it easily accessible. Our new specialist school will cater for young people with complex communication needs, autism and associated learning and emotional needs.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. 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? 

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. 

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults 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 the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

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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