Head Chef

Deliveries and storage:

• Order food and supplies as directed by the Catering Director
• Ensure deliveries are put away as soon as is practicable
• Operate safe storage by using the first in, first out system
• Ensure all opened packages are stored correctly in sealed containers
• Ensure all date stamped food is monitored
• Ensure that portions of food for freezing are covered, labelled and dated
• Ensure all food storage areas are kept clean, and any spillages are wiped up immediately
• Ensure food is stored correctly in the fridge with raw food always stored at the bottom
• Ensure all food preparation areas, handles, surfaces etc are sanitized daily.

Hygiene, health and safety:

• Adhere to uniform requirements as directed by the Catering Director
• Adhere to responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• You should maintain the work areas for which you are responsible in a safe and hygienic manner
• Adhere to the cleaning rota
• Ensure all food equipment is clean and in good condition, and report any defects immediately
• Use correct cleaning materials and abide by COSHH regulations.

Security:

• Ensure that the kitchen is secure after each shift, returning the key to the correct place at the end of the shift
• Ensure all lockable items are secured after each shift.

This list is not exhaustive, and duties may be changed or added to as determined from time to time.

This is a busy operational role and therefore a degree of flexibility around duties and working arrangements is to be expected.

Reporting

The Head Chef reports to the Catering Director and also works closely with the Hospitality and Personnel Manager and the rest of the Chef team.

Qualifications and skills required

Essential:

• Relevant qualification such as NVQ Level 3/City and Guilds 706/1 and 2 or equivalent Manual Driving Licence for the use of our catering vehicles
• Experience of leading a busy kitchen team
• Experience of catering in a large and busy institution
• A demonstrable passion for food and customer service
• Ability to work calmly under pressure
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to relate well to pupils, colleagues, staff and visitors.

Desirable:

• An intermediate food hygiene certificate
• Experience of catering in a large institution/school.

Hours of work, salary and benefits:

• You will usually work Mondays – Fridays, 9 am - 5 pm, with a 30-minute break for lunch each day. This is 7.5 hours per day, 37.5 hours per week. You may be required to vary your start and finish times as required, for example to receive deliveries or oversee a function
• You will be required to work 42 weeks per year. 35 weeks are worked during Ipswich School term times, and 7 weeks as required during the school holidays, including one or two days prior to the start and after the end of each term (as instructed by the Catering Director) to carry out a deep clean
• The annual salary for this post is £33,291.38 per annum (for the hours above, worked for 42 weeks per year) and includes holiday pay in accordance with the Working Time Regulations
• Salaries are reviewed annually and are paid over 12 months in arrears on the last working day of each month by BACS
• Uniform is provided and should be worn at all times
• Holiday may only be taken during weeks in which you are not required to work
• The appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a 6-month probationary period
• After 3 months’ service and/or in line with workplace pension legislation, you will be entitled to join our generous pension scheme offering 10% employer contributions
• Free lunch is provided during term time whilst the kitchen is in operation, and staff are able to use the school’s swimming pool and fitness gym (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations).

How to apply

To apply, please visit our website https://www.ipswich.school/vacancies

Completed application forms should be posted by the closing date below to: the Director of HR, Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, IP1 3SG or emailed to hr@ipswich.school

Please mark the envelope Private and Confidential.

Closing date: 12 pm, 9 September 2026. Interview date: likely to be held in the week commencing Monday 14 September 2026.

Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for an interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format, please contact us.

Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position. The Ipswich School Policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders and the Code of Practice relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service are available on request.

Ipswich School’s employees are responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people they are responsible for or come into contact with. The post holder must adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding Children Policy at all times. If, in the course of carrying out his/her duties the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School he/she must report any concerns to the school’s Safeguarding Children Officer (the Senior Deputy Head [Pastoral] for Senior School pupils and the Prep Deputy Head for Prep pupils and The Nursery Manager for The Lodge Day Nursery).

Ipswich School’s employees are expected to attend training in safeguarding children as directed.

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

To apply, please follow the application process detailed above.

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