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Job Title: School Chef
Location: Strawberry Lane School, Durham, DH6 5BE
Salary: £20,000 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 30 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
Start Date: November 2025
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
Are you an innovative School Chef committed to improving the lives of pupils and young people? We are looking for a passionate School Chef to contribute to the growth and success of this new school.
About the Role
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced School Chef to lead our kitchen team and deliver high-quality, nutritious meals tailored to the dietary needs of our pupils and staff. This role involves menu planning, stock control, food preparation, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. You’ll also supervise kitchen staff, manage supplier relationships, and contribute to a positive, safe, and efficient catering environment.
Key Responsibilities:
* Plan and prepare balanced menus
* Manage kitchen operations and staff
* Maintain hygiene and safety standards
* Order and check supplies
* Support special dietary requirements
Requirements:
* Proven experience in catering or chef roles
* Strong leadership and organisational skills
* Knowledge of food safety and COSHH regulations
* Passion for providing nutritious meals in an educational setting
Join us in making a difference through food!
About us
Strawberry Lane School, located in Bowburn, Durham, is a brand-new specialist school accommodating 60 pupils aged 11–19 with a primary need of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), communication and language needs, and often additional complex needs.
The school is dedicated to empowering every learner and embracing every strength, providing a nurturing and inclusive educational environment where autistic young people can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
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?
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.
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.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
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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