Catering at The King’s Academy

Our restaurants stand at the heart of the Academy, providing students and staff with an opportunity to refuel and socialise in the middle of every school day. Each lunchtime our catering team prepares and serves hundreds of meals for students and staff in two kitchens and restaurants and across two sittings. Many of our students come from deprived backgrounds and the meal they have in school at lunchtime may be the only significant meal they have in a day. Our breakfast club helps to ensure that c150 students start their day having eaten something nutritious. A breaktime service is provided for staff and year 11 students. Our team also caters for many special one-off events throughout the year, such as our Annual Christmas Lunch, Carol Service and our Year 6 Open Evening, as well as daily hospitality requirements.

The two restaurants are served by two kitchens although most preparation takes place in the larger downstairs area. The kitchens are modern, with ongoing investment in equipment and provide a professional environment in which to work.

We currently work on a four week lunch menu cycle which is fully compliant with the requirements of the School Food Regulations. Each day there are two meat and one vegetarian main meal choices, jacket potatoes, soup, pasta pots, salads, paninis, sandwiches, cakes and home bakes, yoghurts and hot puddings, with a large majority of items being produced in 2 house. Our menus are fairly traditional, reflecting our understanding of student choices. Under current management, we have received a five star rating for food safety from EHO on multiple occasions.

The catering team consists of the Catering Manager, an Assistant Catering Manager/ Chef, two Catering Supervisors, ten Catering Assistants and a Kitchen Porter. There is a good mixture between longer serving and more recently joined staff. The Catering Manager is supported by an external catering consultant who provides a procurement framework across all Trust schools, conducts food safety audits and is available for consultation as required.

What we are looking for The work of the team is highly valued and crucial to school success; the Catering Manager role is central to this and we are therefore looking for an exceptional individual who can rise to the challenge of delivering successfully across the many facets of the role. The role offers an excellent opportunity for the right person to build on the good work of the previous postholder, add fresh ideas and enthusiasm and take our catering operations to the next level. In particular, the following attributes are especially important:

- Strong people manager able to work with and through a varied team to bring about service improvements and changes

- Previous experience of leading and delivering large scale, cost effective catering operations in schools or a similar environment

- Able to build strong and effective relationships with colleagues at all levels and act as a role model to our students

- Able to bring fresh ideas to our service offerings and to engage positively with customer feedback and comments 

Working hours and pattern, salary and benefits

40 hours per week, 7am to 3.30pm (with a 30 minute break) Monday to Friday during term time plus 3 weeks.

Scale point 21 to 24. Actual salary £31,256-33,397 rising to £31,815-£33,994 after 5 years’ service.

Additional benefits as set out below:

• Defined benefit pension scheme

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Free parking

• Access to our exclusive Benefits Hub

• Employee centred and family friendly policies and practices that support you in and beyond the workplace

• Enhanced sick pay, maternity leave and paternity leave (dependent on length of service)

• Competitive holiday entitlement for support staff (minimum 25 days, plus bank 8 holidays per annum, pro-rated for part-time post-holders)

• Cycle to work scheme

• Funded eye tests and glasses for DSE users (subject to T/Cs)

Further information If you would like to discuss the role informally or visit us in week commencing 6 January before making an application we would be delighted to accommodate. Please contact Ms Diane Crossley (HR Officer) (DCrossley@thekingsacademy.org.uk) to make arrangements or if you have any queries.

Closing date 9am on Monday 13 January 2025, with interviews and assessments to be scheduled in week commencing 13 or 20 January 2025 depending on availability