School Head Chef at Cockburn School

Post:                                      School Head Chef                                              

Required:                           September 2026                                               

Pay scale and salary:   C3, SCP 19-22 (£32,061 - £33,699 per annum FTE) negotiable for an exceptional candidate

Actual Salary:                  £28,989 -  £30,470 per annum                                        

Contract Type:                Permanent                                                      

Hours of Work:              37 hours per week, Monday to Friday 7:00am to 2:00pm, term time only plus 15 additional training days                                   

Who we are looking for: 

• A strong, ambitious, and intelligent team player who brings passion and pride to leading a high‑quality school catering operation at Cockburn Multi‑Academy Trust. Someone who thrives on creating nutritious, exciting meals that support young people to enjoy their school day and succeed in their learning journey.
• An innovative, resilient, creative and motivated professional with an uncompromising belief that all children deserve an outstanding education – and that great food plays a vital part in this.
• An organised, reliable colleague who is committed to working with staff and students to deliver a smooth, efficient and welcoming dining experience every day.

This is an exciting time to join a motivated, friendly and mission‑aligned growing team in a vibrant and successful school community, with many opportunities to develop in the future.

This role offers family‑friendly daytime hours with no late nights, and you’ll be paid all year while enjoying school holidays off, ideal for balancing work and home life.

Why join us

• Competitive rates of pay and negotiable for exceptional candidates
• A comprehensive induction, appraisal and continued professional development program
• Auto enrolment to West Yorkshire Pension Scheme/ Teacher’s Pension
• Enhanced occupational benefits such as leave of absence, adoption, maternity and paternity pay
• A range of working patterns dependent on role/level
• Access to cover pool/flexible days
• Access to a Blue Light Card
• Access to our Employee Assistance programme including counselling, CBT, physiotherapy, virtual GP and more
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders on each Academy site
• Supportive Wellbeing and Menopause Policy and groups
• Free onsite parking with electric charging ports
• Access to gym facilities on some sites
• Regular wellbeing and social activities
• Generous & supportive leave of absence policy
• Access to a wide range of staff discounts

You must be fully committed to optimising the opportunities that are available to children and young people, secure in the knowledge that you will be joining an ambitious, forward-thinking Academy Trust that sets the standards for our family of schools and academies. 

The school is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, and applicants will be subject to full employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure.

This post expects the successful candidate to safeguard the welfare of children and young people and uphold your professional responsibility.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK-either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust is committed to creating a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage, or civil partnership.