Café Catering Tutor/Manager

North Ridge High School; Manchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

North Ridge High School seeks a passionate individual to lead its café, Cup & Cake. This role involves managing operations, guiding students in food preparation, and fostering independence. Join a rewarding environment that combines education and enterprise, making a meaningful impact on students' futures.

Benefits

Supportive environment

Collaborative team

Impact on students' futures

Qualifications

• Experience in catering and hospitality.
• Passionate about working with young people with special educational needs.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the café.
• Support students in developing kitchen skills.
• Plan and cost menus.

Skills

Catering

Communication

Creativity

Adaptability

ICT Literacy

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

Make food. Make futures. Make a difference.

North Ridge is an Outstanding specialist support high school for students aged 11–19 with complex special educational needs. We’re a fast-growing school based across two sites, with a Sixth Form Hub in Cheetham Hill that’s home to several exciting student-led business enterprises.

One of these businesses is Cup & Cake – an award-winning café, open to the public during term time and run by our sixth form students. The café serves delicious, seasonal meals (often featuring fresh produce from our student-run allotment, The Plot) and offers students meaningful, real-world experiences in catering, customer service, and enterprise.

We are looking for a passionate individual to lead at Cup & Cake — someone who loves food, cares about young people, and believes in hands-on learning.

Main Purpose of the Post

We seek an enthusiastic and committed person to bring ideas, help grow this unique café enterprise, and manage day-to-day operations with our students. You will guide them in food preparation, hygiene, health & safety, fostering independence, confidence, and job-ready skills.

This role combines elements of management, teaching, mentorship, and culinary skills. You will collaborate with teachers and assistants to link food prep to curriculum goals, adapt activities for individual needs, and ensure smooth operations.

A Day Might Include:

• Running breakfast service before student trainees arrive.
• Working with students to prepare a lunch menu, including sandwiches, salads, soups, and hot dishes.
• Introducing new recipes using produce from our allotment, ‘The Plot’.
• Supporting students in developing kitchen skills (knife skills, baking, stock rotation, etc.) as part of their assessment.
• Planning seasonal menus.
• Ensuring hygiene tasks are completed and logs are maintained.
• Providing feedback to staff and contributing to student targets.

We are seeking someone who is:

• Passionate about working with young people with special educational needs.
• Experienced in catering and hospitality.
• Skilled in delivering safe, high-quality food.
• A positive communicator who can build relationships with students, staff, and visitors.
• ICT literate with sound literacy and numeracy skills for record keeping.
• Creative, adaptable, and committed to continuous improvement.

Applicants without qualified teacher status will be appointed on the Manchester City Council support staff pay grades. Applicants with qualified teacher status will be appointed on the teacher pay scale, with teaching experience considered.

Why join North Ridge?

• Be part of an Outstanding, forward-thinking school community.
• Work in a rewarding role combining education, enterprise, and creativity.
• Enjoy a supportive, collaborative environment.
• Make a lasting impact on young people’s futures through practical learning.
• Develop skills in a growing area of specialist education.

Main Tasks

• Support the Business Director and team in developing and managing the café business, ensuring high-quality service.
• Support delivery of high-quality teaching and learning around food preparation and management.
• Assist in formulating business and marketing plans, including effective marketing campaigns.
• Participate in new initiatives and service improvements aligned with school aims.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene and service.
• Support students to develop catering knowledge and skills.
• Increase students’ self-esteem.
• Plan and cost menus.
• Manage daily operations, including deliveries, stock, and resources, providing management information for financial reports.
• Support the lead TA in lesson delivery.
• Ensure policies on security, health & safety, and food hygiene are followed.
• Attend meetings and staff training to support your professional development.
• Build rapport with students to encourage learning and qualifications in catering.
• Monitor quality of work and food production.
• Undertake additional duties as required by the Head Teacher.
• Participate in relevant meetings.
• Utilize ICT to support catering business delivery.

General

• Promote equality policies of Manchester City Council and the School Governors.
• Follow the School’s Health and Safety Guidelines.

Actively promote the School’s Equality Policy and guidelines.