Catering Instructor

Acorn Care and Education; East Suffolk; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education provider is seeking a Catering Instructor in East Suffolk. You will work with Key Stage 4 pupils, primarily those with social, emotional, and mental health needs, to inspire them through engaging catering lessons. This permanent role offers a salary of up to £29,400 per annum with a 4-day working week trial. Join a committed team dedicated to supporting pupils' educational and emotional development.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support

Flexible benefits platform

Cycle to Work Schemes

Qualifications

• Experience in teaching or catering, ideally within a special educational needs context.
• Ability to create engaging and participatory lessons.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with pupils.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver catering lessons focused on KS4 pupils.
• Support pupils in achieving accredited qualifications.
• Maintain a safe and structured learning environment.
• Collaborate with the school team for pupil wellbeing.

Skills

Catering experience

Engagement with pupils

Lesson planning and delivery

Knowledge of SEMH needs

Education

Relevant teaching or catering qualification

Job description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four? At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay. Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Catering Instructor

• Location: Bramfield House School, Suffolk, IP19 9AB
• Salary: Up to £29,400.00 per annum (not pro rata)
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8:00am – 4:00pm
• Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
• Start: January 2026
• UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship.

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic Catering Instructor to join our team and inspire pupils through practical, engaging learning experiences in catering and hospitality. This role is primarily focused on Key Stage 4 pupils, particularly those with SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) needs, supporting them to achieve accredited qualifications while developing essential life and employability skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, deliver, and assess high‑quality, engaging, and differentiated catering and hospitality lessons.
• Support pupils in building independence, confidence, and practical employability skills.
• Maintain a safe, hygienic, and structured learning environment.
• Work closely with the wider school team to support pupil wellbeing, regulation, and inclusion.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils to encourage engagement and progress.
• Contribute to reducing behavioural incidents through hands‑on, practical learning.
• Support the school’s quality assurance processes, including reporting and monitoring pupil achievement.

About Us

Bramfield House School is an independent residential special educational needs school for boys aged 7–16 years who have social, emotional, mental health, communication difficulties and associated challenging behaviours, located in rural Suffolk. The School has a committed and innovative multidisciplinary team, extensive site and excellent facilities to support both learning and extra‑curricular activities; we are in a great position to provide our pupils with the best education and care possible. This opportunity is in Halesworth which is within commutable distance of Lowestoft, Diss and surrounding areas.

We are part of Acorn Education and can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those in our care.

Why join Acorn Education?

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 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

• 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
• A market‑leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enabling 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.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.

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.