Chef Supervisor

Ark; St Leonards; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the United Kingdom is seeking a Chef Supervisor to join their dedicated catering team. The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing, cooking, and presenting meals that meet school standards while supervising the catering team. This permanent, term-time position offers a starting salary between £24,741.32 and £28,598. The role requires flexibility and the ability to work in a busy kitchen environment under the direction of the Chef Manager.

Benefits

Health benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

Healthcare Cashplan

Employee Assistance Programme

Staff discounts from Ark Rewards scheme

Qualifications

• Experience working in a busy kitchen environment.
• Ability to cope with pressure and manage tasks efficiently.
• Health & safety and/or food hygiene qualifications preferred but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and present meals according to school standards.
• Supervise the catering team to maintain high food safety standards.
• Ensure cleanliness across kitchen and dining areas.

Skills

Experience in a busy kitchen

Resilient character

Ownership of tasks

Health & safety and/or food hygiene qualification

Team player

Flexibility

Calm under pressure

Professionalism

Job description

About The Role

Chef Supervisor

Start date: As soon as possible

Location: Ark Alexandra Academy, Hastings, East Sussex

Salary: Ark Outside London Support Scale 5, Pay Points 5 - 12: £25,583 to £28,598 (pro rata)

Actual Starting Salary: £24,741.32. Pay is spread evenly over 12 months.

Hours: 38.5 hours per week, 41 weeks per year: 7.00am – 3.45pm Mon to Fri (this includes a 1 hour or 2 x 30-minute unpaid breaks each day)

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: 11:59pm on 05 January 2026

The school reserves the right to close this advert early and interviews may take place before the advertised closing date. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early for this role to avoid disappointment.

This is a rare opportunity to join our hard-working, dedicated catering team in our growing academy. As Chef Supervisor you will be based at one of our two campuses under the direction of our Chef Manager. This is a term time only position, which means you will only work 39 weeks of the year, plus two extra weeks in the school holidays as directed by your manager. Pay is spread evenly over the year so you would never have a month without money.

As the Chef Supervisor you will prepare, cook, and present food which meets the school standards and according to the Chef Manager’s direction. You will also be responsible for supervising the catering team and ensure high levels of food preparation and kitchen cleanliness is maintained across all kitchen and dining areas as well as ensuring a high standard of catering service is provided.

Our standards are high and meals are prepared daily from fresh ingredients. We need someone who can work quickly and safely, be part of a team and has the confidence to interact with staff and students.

For more information, please read the job description and person specification in the information pack available for download.

As the ideal candidate you will:

• Have experience of working in a busy kitchen
• Have a resilient character and a strong personal drive
• Be able to take ownership of tasks and complete to a high standard
• Have a health & safety and/or food hygiene qualification but it’s not essential
• Be a team player that can work collaboratively as well as using your own initiative
• Be flexible in covering other team members when required, even if it’s on the other campus
• Be calm and professional under pressure with the ability to adapt to challenges and opportunities with a solution-oriented perspective
• Have a flexible attitude towards work

How to apply:

Please click 'apply' on the website you are visiting or go to www.arkalexandra.org/jobs/vacancies to complete an online application form.

Please note:

we are unable to accept applications via CV. We will also be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this advert may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. Early application is strongly encouraged. You will be able to pause, save and log back in to complete your application up until the vacancy closes.

If you’re interested in further information about our school or the Ark network, please download the attachments from the application website.

To arrange an informal conversation about the role or an informal visit, please contact HR on [e-mail]

Benefits

• We offer health benefits such as
• Local Government Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Healthcare Cashplan
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Staff discounts (online and in-store) via instant vouchers or reloadable gift cards from the Ark Rewards scheme.
• Opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the network

Find out more about the benefits of working for Ark at https://arkonline.org/careers/why-work-with-us/.

About Us

We are committed to creating one of the top performing schools in the UK, right here in Hastings.

Ark Alexandra Academy is a popular secondary operating a ‘One School, Two Campus’ model since September 2024, offering unique opportunities for professional growth and development for our staff, and a more bespoke and supportive learning environment for our students.

The school is on a rapid journey of improvement, driven by a traditional, evidence-based approach and a culture of high expectations, which was reflected in a significant uplift in GCSE results for 2025. Highlights include:

• 65% of students achieved a 4+ in English and maths
• A record 13% increase in students passing English and Maths
• Disadvantaged students and those with SEND saw an even greater pass rate in English and Maths of 16% and 17% respectively
• Indicative Progress 8 score has increased from –0.8 (2024) to +0.1 (2025), representing one of the biggest turnarounds in the UK

We uphold traditional values of discipline, courtesy and respect, and are a strict no mobile phone school, ensuring a calm and purposeful learning environment where students are ready to learn.

As part of the Ark network, Ark Alexandra Academy has access to the dedicated support of a highly successful MAT with a well-regarded CPD offer for leaders and teachers at all levels and a developing programme for support staff. In addition, the school is part of the Hastings DfE Education Investment Area giving an increased focus on the region, potential funding, and genuine opportunities for collaboration between schools.

Join us on this exciting journey to transform education in Hastings.

Visit arkalexandra.org/jobs to learn more about us and see our current vacancies.

Diversity and inclusion:

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click link.

Safeguarding statement:

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment – this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.