Prep chef (term time only)

The Grammar School at Leeds; Leeds; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced school holidays

School fee discount

Staff lunches

Pension plan

CPD training

Free parking

Job summary

The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is seeking a skilled Chef to join our busy catering team. You will help prepare and present nutritious meals and a fresh daily salad bar for pupils and staff, ensuring high standards and compliance with school and statutory regulations.

We value experience in large-scale school catering, a proactive team mindset, and a commitment to food safety. The role is primarily term-time, with some ad-hoc holiday days and weekend fixtures as required.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 or City & Guilds 706/1/2 (or equivalent) in food preparation.
• Level 3 Food Hygiene and Safety qualification.
• Experience in large-scale school or commercial catering.
• Ability to work as part of a team in a busy kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present fresh daily meals and salad bar.
• Maintain food safety and hygiene standards.
• Support Head Chef with allergen management and recipes.
• Assist with events and occasional ad-hoc holiday days.

Education

NVQ Level 3 or City & Guilds 706/1/2 (or equivalent)

Level 3 Food Hygiene and Safety

Job description

The Vacancy

• Contract: Permanent, term-time only plus five days (with some requirement to work ad-hoc days during holiday periods for events)

• Hours: 7am-3pm Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week term time only (school holidays off)

• Salary: GSAL 12 (£26,104 FTE), Actual term time only salary is: £23,720.87 per annum, £13.54 per hour

A chef role with a better work-life balance!

If you love working in a busy kitchen but are looking for a role that gives you more time away from work, this could be the perfect opportunity. As an independent school, GSAL has generous school holiday periods, and this role is primarily term-time only, giving you significantly more time off across the year than many traditional hospitality or catering roles.

With regular Monday to Friday hours of 7am -3pm, no regular late evening shifts and the majority of school holidays free, this role offers a level of routine and flexibility that can be difficult to find within the catering industry. There is some requirement to work occasional ad-hoc days during the school holidays for events, as well as some weekend sport fixtures on a rota basis, but overall the role provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy a rewarding catering career alongside a healthier work-life balance.

The role

The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is looking for a skilled and enthusiastic Chef to join our dynamic catering team. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced, high-quality environment where your culinary skills will make a difference to the daily experience of our pupils, colleagues, and visitors.

As Chef, you will play a key role in the preparation and presentation of fresh daily salad bar and nutritious meals, ensuring they are delivered to the highest standards and in line with both school expectations and statutory regulations. You will support the Head Chef with maintaining allergen requirements and recipes, managing food safety and hygiene standards, and contributing to the overall smooth operation of the kitchen.

Our ideal candidate will hold NVQ Level 3 or City & Guilds 706/1/2 (or equivalent) qualifications in food preparation and cooking, along with Level 3 Food Hygiene and Safety. You will have experience working in a large-scale commercial or school catering environment and enjoy being part of a team that values innovation, professionalism, and excellent customer service.

Catering colleagues need to be available to work some ad-hoc days during the school holiday periods to assist with events as well as some weekends for school sport fixtures on a rota basis. In return, catering colleagues receive an additional retainer payment during this period which is included in the salary. Experience in a school or large commercial catering setting, along with a proactive attitude and the ability to work well as part of a team, is essential.

Our friendly catering team of 29 colleagues works across three kitchens and service areas and plays an important part in everyday school life. It is a supportive, sociable team where everyone works together to deliver a great experience for pupils, colleagues and visitors.

Why GSAL?

GSAL is a warm, friendly and values-led community where colleagues feel supported, trusted and encouraged to make a real difference.

Food and hospitality are at the heart of school life, and we are committed to providing an exceptional dining and hospitality experience that reflects the quality and ambition of our school.

We're proud to be:

• The Sunday Times Best Place to Work 2026

• Mental Health in Schools Award 2026

• Investors in Diversity Silver Award 2026

• North Independent School of the Year 2024

• Independent School of the Decade 2021

Most of all, we're proud of the colleagues whose expertise, commitment and professionalism help create an outstanding experience for our pupils, families and visitors every day.

Benefits

• Enhanced school holidays (approximately 15 weeks taking into account the 5 paid plus days)
• Significant discount on school fees (eligibility applies)
• Subsidised childcare provided for colleagues' children during school INSET days (from the age of 3 up to age 11)
• Personal pension plan with Aviva up to 5% employee contribution and 10% employer (with the facility to pay higher or lower employee contributions)
• Training and CPD available including 5+ inset days
• Colleague lunches: three courses for £2.40 available during school lunchtimes plus free tea, coffee and hot chocolate
• Access to our GP provider, Health hero
• Access to a subsidised corporate Simplyhealth plan, helping you claim money back towards dental care, glasses, health assessments and a range of treatments
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme well-being app, Perkbox, offering telephone counselling, financial and legal advice plus 6-8 face-to-face counselling sessions
• Colleague discounts through multiple providers, including Perkbox discounts for teachers and Extras
• Beautiful lunch time walking routes around our 100+ acre site
• Onsite gym and swimming pool available for colleague use within set times as well as staff classes such as Pilates, meditation, kettlebells, spinning and bootcamps
• Salary sacrifice schemes for cycle to work
• Free car parking available on site
• Use of the school's extensive library facility
• Generous leave of absence scheme to support our employees when they need it
• Opportunity to be involved in extracurricular activities such as the staff pantomime, well-being committee or volunteer for community events
• A great culture and supportive Senior Leadership Team

Closing date for applications: 8am Monday 28 September

Interview date: To be confirmed w/c 5th October