School Head Chef

ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL NEWCASTLE; North East; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious independent school is seeking an enthusiastic Head Chef to lead its Catering Services, providing high-quality meals for students and staff. Responsibilities include managing food preparation, ensuring safety standards, and overseeing the catering team. Candidates need relevant culinary qualifications and a commitment to excellent service. The position is full-time, term-time only, with a salary of approximately £34k gross per annum.

Benefits

Excellent benefits

Inclusive workplace

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include City & Guilds and Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Must understand dietary requirements and food allergies.
• Ability to work as part of a team in a busy environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare seasonal, traditional, and specialty style dishes.
• Ensure hygiene, food safety, and Health and Safety standards.
• Manage stock and procurement for the Catering Department.

Skills

Teamwork

Food safety awareness

Time management

Customer focus

Flexibility

Education

City & Guilds 706/1/2 Qualification

Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

THE POSITION

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and talented Head Chef to join our Catering Services team in providing a high quality, professional and responsive catering service to the Junior and Senior Schools and staff. The Head Chef will report to the Head of Catering Services.

Service is cafeteria style and offers a wide choice including soup, a choice of hot and cold main courses and puddings, a vegetarian dish, open sandwiches, and salad meals. The team prepare around 1,500 meals each day as well as preparing a number of formal dinners over the academic year for between 30 and 120 guests.

Very little frozen food is used and the team, working together, takes great pride in producing interesting and healthy food whilst catering for a wide variety of dietary requirements.

THE SCHOOL

In 1525, the Mayor of Newcastle, Thomas Horsley, wrote his will, in which he generously gifted his estate to fund a grammar school. Five centuries later, Horsley’s vision lives on in the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle’s corridors and classrooms, and his philanthropic spirit drives the RGS's commitment to education.

Few schools can claim a 500-year history. Over the years, the RGS, has continued to flourish as the premier independent school in the North East of England and as one of the country’s leading schools - consistently topping the regional table for academic excellence.

Today, RGS is a fully co-educational school with over 1,300 students aged 7-18 (Years 3 to 13). Its academically selective places are highly sought after.?The school has more than 250 students in the Junior School, which shares the same outstanding site as the Senior School. Its Sixth Form is one of the largest in the independent sector, with more than 340 students.

While RGS prides itself on academic excellence, the school is also known for its emphasis on a holistic education. The school’s ‘There’s More to Life’ approach informs its holistic education, which is central to students’ success, health and happiness.

RGS is based in the heart of Newcastle, immediately opposite Jesmond Metro station. The school occupies over 30 acres of land and has state-of-the-art facilities, including five brand new art studios, a new library, a modern Sixth Form Centre, a 25m swimming pool, two Sports Halls, a Performing Arts Centre, outdoor football/rugby pitches at Mooracres, an artificial turf pitch for hockey and the former County Cricket Ground.

Academic Success

RGS is a special place, known and respected throughout the whole country as well as the North East. It's a place where aspirations are high, results are outstanding, and opportunities are endless. Our students go on to study highly selective courses at the most sought-after universities but also leave the school realising that life outside the classroom has been equally beneficial.

In 2023, RGS was named ‘Independent School of the Year’ overall in The Telegraph Group’s national awards. Most recently, the school was again named North East Independent Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2025 by The Sunday Times’ Parent Power Schools Guide.

Academically, the school is highly selective. Students are assessed for entry at the key entry points (Y3, Y5, Y7, and a handful at Y9, plus Sixth Form). The biggest entry points are Y3 (60 students), Y7 (c.75 students) and Y12 (c.45 students). Beyond the academics, in Junior School (Y3-6), entry is assessed through activity days, whilst at Y7, students are assessed through online tests and an interaction day. Sixth Form entry is through interview only.

Students sit baseline tests in Y7, Y10, and Y12 – the average GLA CAT score for both the current Y7 and Y12 is 117. We have several students who have the assistance of our dedicated Learning Support Team, which works across Junior and Senior School.

Co-curricular Activities

At RGS, students can choose from over 170 co-curricular activities, ranging from music, drama, and sports to unique options like e-sports and knitting. All students are encouraged to discover what excites and inspires them.

Sport is also a central part of life at RGS, with students actively participating in a variety of activities including hockey, cricket, and basketball, from early morning until late afternoon. RGS views sport as a fundamental vehicle for students to develop lifelong skills, character, resilience – and, above all, a love for daily movement.

While it may seem tricky to balance schoolwork with so many exciting co-curricular and sporting activities, RGS has found that students actively engaged outside the classroom often perform even better academically. Both programs are designed to help students develop essential life skills, from self-awareness to decision-making and self-organisation.

Pastoral Care

We understand that all of our students are unique and different, and we strive to treat them as individuals, aiming to tailor our care to meet their needs.

That is why pastoral care is another critical cornerstone of RGS’s holistic approach. Student well-being is embedded throughout school life, from a dedicated Form Teacher and an allocated Tutor to easy access to the school Medical Team and counsellors who work together to help students reach their full potential.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The principal duty will be to prepare seasonal, traditional and specialty style dishes and manage all foodstuffs in accordance with requirements. Other duties will include:

• Maintain statutory and school standards of hygiene, food safety and Health and Safety.
• To deliver and provide food and beverages to the highest standards within the financial budget limitations and in line with School Healthy Eating guidance.
• Oversight of stock management and procurement of all items for the Catering Department.
• With the support of the Head of Catering Services, manage the catering function with direct line management of the Assistant Chefs.
• To maintain good relations between the Catering Department and the whole school community including working with the School council.
• In the absence of the Head of Catering Services you will be required to step up and ensure the continuous smooth operation of the Catering Department.
• Food Preparation and Service, including packed lunches when required.
• General cleaning duties.
• Occasional weekday and weekend overtime to support special functions/events in school.
• Lunch counter service
• Setting up of functions including internal and external events, Junior School parent conferences, student interviews and exams etc.
• Working independently or in close cooperation with other support staff teams, actively assisting in the provision of support services across the school, e.g. setting up and clearing away after events to ensure the school is ready for students the following day.
• Attending and leading in team meetings, training activities and performance development as required.
• Other reasonable additional duties which may be required from time to time.

THE TEAM

The Head Chef will join a multi-disciplinary catering team consisting of the Head of Catering Services, 4 Assistant Chefs and a team of Catering Assistants.

QUALIFICATIONS/TRAINING/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

The following are essential:

• Minimum of City & Guilds 706/1/2 Qualification
• Food Hygiene Certificate
• An understanding of different dietary requirements and food allergies
• An ability to work as a member of a team in a busy environment
• Equally, an ability to show initiative and work with minimal supervision
• Take a pride in their work
• A strong commitment to quality standards and good practice as they relate to Catering operations, including:
• An awareness of health and safety, food safety, safe use of cleaning materials and environmental health issues associated with an understanding of COSHH Safety procedures.
• A willingness to actively support the ethos and vision of the school.
• The post holder must show a professional, positive and enthusiastic approach to work and must be flexible and sensitive to the needs of a wide range of school users.

They must:

• be customer focused.
• be confident and courteous.
• be organised and methodical.
• have good timekeeping.
• have a tidy appearance.
• Show an understanding, or willingness to learn the issues associated with working among young people in a school.

The following are desirable:

Experience of working in a school or similar environment.

HEALTH & SAFETY

An awareness of Health and Safety, and environmental health issues are essential. Assisting the Head of Catering Services in providing lunch for over 1500 pupils and staff in a safe environment for the school community and its visitors, the post holder must perform their duties in accordance with the school’s health and safety procedures and policies, taking remedial action and reporting hazards where additional action is required.

• Ensure that appropriate signage is in place when cleaning is in progress.
• Make safe any hazards where possible, and ensure the area is cordoned off.
• Ensure that all allocated equipment and materials are stored safely and securely in order to prevent unauthorised access and potential accidents/misuse.

MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• This is an operational post which reports to the Head of Catering Services, who in turn reports to the Director of Finance and Operations.
• This is a permanent, full time, term time only position.
• Start date will be 1st September 2025, pending completion of the successful candidate’s safer recruitment checks.
• In addition, the Head Chef will be required to work on all staff training days which are spread throughout the year and the annual safeguarding training day.
• Except for a few days at the start and end of each main School holiday (Summer, Christmas and Easter) the Head Chef will not be expected to attend for work during the students’ school holidays or during the week of each half term. Single day pupils’ holidays will be a normal working day.
• Given the requirements of the role, holiday during term time is not permitted.
• Normal Working Hours- In return for this paid holiday entitlement, the staff are expected to display some flexibility over hours worked during term time. Normal hours of work are 7am-3pm, (40 hours per week) but this is often extended so that a tea can be provided at various events and meetings for parents and/or visitors.
• Weekend Working Hours- A Head Chef can expect to work most Saturdays during term time, usually 3-4 hours. The earliest start time will generally be 10am and the latest finish time will generally be 5.15pm. Further information will be shared with candidates at interview. The requirement is to provide either a lunch or tea for sports fixtures. For these extra hours, pay will be at the normal overtime rate (time x 1.5).
• Evening Working Hours- There are about 20 special evening events throughout the year, which may consist of either a formal meal or a buffet or providing coffee and biscuits during the interval of a concert.
• The salary for this post will be c34k gross per annum (based on a 40-hour working week). As the role is term time only + 4 staff days, the actual salary is c27k.
• RGS staff salaries are reviewed on 1st August each year.
• The employee will be required to comply with a range of RGS policies, in particular, those regarding Data protection, use of ICT facilities, Child protection, Staff Code and Health and safety, a copy of which will be made available.

Excellent benefits available- please visit our website for full details

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates are advised to read the ‘Information for Applicants’ with particular care before applying.

Enquiries about this post should be made in the first instance to Graeme Toms (Head of Catering Services) in the first instance. For an informal chat about the post, contact Graeme Toms on 0191 281 5711.

Please visit rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/join-us/work-with-us to access our application form and further information for applicants and details on where to send your application form.

Early applications are encouraged as interviews may take place on an ongoing basis and an appointment may be made before the closing date.

Applications to reach us by 9.00am Monday 25th August 2025 and should include:

1. A covering letter and

2. A fully completed RGS application form.

Note: You must complete the application form, even if you want to also attach a CV.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

RGS is committed to the safeguarding of children and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and those working in school to share this commitment. The school applies the Government’s Keeping Children Safe in Education Safer Recruitment procedures to all candidates including appropriate pre-interview checks on shortlisted candidates and pre-employment checks pending any offer. More information regarding the checks can be found in our Information for Applicants here, and ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (September 2024)

Equal Opportunities

We are looking to appoint staff from a wide variety of backgrounds. Not just because it is the right thing to do but because at the RGS we recognise that those different experiences provide fresh perspectives, opportunities to challenge existing beliefs and provide opportunities to act as excellent role models for our diverse student body. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse school culture and our staff are at the heart of this. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of neurodivergence, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

We strive to achieve a diverse workforce, fully representative of our pluralistic society and the ethnic make-up of the student population in the UK. People of colour are under-represented on our staff team. We are keen to attract applicants from a diverse pool of candidates and determined to be a fully inclusive employer, and a great workplace for people of Black, Asian, and ethnic minority heritage as well as White heritage.

We encourage all candidates to complete an ‘equal opportunities’ form with your application. This will be sent directly to the HR team for monitoring purposes.