Head Chef jobs in South Africa

Location: Woolton
Salary: 12.77 - 13.50 per hour
Hours: 07:00am - 14:30pm (Full Time, Term Time Only)
Start Date: 8th December 2025

Prospero Teaching is partnering with a wonderful SEN School in Woolton to find an experienced School Cook / Head Cook to join their team on a temporary-to-permanent basis. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the wellbeing and development of students with additional needs, including those with mental health challenges and learning difficulties.

• Make a Difference: This is more than just a cooking role – you’ll be helping to nurture and support young people who face significant challenges. Many of the students have experienced trauma, neglect, or chaotic home lives, and your presence in the school will offer them stability and a positive role model.
• Build Meaningful Connections: You’ll have the chance to build lasting relationships with students who truly need guidance. Your role will involve more than just providing meals – it’s about being a mentor, a role model, and a key part of their support network.
• Work with a Dedicated Team: You’ll be working within a secondary school with pupils aged 11‑17. With a close‑knit team of staff, you’ll help create a nurturing environment where each student feels safe, respected, and valued.

• Mentoring & Support: As a School Cook, your responsibilities will go beyond the kitchen. You’ll engage with students, offering mentoring and guidance in a variety of settings – from the classroom to vocational activities.
• Student Wellbeing: While your primary role is cooking, your mentorship skills (often used in sports, drama, or counselling) will be integral in encouraging students to engage with school life and participate in activities that build their confidence and skills.
• Temporary to Permanent: This role starts as a temporary contract with the potential to become permanent, depending on performance. If you excel, the school is open to offering a longer‑term opportunity.

• Experience: A background in school cooking or a related field is essential. Experience in working with young people, particularly in Special Educational Needs (SEN) environments, is highly desirable. A background in mentoring or support roles such as TA, tutoring, or youth work will be an advantage.

• A Food Hygiene Certificate is required.
• A passion for working with young people and helping them thrive is a must!
• Right to work in the UK.
• Enhanced DBS (child barred list) registered with the online update service or willingness to process a new one.

• Salary: 12.77 - 13.50 per hour.
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 07:00 am - 14:30 pm (Term Time Only).
• Contract: Full‑time, Temporary to Permanent (with the potential for a permanent contract based on performance).

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Prospero Teaching is acting as an employment business/education recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy. The successful candidate will be required to complete safeguarding and vetting checks before starting.

We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the adverts should we receive a sufficient level of interest!