Head Chef
Are you passionate about nutritious, high-quality food? Are you looking for a new and rewarding role in a vibrant school community?
We are seeking a hard-working and dedicated Head Chef to join our ‘Excellent’ school, helping to deliver healthy, balanced, and delicious meals for our pupils and staff.
This role is central to the wellbeing of our pupils. The successful candidate will be passionate about preparing nutritious meals from scratch, using fresh, high-quality ingredients.
About Abbotsford Preparatory School
Abbotsford Preparatory School is a co-educational independent school for children aged 4 months to 11 years old in Urmston.
As recently mentioned in the Manchester Evening News, we are proud to be one of the leading independent schools in the Trafford area! Rated ‘Outstanding’, Abbotsford has been judged as having the highest quality in education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership at the school. With our exceptional 11+ provision, Abbotsford provides the necessary knowledge, concepts, skills, and discipline to equip children for further education as well as the ability to become confident and independent individuals for life during academia as well as beyond.
About the Role and You
Contract type: Part-time, all year round
Working hours: 8:45am to 2:45pm, Monday to Friday
Salary: up to £ 23000 per annum, dependent on experience
Start date: February 2026
Application closing date: 30 January 2026
Interviews: 3 February 2026
Your Main Responsibilities will include:
- Plan and prepare healthy, balanced meals cooked from scratch using fresh, seasonal ingredients wherever possible
- Develop menus that promote good nutrition, variety and enjoyment, while meeting school food standards
- Minimise the use of pre-prepared and processed foods, focusing instead on home-style, freshly prepared cooking
- Instil pride in food quality, presentation and taste across all meals served
- Manage, motivate, and support the catering team to ensure smooth daily service.
- Order ingredients, manage stock, and control costs effectively.
- Maintain the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness in line with legal requirements.
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, allergen, and health & safety regulations.
- Complete kitchen paperwork including cleaning schedules, temperature logs, and allergen records.
- Provide catering for special school events and functions as required.
About You: We are looking for someone who has:
- Is genuinely passionate about fresh, from-scratch cooking and children’s nutrition
- Takes pride in preparing wholesome meals rather than relying on convenience foods
- Enjoys working in a school environment where food plays a key role in wellbeing and routine
- Brings creativity, care and consistency to every service
- A Food Hygiene Certificate and allergy-awareness training (or willingness to complete)
- Experience managing a busy kitchen, ideally within a school, nursery or care setting
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and support a small team
- Creativity in menu planning and confidence catering for a wide range of dietary needs
- Excellent organisational skills and a commitment to high standards
- The physical fitness and stamina required for a busy kitchen environment
Why Choose Us?
We’re dedicated to creating an environment where both students and staff flourish. In addition to being part of an exceptional team, here’s what you can expect:
- Access to a collaborative learning community.
- Refer a friend scheme with a financial reward.
- Wellness programme.
- Attractive life assurance package which is 3* your annual salary.
- Free lunch.
- Company Pension
- Company Sick Pay
If this sounds like the role for you, we encourage you to apply today!
We look forward to welcoming you to Abbotsford Prep!
To find out more about this role, please read our Job Description.
If this sounds like the role for you, we encourage you to apply today!
How to Apply
To apply for this role, please fill out our Application Form and return this to recruitment@alphaschools.co.uk along with your CV.
We look forward to welcoming you to Abbotsford Prep!
Abbotsford Preparatory School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants for ALL jobs will undergo appropriate child-protection screening including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to enhanced level, with costs covered by the company. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.