Working with us

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a passionate Second Chef to join our catering team. You will support the Head Chef and work with the school’s team of chefs to provide a high-quality catering service to staff and students at Bedales School.

Our catering team is friendly & approachable with a pro-active attitude, motivated by a passion for quality and great service delivery. As a flexible team player, with excellent communication skills, your working style will support and enhance this ethos.

Bedales School is a unique educational establishment, set in the beautiful Hampshire countryside. Our aim is to create an environment where questioning, divergent thinking and freedom to learn from mistakes are all encouraged. Central to our success is the sense that each person is a member of our community whose voice is entitled to be heard and treated with respect. Both our staff and students expect of each other the best kind of relationships – co-operative, authentic and trustful.

Duties

Preparing and cooking food items to the specifications determined by the Head Chef:

• Being responsible for the provision of meals of excellent standards whilst working within the constraints of the catering budget and to a minimum wastage policy.
• Working to high standards of hygiene and basic food hygiene.
• Deputising in the absence of the Head Chef.

Please read the job description for more details.

This post is Regulated Activity.

Experience & Background

The ideal candidate will need to meet the following criteria:

• NVQ Level 2 in Catering
• Experience within a high-volume catering environment
• Have a friendly & approachable character
• Enjoy working as a part of a large team
• Self-motivated with the ability to work in a pressurised environment
• Motivated by a passion for quality and great service delivery
• A flexible and pro-active team player

A smart and tidy appearance is imperative to this role.

Hours of Work

45 hours per week term time, usually 33 weeks per annum, plus an additional 240 hours to be worked over the year normally during half terms for deep cleaning and / or pre and post term. The post will be contracted up to a total of 42 weeks per annum.

Salary

£30,026 per annum based on the above hours and weeks of work.

Benefits

• Pension with Royal London
• Funded Healthcare Cash Plan
• Salary Extras Benefits Platform
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Personal accident cover
• Life Assurance
• Free lunch and breakfast are provided during term time 
• Free on-site parking
• Beautiful working environment

Closing Date:  9:00am, Monday 21 September 2026

Interviews will be held on a rolling basis during the advertising period. Please note we reserve the right to close the vacancy early in light of a large response.

Pre-Appointment Checks

All candidates will undergo a Safeguarding Suitability Interview and application for an Enhanced DBS and Barred List check and be asked to provide evidence they are eligible to work in the UK, on an on-going basis, at the shortlist stage of the selection process.

How to Apply

To find out more about this opportunity, candidates can contact our Head of Catering for an informal discussion with details of their experience by email to: mpotts@bedales.org.uk

Suitable candidates must complete our full application process via our online recruitment portal. CVs cannot be accepted in lieu of an application form.

If you require assistance on this recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment Team on 01730 711556.

Safeguarding Statement

Bedales is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All candidates will undergo a Safeguarding Suitability Interview and child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The safeguarding responsibilities of the post include :

• Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children;
• fostering a culture of openness, safety, equality and protection;
• providing a safe and welcoming environment where both children and adults feel secure, able to talk and believe that they are being listened to;
• playing a key role in prevention of harm and an equal responsibility to act on any suspicion or disclosure that may indicate a child is at risk of harm;
• When concerned about the welfare of a student, acting in the best interests of the student.

All staff have a key role to play in identifying concerns early and in providing help for children.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.