Head Chef
Head Chef
Location: Hawkswood School
Hours: 20 hours per week (Term Time Only)
Salary: Scale 5 Point 12-16 (£16,208 – 17,181)
Closing Date: 23rd November 2026
Shortlisting: 24th November 2026
Interview Date: 1st December 2026
About the Role
Hawkswood School is an Alternative Provision consisting of both primary and secondary aged pupils with a total commission of 56 pupils. We are seeking a passionate, organised and skilled Chef to lead our school kitchen and provide nutritious, high-quality meals for students and staff.
This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in a specialist setting, supporting young people through healthy, balanced food in a positive and well-managed kitchen environment.
Role expectations
In general, the role of a Head Chef is to deliver appealing and delicious school meals, maintain high food safety standards regarding allergen awareness and hygiene, effectively manage costs, and lead a kitchen team effectively.
Additional desirable criteria are an understanding of budgeting, menu planning and ideas around innovative school food initiatives. These can be taught to a Head Chef during the Transformation training, and candidates should be made aware that these will be their responsibilities going forward, if successful.
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience working as a Chef in a professional kitchen
- Can plan and prepare fresh, nutritious meals within budget
- Understands food hygiene, health and safety regulations
- Is organised, reliable and able to work independently
- Has a genuine commitment to safeguarding and supporting vulnerable young people
What We Offer
- A supportive and welcoming staff team
- The opportunity to shape and develop the school food offer
- A rewarding role within a specialist education setting
- Childcare vouchers scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free eye tests and £50 towards lenses and frames.
Safeguarding Commitment
The Hawkswood Group is committed to promoting the safeguarding of children. Please note that this position requires an enhanced DBS and safeguarding checks will be carried out prior to appointment.
In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (2026), all shortlisted candidates will be subject to online searches.
The successful applicant must be able to form and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with children, young people and vulnerable adults and demonstrate an understanding of the pressures associated with working with vulnerable learners.
This role requires an enhanced DBS check and full safeguarding clearance.
How to Apply
Please refer to the job description and person specification for full details.
Visit our website to download an application form: www.hawkswoodgroup.org.uk
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sarah Smith – Acting Headteacher, Hawkswood School on 0208 289 4651.
Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged.
Please send completed application forms to recruitment@hawkswoodgroup.org.uk
Equal Opportunities
Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both, service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population. We use our statutory duties on race, gender and disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace. The Council is committed to meeting its 4 equality objectives: - Promoting equality of opportunity - Opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance and disadvantage - Ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels. - Providing fair, appropriate, accessible and excellent Services to all. Respecting Diversity is a core Council value. To support the above and reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. The council also operates a scheme whereby, for jobs graded up to and including scale SO2, internal candidates are considered first. This includes those candidates who self-identify as having a disability for the purposes of the Disability Confident scheme. For more information, please refer to our recruitment and selection policy
How to apply
Email address or postal address for return of applications: recruitment@hawkswoodgroup.org.uk