Chef

Hours: Full Time, 36 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (term time only)

Salary: £27,237 - £29,300 (NJC Scale 5 depending on skills and abilities)

Closing date: 27th June 2025, 5pm

Start date: As soon as possible

Contract term: Permanent

As our Chef, you’ll lead the training kitchen at Horizon Campus, working with young people aged 16 and over who have additional special needs. This is more than a culinary role, it’s a chance to inspire, mentor, and equip learners with the skills they need to thrive in the hospitality and catering industry. 

We’re looking for someone who is: 

• Experienced in the food industry and passionate about culinary arts 

• Committed to inclusive education and supporting learners with special needs 

• Organised, creative, and confident in managing a professional kitchen 

• Excited to mentor young people and help them build real-world skills 

You’ll oversee all aspects of the kitchen, from sourcing local ingredients and managing stock to delivering qualifications and guiding learners through hands-on cooking experiences. The kitchen is linked to a local community café, giving learners the opportunity to cook for a real audience and gain valuable hospitality experience 

If you’re someone who believes in the power of food to educate, empower, and connect, and you’re ready to bring your expertise to a role that makes a lasting impact—we’d love to hear from you. 

We have an attractive employee benefits package, including:

• Pension scheme with 19.01% employer contributions

• Supportive learning culture with funded continuous professional development (CPD)

• Professional networking opportunities

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

• Opportunity to make your mark in a highly rewarding and meaningful role

Based in the borough of Enfield, we provide education to children and young adults with special educational needs and disabilities, from the ages of 4 to 25. We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. 

Our four campuses – Meridian, Haselbury, Learning for Life and Horizon – serve more than 500 learners and are home to 230 employees.

We’re a strong community that works together with the common goal of helping each other to flourish. Our learners leave confident and able to progress onto further education and work.

We’re a disability confident employer that’s Investors in People accredited, with firmly held values placed at our core.

THE SCHOOL AT A GLANCE

• There has been a school at Haselbury Road since 1938, which turned into a special school in 1970. 

• In 2014, there were 80 learners on a single site. We’ve grown a lot since then.

• We cater for students with a range of complex special educational needs and disabilities.

• We’ve expanded rapidly in response to increased demand across the borough of Enfield.

• Throughout their journey, learners develop vital life and work skills, as well as achieve academically.

• Our provision includes the Attendance Support Service (ASU), Home Tuition Service and a post 16 programme that enables learners to go to a local college.

• Our Travel Training Programme enables learners to travel confidently and independently. 

• We actively prepare learners for adulthood and the workplace. This is key to what makes us special.

• Learners gain work experience with local employers and through our partnerships with the Enterprise Cooperative Trust (ECT) and Learning for Life Charity (LFLC).

• Our Supported Internship Programme gives young people aged 16 to 25 an opportunity to work. 80% of our interns get jobs and 90% retain them.

• We’re a founder member of the Enterprise Cooperative Trust.

West Lea School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be subject to a full Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure and checks regarding proof of ID, medical clearance and the right to work in the UK. CVs will not be accepted. The postholder may be required to work at any West Lea School site.