Chef
Aurora Chaldon School
Surrey
- £26,015.79 - £29,160.56 per year
- Expired
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Apply by:
- 6 October 2025
Job overview
Chef
Location: Rockshaw Road, Chaldon, Surrey
Contract: Full-time, Permanent, Term time only
Salary: £14.56 - £16.32 per hour
Actual annual salary: £26,015.79 - £29,160.56
Hours: 40 hours per week
Start date: As soon as possible
Aurora Chaldon School
As part of our growth strategy, The Aurora Group are really pleased to be opening a brand new SEND Secondary School in September 2025 in Chaldon, Surrey for young people aged 11-16 who require support with social communication, emotional regulation and sensory processing, typically associated with Autism. All our students have access to a broad and exciting curriculum, allied to the national curriculum, personalised to meet their needs, interests and passions. With a model of small classes, high levels of classroom support and a supernumerary multi-disciplinary intervention team we are able to give students “every opportunity to achieve”
We are looking to recruit a Chef to join our team at Chaldon School. This is an exciting opportunity to join the school at the start of their journey. You will be based at Aurora Chaldon school with a requirement to work out of our satellite site Caterham when required.
The main purpose of the role:
The purpose of the Chef will be to lead the Catering Team to assist the School Business Manager in producing bespoke, high-quality meals and snacks for our young people and staff.
Key duties:
- To produce seasonal menus, daily bespoke school meals, serving guidelines and function catering as required, and to the satisfaction of, and standards of, the School Business Manager – based on engagement with SLT, our young people and their families
- In consultation with the School Business Manager, plan and develop interesting, innovative and varied seasonal menus, taking advantage of locally sourced fresh ingredients wherever possible, within budget.
- To prepare food adhering to menu plans, considering any special dietary requirements and food allergies, portion control, ensuring that all food produced is presented and served to the highest standard, at the required times.
- To assist in ordering appropriate stock as required alongside the School Business Manager, and to ensure that deliveries are checked against the order book.
- In the absence of the School Business Manager, to manage the Catering Department efficiently and effectively, providing a good role model and leading by example.
- To demonstrate a positive working style with an enthusiastic, committed and flexible attitude.
- In the planning and production of meals and snacks, to minimise waste wherever possible.
- To work as a team, using available time to complete food preparation and ordering ahead of schedule.
- To demonstrate a thorough understanding and safe usage of all kitchen equipment.
- To keep records of production/consumption/wastage and to produce monthly reports for the School Business Manager.
- To correctly implement and adhere to cleaning schedules to ensure that the kitchen / Dinning and ancillary areas maintain the highest standards of hygiene.
- To work as instructed to ensure the Catering Department operates at maximum efficiency within budgetary targets to deliver the required level of service at all times.
- To be aware of food stock levels and bring to the attention of the School Business Manager if stock is running low. Ensure there is always sufficient food stock in place to deliver and cater students and staff meal requirement. General communication of food stocks should be addressed daily.
- To assist with a physical stock take at the end of each term as well as at the end of academic year.
- To be confident in the correct and safe operation of all kitchen equipment and chemicals, (training will be given) and to complete tasks as instructed.
- To undertake food production in line with legal requirements.
- Ensure to complete the required checks regarding fridge / freezer temperatures, hot and cold food holding temperatures, and all other Food and Health Safety documents required by law at all times.
Duties will vary, you must expect to diversify and lend a hand wherever is required.
Successful candidate qualities:
- Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering
- Level 2 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles
- NVQ Level 2 in Cookery.
- Level 3 Award in Supervising Food Safety in Catering (desirable)
- Recent experience of preparing 80+ meals in a commercial kitchen (desirable)
- Proven ability to work to tight deadlines.
- Experience of preparing of menus ensuring balanced meal plans, healthy eating and variety.
- Able to interact effectively with neurodivergent young people
- Use neuro affirmative language and adhere to SLT guidance on the use of language related to food choices and diet which is central to supporting those students with ARFID and eating disorders.
- GCSE standard of literacy, numeracy, written and verbal communication
- Ability to react calmly and quickly in an emergency
- Working knowledge of health and safety legislation (including COSHH regulations, manual handling, and food hygiene procedures) and requirements in relation to food preparation
- Knowledge of Natasha’s Law
Benefits and Additional Information
Be part of our successful team and also benefit from a generous package that includes:
- Life assurance
- Enhanced Pension
- Perkbox - offering high street discounts
- Employee assistance programme
- Car lease scheme
- Fully funded training and qualifications
- Bike to work scheme
- Free membership to our Health cash back plan - Claim back money on services such as dental, optical, physio and many more.
- Free parking
How to apply:
Please complete an online application form in full, remembering to include all employment and education details. If you need any assistance or would like any more information, please contact Liz in the Aurora Group Recruitment Team at liz.hudson@theauroragroup.co.uk
Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group 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.
The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.
This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled.
Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.
Attached documents
About Aurora Chaldon School
- Aurora Chaldon School
- Rockshaw Road, Merstham
- Surrey
- RH1 3DB
- United Kingdom
At The Aurora Group, we believe in giving people the opportunities they need to lead fulfilling, independent lives. Established in 2015, we are now one of the largest providers of education, care and support services for children, young people and adults with special educational needs and disabilities.
Across our network of innovative schools, colleges and residential homes, our dedicated and experienced staff work in collaboration with specialist teams of professionals to enable every young person to explore and develop their own unique talents, skills and abilities. At Aurora Chaldon School, we combine the best elements of mainstream education with the unique specialist and therapeutic provision that each student needs.
We create an environment in which every young person can achieve their own goals and pursue a future of their own choosing.
Our vision is to create an inclusive, welcoming learning environment in which all our students can develop and thrive. Our curriculum offers students the opportunity to follow their interests and passions, developing the skills they need for the next stage of their journey into adulthood.
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Applications closed