About this role
Catering Manager
The Wordsley School, Stour Vale Academy Trust Grade: SVT 7 | 37 hours per week | Term Time Only
Salary: Support staff pay scale grade 7 point 18 (£26,761) to point 23 (£29,220).
Join us and help shape a positive, healthy dining experience for our school community.
A unique opportunity to make a difference in a dynamic and forward-thinking school, which prides itself on its culture and ethos.
Are you a passionate and experienced catering professional ready to lead a busy school kitchen? The Wordsley School is seeking an enthusiastic and organised Catering Manager to oversee our catering provision and deliver a high-quality dining experience for our pupils, staff and visitors.
About the RoleAs Catering Manager, you will take full operational responsibility for the school’s catering service. You will lead, inspire and manage a team of catering staff to deliver nutritious, high-quality meals in a safe, clean and welcoming environment—aligned with our ethos of “excellence for all.”
Key responsibilities include:
Managing the day-to-day running of the kitchen and dining servicePlanning, preparing and delivering appealing, healthy menusLeading and developing a team of catering staffManaging the catering budget, stock control and minimising wasteEnsuring high standards of food hygiene, health & safety, and allergen complianceMaintaining accurate records, including quality assurance and statutory documentationCreating a positive dining experience for pupils and staffYou will also work closely with the School Business Manager and external catering partners to continuously improve the service and meet the needs of the school community.
What We’re Looking ForWe are looking for a motivated and hands-on professional with:
Proven experience managing a busy kitchen and delivering high-quality food within budgetStrong leadership skills, with experience supervising and motivating teamsKnowledge of food hygiene, allergen legislation (including Natasha’s Law), and health & safety standardsExperience in menu planning and promoting healthy eatingExcellent organisational and communication skillsA commitment to high standards, attention to detail and customer careRelevant qualifications such as NVQ Level 3 in Catering (or equivalent) and Food Hygiene certification are essential.
Why Join Us?Term-time working for a better work-life balanceA supportive and inclusive school environmentOpportunity to lead and shape a valued service within the schoolOngoing training and professional developmentSafeguarding StatementStour Vale Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will carry out pre-appointment checks including DBS and will disqualify any applicant where we consider the outcomes to be unsatisfactory. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. We are equally committed to ensuring that no applicant will be disadvantaged or discriminated against because of their protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.For full details of the role, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.
If you would like to have an informal telephone conversation about this post or arrange a visit to see the school, please contact Mrs Rachel Potter on 01384 816015. In addition, a wealth of information about our school can be found on our website: https://www.wordsleyschool.co.uk/
To apply for the post, please complete an application form in My New Term.
Deadline for applications: Midnight Sunday 9th August 2026.