School Chef & Catering Teacher (KS1-KS3)

At Octavia House Schools, we have a passionate team delivering high quality trauma-centred therapeutic education, supporting and building relationships with pupils who have adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and complex social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, as well as other associated special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Octavia House schools have been leading the way in therapeutic education since 2012. Recent Independent School Inspectorate’s routine and material change inspections of our London and Essex schools were successful and highlighted a rare significant strength. This is in addition to our previous outstanding Ofsted reports which demonstrate the strength of our provision across all sites and the success of our specialist therapeutic approach

We have a unique & exciting opportunity for a  School Chef / Catering Teacher to make a genuine difference in our pupils' lives across our new trauma-centred therapeutic secondary school (KS1-KS3) in Maidstone, Kent.

We are seeking a dynamic teaching chef to join our team on a  full-time basis , from the January 2027. The successful colleague will coordinate the daily preparation of breakfast, snacks and lunch for both pupils and colleagues on site. Whilst also holding teaching responsibilities, including the teaching of our ‘catering pathway’.

Although we are a specialist setting, we proactively welcome applications from experienced mainstream colleagues, from varying disciplines, who would like to extend their skill base.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Deliver high-quality, engaging lessons aligned with the OHS curriculum

• Creating and maintaining a well-managed, calm, secure and happy classroom where priority is given to the quality of the learning environment.

• Contributing to breakfast, break, lunch, assembly, exercise and extra-curricular provision

• Assessing pupils’ academic and SEMH progress using our assessment milestones and SEMH scale, completing achievement reports for families and placing authorities

• Adhere to the schools’ relationships-first policy, ethos and procedures, to support pupils’ positive behaviour, and improvements in behaviour over time

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT OHS:

• New, highly-competitive pay scales

• An opportunity to be part of a unique, seamless therapeutic team model.

• Vitality's private healthcare package which includes health, medical and dental insurance, lifestyle benefits, heavily-discounted gym membership and various rewards.

• Opportunities for high-quality professional development and career progression, and financial support of up to 100% towards relevant professional qualifications.

Early applications are encouraged. We welcome candidates who are available to start in January 2027.

You may be required to attend an onboarding programme which includes training and welcome days prior to January 2027. This will be discussed in more detail during the recruitment process.