Key Role Information

Salary
£20,707.23 per annum (£29,167.00 full-time equivalent)
Job type
Part Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
16/07/2026 09:00
Interview
w/c 20th July 2026
Contract term
TTO Plus - Term time only plus weeks
Pay grade
Kent Scheme E - 2026
Key stage
Not Applicable
Hours per week
30.00
Weeks per year
39.000
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

Are you passionate about serving great food to young people? If so, come and join The Golden Thread Alliance family of schools as one of our Chef Managers at West Hill Primary Academy.


The post will be for 30 hours per week, working 8am-2pm each day, Monday to Friday, for 39 weeks per year. The additional 1 week (5 days) must be worked across the year; before the start of each term to take in deliveries. You will be paid on Kent Scheme E – 2026, £29,167 (Full time equivalent), actual pro rata salary of £20,707.23 per annum. 


You will need excellent and proven culinary skills, be able to communicate effectively with staff and pupils, and have the drive and passion to lead the team in our goal of providing an excellent catering service that is accessible to all our pupils and staff. Reporting to the Trust Catering Manager, and liaising daily with Business Managers and Headteachers, you will be responsible for the day to day running of a school kitchen, cooking and serving fresh food and managing a dedicated catering team.


Our staff benefits package includes:

  1. Commitment to your ongoing Continued Professional Development
  2. Two family days
  3. Half-day Christmas Shopping Leave 
  4. Access to Local Government Pension scheme/Teachers’ Pensions
  5. Eyecare vouchers through Specsavers
  6. Annual Flu Jab offer for all staff
  7. Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing


Please take a look at the attached colleague benefits to see what we can offer you when working with us.


Please review the full job description carefully, including any physical aspects of the role, and consider how these align with your needs. All new appointments will receive an Occupational Health assessment to identify any required support or reasonable adjustments before starting. 


Notice to Applicants: We do not accept standalone CVs. A formal and complete application form must be submitted should you wish to apply for the role.

Skills

Experience

Experience of working in industrial kitchen
Wide and varied culinary knowledge and production
Proven experience of managing a high-volume quality commercial kitchen operation e.g. hotel/events catering as Chef or Assistant Chef
Experience of leadership and staff supervision
Experience of delivering training and assessment of trainees

Personal Attributes

Ability to work collaboratively and lead a team
Communication skills
Ability to work calmly under pressure
Flexible approach to work
Strong customer focus
Excellent organisational and time management skills and an ability to prioritise
Strong customer focus

Qualifications

CGLI 706/1 & 2 or NVQ Professional Cookery essential
Level 2 accredited Food Safety certificate
Level 3 accredited hygiene certificate

About Us

The Golden Thread Alliance is a Multi-Academy Trust that comprises of Culverstone Green Primary School, Fleetdown Primary Academy, Meopham Community Academy, Oakfield Primary Academy, The Riverview Academy, Temple Hill Primary Academy, West Hill Primary Academy and Wrotham Road Primary.


Each primary has its own unique character, but all subscribe to values of Respect, Equality, Courage, Integrity, Ambition and Kindness. Please visit the individual school website to find out more.


The Golden Thread Alliance is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020 and therefore is subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure. In line with KCSIE guidance, all candidates who are shortlisted will be subject to an online search. This search is not part of the shortlisting process itself and all shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to address any issues of concern resulting from the search.


Two references are also required prior to commencement of employment.


Early applications are encouraged and The Golden Thread Alliance reserves the right to close the vacancy if a suitable candidate is found.

West Hill Primary Academy

Lucy Wisdom

lucy.wisdom@golden-thread.org

West Hill Primary Academy
Dartford Road
Dartford
Kent
DA1 3DZ

Safeguarding Information

The Golden Thread Alliance is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020 and therefore is subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure. In line with KCSIE guidance, all candidates who are shortlisted will be subject to an online search. This search is not part of the shortlisting process itself, and all shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to address any issues of concern resulting from the search.


Two references are also required prior to commencement of employment.