Catering Manager - Orchard Manor School (Special Partnership Trust)

• Teignbridge, Devon
• Full Time
• £32,203 FTE (£28,071 actual salary per annum)

Start Date: December 2026 / January 2027

Welcome to Orchard Manor School

Orchard Manor School is a vibrant, values-driven specialist community where every child is known, respected and supported to belong. Rooted in strong relationships and a deep commitment to respect, kindness and wellbeing, our school is a place where pupils and staff thrive together. We pride ourselves on our collaborative, reflective culture, where learning is meaningful, personalised and ambitious, and where staff are well supported to continually develop their expertise. Set within beautiful woodland grounds in the seaside town of Dawlish, Orchard Manor offers a unique environment where education extends beyond the classroom, preparing young people for confident, independent lives within their communities

Why Join Orchard Manor School?

• A supportive, collaborative and highly skilled staff team
• A strong focus on staff wellbeing and professional development
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the daily lives of children and young people
• A values-driven culture where kindness, inclusion and teamwork are prioritised
• Opportunities to lead and develop an important service within the school
• Access to Trust-wide professional learning and development opportunities
• The opportunity to be part of the largest SEND Trust in Cornwall and Devon

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and proactive Catering Manager to lead our catering provision and play a key role in the daily life of our school.

This is a rewarding opportunity to oversee all aspects of our catering service, ensuring that pupils and staff can enjoy nutritious, high-quality meals in a safe and welcoming environment. You will lead a dedicated catering team, develop creative and engaging menus, manage resources effectively and maintain the highest standards of food safety and customer service.

At Orchard Manor School, food plays an important role in supporting pupils' wellbeing, independence and life experiences. We are seeking someone who understands the importance of providing positive food experiences and who is passionate about delivering an outstanding service that meets the diverse needs of our pupils.

About the Role

• As Catering Manager, you will lead the day-to-day operation of the school's catering facilities, ensuring meals are prepared, cooked and served to a consistently high standard. You will manage catering staff across both school kitchens, coordinating workloads, supporting professional development and fostering a positive and collaborative team culture
• You will take responsibility for menu planning, food ordering, stock control and budget management, ensuring an efficient and cost-effective service while maintaining excellent quality and value. You will also develop varied and nutritionally balanced menus that respond to the sensory preferences, dietary needs and individual requirements of pupils with autism and other SEND needs.
• Working closely with school staff and families, you will support pupils with specialist dietary requirements and help promote healthy eating through engaging activities, themed events and seasonal menu initiatives.
• Food safety will be central to your role. As the designated lead for food safety, you will oversee HACCP procedures, maintain accurate records, undertake audits and inspections, prepare for Environmental Health visits and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and regulations.
• You will also build positive relationships with suppliers and contractors, support catering functions and events, monitor service performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement across the catering provision.

About You

We are looking for someone who is organised, approachable and passionate about delivering an excellent catering service. You will have experience of catering management, strong people-management skills and the ability to lead a team positively and effectively.

You will be confident planning menus, managing food budgets and maintaining accurate records, while ensuring the highest standards of food safety, hygiene and customer service. You will be able to balance operational demands with a strategic approach to service improvement and development.

You will understand the importance of meeting a wide range of dietary needs and will be committed to creating positive food experiences for children and young people with SEND. Experience of working within a school or educational setting would be welcomed, although not essential.

Most importantly, you will share our commitment to ensuring that every pupil has access to nutritious meals, positive experiences and an environment where they can thrive.

What You'll Bring

• A minimum of three years' catering experience
• Previous experience of supervising or managing staff
• An NVQ Level 3 qualification in catering or a related field, or equivalent
• A Basic Food Hygiene and Food Safety qualification
• Knowledge of food hygiene procedures and allergens
• Strong communication, team leadership and organisational skills
• A positive, flexible and solution-focused approach
• The ability to work effectively with children and young people
• A commitment to equality, inclusion and safeguarding

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A copy of our safeguarding policy can be found here: Safeguarding Policy Webpage. This role falls under KCSIE regulated activities and as such it is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relating to children.

Find Out More / Visit Us

We warmly encourage informal visits so you can experience our school community and values in action. If you would like to get a feel of our school do have a look at our social media pages too - we are on Facebook, Instagram and X. Our website is

• Email:
• Telephone:

How to apply

Please complete your application on My New Term mynewterm.com. Applicants are advised that submitting an incorrect or insufficiently completed application form will result in non-selection for interview.

Particular attention should be made to career history since secondary education and referees meeting the required criteria.

Closing Date: Thursday 29th October 2026.

Interview Date: To be confirmed.

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