Address
SalaryNJC Scale 4 Points 7 to 11
£12.59 - £13.47 per hour
ACTUAL £11,805 - £12,630
21 hours per week (days and times to be negotiated)
Term time plus 5 PD days (to receive and deliver training)
Line managed by the Assistant Head responsible for whole school spirituality
JOB DESCRIPTION
This job description should be read alongside the National Standards document for School Chaplains. In this document, “Chaplain” refers to both ordained and lay Chaplains. The Chaplain, through his/her work and witness, will contribute to the spiritual and pastoral care of all members of the school community. He/she will have a central role in implementing the school vision statement and work with the Head Teacher in leading and developing the Christian (Catholic and Church of England) life of the school. The Chaplain will be prepared to undergo training in order to ensure that this can be done. He/she will nurture the faith formation and liturgical life of the school community. The Chaplain may also work to enhance the Religious Education curriculum where appropriate.
As a Catholic / Church of England school, the role of the Chaplain is central to and of high importance to our community. The Chaplain is to work in conjunction with the school leadership and the clergy to ensure that:
- the Sacramental life of the school is celebrated
- the Gospel values are realised throughout the school
- the school works in partnership with its feeder schools, parishes and the home
The school has worked hard over the past few years with its students, staff and various elements of the community to build a strong Christian school community. We already have established:
- Morning prayers
- Form Time prayers
- Student led Acts of Collective worship
- Opportunities to celebrate the Sacraments
- Student Retreats
- Staff prayer time & Retreat days
- Initial opportunities to work with our Feeder schools and parishes
- A Student Chaplaincy Team
- Spiritual Enrichment time and activities
- Student workshops on Justice & Peace and workshops on Catholic Social Teaching
The school now needs a Chaplain / Lay Chaplain to build on what we have already established, to help bring the Christian faith alive in the school for students and staff, strengthen our relationship with the feeder schools and parishes, deliver training to our staff to help them create a stronger and more prayerful Christian community for all and to monitor and evaluate the spiritual life of the school.
We can offer:
A happy school with a committed team and a strong Christian ethos;
- A warm and welcoming atmosphere;
- Enthusiastic, well-motivated and well behaved children;
- Excellent professional development opportunities
- Support & Line Management from the Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body
The successful candidate will:
- Be able to lead, plan and prepare the liturgical events for the whole school on the liturgical calendar.
- Offer opportunities of prayer for staff and students; develop the prayer worship and spiritual life of the students & staff and providing encouragement in the Christian faith to those who profess it
- Promote the Chapel as a sacred space
- Support students and staff, especially in times of trouble such as bereavement.
- Promote the Christian ethos of Holy Trinity Academy at every opportunity by, being visible and supportive around school, especially at break and lunchtimes.
- Prepare students for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Lent / Advent by working with the RE department.
- Play a role in the pastoral system by ensuring students and staff have a positive experience of prayer time
- Liaise with parents as appropriate
- Provide retreat opportunities for staff and students within school and at external locations;
- Be responsible for the running of retreats at Lockerbrook Farm in Derbyshire (or other locations).
- Develop thought provoking attractive displays in school to engage students, staff and visitors at key times during the church’s year.
- Be responsible for a small budget
- Attend Archdiocesan & Diocesan chaplaincy network meetings.
- To be a member of ACCE and use the opportunities the organisation offers for professional and spiritual development
- Plan, deliver and train the Student Chaplaincy Team for in house and outreach activities
- Co-ordinating clergy and visitors from both the local Catholic and Anglican parish communities to help deliver the spiritual life of the school
- Monitor, record and deliver the Chaplaincy programme.
- Contribute to the school development plan
CATHOLIC EDUCATION CORE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR A CHAPLAIN
The Chaplain as witness
- Help people to recognise God’s love for them and their need of God
- Inspire through example
- To encourage staff and pupils to live the faith by being involved in projects relating to social justice and global citizenship
The Chaplain as pastor
- Be visible and approachable around the school
- Accompany people at particular stages of their journey through life
- Get to know people individually and use every opportunity for contact to the best advantage
- Support the Head Teacher in his/her role as faith leader in school
- To play a central role in the pastoral system
The Chaplain as leader
- Support and further develop the spiritual, religious and liturgical life of the school.
- Use a collaborative style of ministry that encourages a team approach to chaplaincy to develop and lead a chaplaincy team.
- To offer opportunities of prayer for staff and students.
- If a priest, celebrate Mass and the sacraments regularly in school; if not, plan for the same to occur with local clergy
- Develop suitable activities to mark and celebrate the major feasts and seasons of the Church
- To support staff and pupils in their planning, preparation and leading of liturgies and collective worship
- Help with the provision of suitable resources for the prayer life and worship of the school
- Ensure the school environment and displays reflect the school’s Catholic Christian identity.
- Promote and care for the Prayer Room/Chapel as a sacred space
- Develop a school retreat programme for pupils
- Support students to participate in the sacramental life of the Church, where appropriate.
- To celebrate and share the faith life of the school with the wider community
- To include the local parishes in school celebrations, where appropriate
- Help with sensitive issues, advising on the Church’s teaching
The Chaplain as educator
- To support and enhance the RE curriculum, where appropriate
The Chaplain as professional
- Have input into the school development plan, its operation and review
- Advise the Senior Leadership Team, where appropriate
- Challenge and support on standards, morals and the values of the Christian life
- To meet regularly with the line manager
- To engage in a regular process of appraisal
- To report to and work with Governors/Directors to promote the Catholic ethos and distinctive nature of the school.
- Attend where possible staff meetings and any other meetings as appropriate
- To engage with Continual Professional Development (CPD) relevant to the role of chaplain.
- To avail of opportunities for enhancing his/her own spiritual well-being
- To lead school based CPD for staff in relation to the Catholic life of the school.
- To be a member of ACCE and use the opportunities the organisation offers for professional and spiritual development.
- To be a member of the Diocesan Chaplaincy Group or its equivalent, attending meetings regularly
- To liaise with Diocesan agencies, groups and individuals, where appropriate
Holy Trinity Academy is committed to the safeguarding and protection of children and young people. The appointment will be subject to enhanced DBS (CRB) clearance for the successful applicant and is therefore exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
The post holder will be involved in Regulated Activity. We are committed to equality and diversity.
This post is a designated customer facing role under the fluency duty and requires the applicant to be fluent in English.
A copy of our Child Protection Policy is available upon request and can be found on the school website https://holytrinity.academy/ourschool/school-policies/
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Friday 3rd May 2024 – 12 Noon
ALL APPLICATIONS TO BE EMAILED TO: john.griffiths2@holytrinity.academy
Attached documents
Application form notes
Application form
Job Description
Person Specification
Consent to obtain references
