St. Margaret Ward Catholic Academy

Part of St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Multi Academy Trust

NOR: 1143 (including 98 in Sixth Form)

Lay Chaplain

37 hours per week (term time, plus 2 weeks)

Required as soon as possible

"Anyone called to be a parent, pastor or guide to young people must have the farsightedness to appreciate the little flame that continues to burn, the fragile reed that is shaken but not broken (cf. Is 42:3). The ability to discern pathways where others only see walls, to recognise potential where others see only peril. Each young person’s heart should thus be considered “holy ground”, a bearer of seeds of divine life, before which we must “take off our shoes” in order to draw near and enter more deeply into the Mystery.” Christus Vivit 67

The Academy wishes to appoint a dynamic practising Catholic who will have an outstanding ability to support and develop the Academy’s liturgical and wider Catholic life. The role of the Lay Chaplain is an integral position and lies at the very heart of the school and its very special and distinctive Lasallian charism.

The successful candidate will be of an excellent quality and be able to place their faith at the forefront of everything they do, helping to guide and develop the spiritual life of the school and everyone within our community; where our young people enter to learn and leave to serve.

Lay Chaplain job description

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

In a Catholic school the search for excellence is expressed in learning and teaching, which responds to the needs and aspirations of its pupils and acknowledges their individual worth as children of God.

Please see the recruitment pack for further information.

The academy enjoys the active support of the newly formed St Gabriel the Archangel CMAT and the Archdiocese of Birmingham. As such, the successful candidate will enjoy access to a wide range of professional development.

The Academy are committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all of its employees to share this commitment. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Amendment Order 1986 and, as such, it will be necessary for a Submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous convictions. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online/social media check in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, September 2023.