April 2018

Dear

Thank you for requesting details of the post of Chaplain at WadhamSchool.

Please find the following enclosed with this letter:

  • A Person Specification
  • A Job Description
  • Details of the application and selection process
  • An application form
  • The Chaplaincy Project leaflet

Further information is available on our website at

Wadham is a mixed Church of England Comprehensive School serving students aged 13 – 18. Our youngsters are drawn from Crewkerne, Ilminster and the surrounding villages and most join us from Middle Schools in the two market towns of Crewkerne and Ilminster.

At Wadham we are committed to ensuring that all the young people who come to the school receive an education appropriate to their needs; to working with young people so that they develop independence as they become young adults. We believe in listening to what they have to say about their experience of school. We believe in providing challenge in the classroom and beyond so that students achieve their best and we believe in achieving the best possible learning environment.

A group drawn from the school and our local community of churches has been

Active in supporting the work of a Chaplain in promoting the Christian ethos of the school. This work has been led by one of our governors, Rev Jonathan Morris, Vicar of Haselbury Plucknett, one of the villages served by the school.

This is a school where staff are mutually supportive, dedicated to the academic and pastoral welfare of the students and determined to ensure the school continues to improve to become the best it can be.

If you are interested in helping us meet the challenges ahead and being part of this exciting time for WadhamSchool, we look forward to receiving your application for the post.

Yours sincerely

David DerbyshireJonathan Morris

HeadteacherChair, The Chaplaincy Project Group

Application and selection schedule

If having reviewed the information you want to apply for the post please complete the application form and write a letter of not more than 2 sides (font size 11 or above) to include the following:

In what ways do you meet the person specification and how has your experience to date prepared you to meet the requirements of the job description

And on a separate piece of paper in not more than 300 words please say something about your journey in the Christian faith.

Please supply the names and contact details of two referees, one of whom should be your current parish priest or minister.

If you would like to clarify anything relating to the post before submitting an application please contact the Headteacher’s PA, Mrs Tina Saunders on 01460 270123 or by email at

Deadline for applications to arrive at the school : Monday 30 April 2018

WadhamSchool

Chaplain

Job Description

Job Title: Chaplain

Salary: Grade 12 Point 22 (Actual salary £10,692.17)

Part-time 22 hours per week, term time + 3 weeks – initially for

3 years

Responsible to: Headteacher

Main Purpose of Post: Support the school community in furthering the distinctive

Christian character of its status and in the provision of pastoral

care

Principal duties and responsibilities:

(These are in no order of priority)

Worship:

  • To support the planning and delivery of collective worship
  • To explore and develop with colleagues opportunities for worship additional to the corporate acts for all students including Communion
  • To develop opportunities for students to understand worship and be able to participate when they wish.

Supporting the needs of the School Community

  • To be available to all of school community – students, staff, parents, governors and beyond in a pastoral capacity.
  • To act as a mediator as part of the support for the resolution of conflict and in situations where communication has become difficult.
  • To support the development of restorative justice as a means of promoting forgiveness and redemption.
  • To develop an accessible timetable during the school week for pastoral support, but to also be available in times of crisis.
  • To develop and support faith based extra-curricular activities during lunchtime and after-school appropriate to the needs of the students
  • To support out of school activities such as school trips andresidentials
  • To provide relevant input to subject teams and lessons in relation to role

Christian Ethos and Communication

  • To support the further development of the distinctive Christian character of the school
  • To help raise the profile of the school’s Christian foundation through the use of Christian symbols, installations and appropriate imagery around the school
  • To develop a Sanctuary space / base as a unique space on the school site for Christian reflection, worship and pastoral care
  • To attend key learning and access and inclusion meetings in support of the role
  • To strengthen communication with faith communities across the school’s partnership area of Ilminster and Crewkerne
  • To be part of the school’s transitional programme with partner schools
  • To relate to the wider Chaplaincy Advisory Group

Continuing Professional Development

  • To meet with headteacher and other senior leaders for issues relating to work.
  • To meet when appropriate with a spiritual director (of the worker’s choice in paid time)
  • To take up opportunities for professional development in relation to role and understanding the school context
  • To link with the existing Diocesan Education Department network and training provision for paid workers

WadhamSchool

Chaplain

Person Specification

ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

Education and
Qualifications / A relevant qualification in youth work or in teaching
or the aptitude to deliver the post with relevant transferable skills and experience whilst working towards a qualification
Experience / Experience of Christian youth ministry in a paid or voluntary capacity
Experience of working in or alongside a middle / secondary school environment and able to show sensitivity to school systems and processes / Experience of setting up and running activities for young people
Experience of mentoring young people
Skills and Abilities / Ability to support/lead/resource collective worship and classroom worship
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Effective interpersonal and listening skills
Pastorally sensitive to both staff and students needs
Awareness of issues relating to young people
Ability to communicate and connect across the school community
Proven capacity to professionally interact in a diverse range of contexts

The ability to build and maintain good working / professional relationships

Able to develop mutual trust and respect with staff and students

Be able to work as part of a team whilst able to show and implement initiative
Be able to nurture others in living out the Christian life / Have an understanding of Safeguarding (especially in a school context)
A good level of knowledge of the variety of expression of Christian faith, prayer and worship
Self starter who is, creative, motivated and can work on their own initiative
Ability to motivate both the students and staff especially in areas relating to faith
Motivation / Strong in the Christian faith yet eager to keep growing
Open to the possibilities of working in partnership with others (ecumenical and secular)
Able to be a good Christian role model to students
To have an approachable, friendly nature and to be non-judgmental / Sensitive, caring, patient and resilient nature
A sense of humour
Be open to the ideas and thought of others and able to ask for help when required