School Lay Chaplain

St Bernard's High School; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

St Bernard's High School invites applications for a School Chaplain to lead and support Catholic life and collective worship within the school community. The role requires independence, strong time management, and organisational skills, with experience in education or youth ministry being advantageous.

The Chaplain must be a practising Roman Catholic and should hold relevant qualifications, such as a Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies.

Qualifications

• Must be a practising Roman Catholic.
• Should have relevant experience or qualification, e.g. Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies.

Responsibilities

• Engage with a diverse school community with compassion, discretion, and professionalism.
• Offer a listening ear, emotional support, and spiritual guidance to students, staff, and families.
• Lead and support the spiritual and liturgical life of the school by coordinating Masses, liturgies, and prayers.
• Maintain and care for the school chapel, ensuring it remains a welcoming space for prayer and worship.
• Plan, co-ordinate, and lead retreats that support students’ spiritual growth.
• Foster links between the school and local parish priests, the diocese, and families.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Listening

Pastoral care

Education

Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies

Job description

We are looking toappoint a School Chaplain to lead and support the Catholic life and collectiveworship of our school community. Youwill need to be proactive and be able to work independently, with excellenttime management and organisational skills.Experience in education or youth ministry would be an advantage.

The Chaplain must bea practising Roman Catholic and should have relevant experience orqualification (e.g.Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies).

Key responsibilities:

• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills when engaging with adiverse range of people, showing compassion, approachability, and discretion atall times.
• Offer a listening ear, emotional support, and spiritual guidanceto students, staff, and families during challenging and significant moments.
• Lead and support the spiritual and liturgical life of the schoolby coordinating whole-school Masses, form Masses, liturgies, and prayerservices.
• Maintain and care for the school chapel, ensuring it remains awelcoming and reflective space for prayer and worship.
• Plan, co-ordinate, and lead retreats that support students’spiritual growth, personal development, and reflection.
• Foster strong links between the school and the wider community,including local parish priests, the diocese, and families.