THE URSULINE ACADEMY ILFORD 

A Catholic Secondary School for Girls Aged 11-19 in the Diocese of Brentwood 

MISSION STATEMENT: 

We are a Catholic community of faith, love and service rooted in the spirit of St Angela. Through Christ and the Gospel and in our diverse community we strive to provide an environment for young women to flourish spiritually, academically and socially. Together we are the Ursuline Academy Ilford. 

SCHOOL CHAPLAIN 

From: ASAP

5 days, 36 hours per week (Term Time only)

FTE Salary: £32, 380 (inc. Outer London Allowance) per annum

Actual Salary: £28, 349 (inc. Outer London Allowance) per annum

Governors are seeking to appoint a suitably experienced and qualified School Chaplain in our thriving Catholic school. This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to further their career in a school environment.

The Chaplain must be a practising Roman Catholic and should have relevant experience or qualification (e.g: Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies) that suits a chaplaincy role in the Catholic Church, with a mature and reassuring sense of self and vocation and a strong personal spirituality and emotional resilience. 

The Chaplain will be expected to serve both staff and students. Students expect the Chaplain to be approachable and compassionate, whilst at the same time professional. The Chaplain will be someone skilled and experienced in dealing with a wide range of people, maintaining the utmost discretion and always working within the school’s Code of Conduct. 

The Chaplain will need to be an efficient organiser, both internally with respect to assemblies, charity fundraising, student groups; and externally, liaising with the Cathedral, the Diocesan Youth Service, the wider community and other stakeholders. The range of activities and demands on their time will require the Chaplain to be capable of independent, proactive work, using well-developed skills of personal organisation and time management. 

The Ursuline Academy Ilford is a high-achieving Catholic school for girls (Years 7-13). We have a strong academic profile and have been designated as a “Good” school. Our Section 48 Inspection graded us as “Outstanding”. 

The Ursuline Academy Ilford is committed to the protection and safety of its students and the successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. 

HOW TO APPLY 

The Application Form is available to download HERE. Please submit a letter of application together with your application form, your letter should address the selection criteria and include your thoughts on what makes a good School Chaplain. 

Please return your completed application form via email to: applications@uai.org.uk 

Visits can be arranged by appointment please contact our HR Officer for details. 

To contact the school, please visit the website: https://www.uai.org.uk/

Short-listing for the position will take place following the closing date and references will be taken up prior to interview. The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. To ensure that this is achieved we expect all employees to share this commitment and staff will be recruited and selected in line with Safer Recruitment Policy and practice. The successful applicant will undertake an enhanced DBS check. 

Please note we are unable to accept CVs. 

Closing Date: Friday 29 September 2023

Interview Date: w/c Monday 2 October 2023

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JOB DESCRIPTION 

SCHOOL CHAPLAIN 

REPORTING TO: Head of Department 

LIAISING WITH: SLT, Teaching and Support Staff and others as required 

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 Headteacher in leading and developing the Catholic life of the school. 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. 

Core Responsibilities 

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 Headteacher in his/her role as faith leader in school;
• To play a central role in the pastoral system.
• 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 Headteacher 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 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

General 

• • Support Inclusion; 
• • Chaplaincy Team and Clubs; 
• • Work with the Head Girl Team