Chaplain

The Department

This is a highly successful department, made up of three teachers and a Waynflete Academic, and a good number of pupils choose the subject for IGCSE and A Level. We encourage our pupils to develop an informed spiritual and ethical position in today’s rapidly changing world and, rather than focusing on a narrow specialism, we cover a variety of world religions and theological, philosophical and ethical themes. Academic standards are high and results were as follows for 2023. In IGCSE: 65% grade 9, 95% grade 9-8, and 100% grade 9-7. At A Level 50% of grades were A* and 100% were A*-A. A number of our pupils every year go on to read Theology at leading universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. Lessons are exciting and challenging, with an extensive extra-curricular programme and a sense of intellectual rigour communicated by all teachers to our bright and inquisitive pupils.

Please see the Information Pack for more information.

The Role

The school is seeking to appoint a full-time Chaplain from 1st September 2024 to oversee, and where necessary, review and develop all matters concerning the spiritual provision of pupils throughout the school, irrespective of faith. This spiritual provision is central to the identity of the school, and the successful candidate will enjoy outstanding opportunities for the exercise and development of his/her religious and teaching ministries. The successful candidate will lead worship at the school, be available for spiritual/pastoral support to the school community and teach a roughly 75% timetable of Theology (Religious Studies), or another subject, to bright and enthusiastic pupils from Year 7 to A Level and Oxbridge preparation. The role would be suitable for a fully ordained Anglican priest who may be an experienced teacher or may be looking to move their career into schools as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) or without a teaching qualification, who might be interested in pursuing the School’s Waynflete Teaching Certificate, which can lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

The Candidate

The successful candidate will:

• be a fully ordained Anglican priest;
• be a well-qualified graduate of Theology or another subject;
• show a demonstrable commitment to the Christian faith and the ability to utilise this in their work with the school;
• be a good listener and counsellor who displays an empathetic approach at all times;
• be a strong diplomat with the ability to foster strong relations with the wider community;
• be a well organised self-starter who can shape and deliver a complex set of activities with minimal supervision;
• organise and deliver school chapel services;
• be accessible to pupils (and staff) in need of spiritual and/or pastoral guidance;
• curate the liturgy for school services at other churches;
• show clear enthusiasm for their academic subject;
• teach in an engaging manner in a highly successful Theology department (or another department) across year groups from Year 7 to A Level and Oxbridge preparation;
• support the progress of all pupils studying Theology (or another subject) by taking a role in departmental support, enrichment and partnerships sessions;
• set clear expectations for pupil behaviour within an encouraging classroom environment;
• take a keen interest in the welfare of pupils and act as the pastoral tutor to a houseroom;
• show clear commitment to safeguarding children;
• be willing to contribute fully to other areas of school life, such as games, music, drama, CCF or other activities;
• have excellent written and spoken communication skills;

Please see the Information Pack for more information.

The Chaplain will report to the Usher, and ultimately to the Master.

Application Process

Candidates should submit the following two documents to the HR Administrator, Miss Yelena Molcanova (recruitment@mcsoxford.org), which can be found on the Job Vacancy link of the website (www.mcsoxford.org). To access Click here.

1. “MCS Application Form for Teaching and Support Staff” Form
2. CV (Curriculum Vitae)

All documentation should be sent no later than Monday 15th April, at midday; early applications are highly encouraged. Any applicants who submit just a CV will be automatically rejected. The school’s preferred method of communication is by email and it will not be necessary to send a hard copy of the documents by post.

References may be taken up in advance. If you do not wish references to be called for at this stage, please make that clear on the reference section of the application form.

We anticipate holding interviews on from Friday 19th April, which will include an observed lesson. We reserve the right to interview and appoint before the above dates. We will be in contact with shortlisted candidates by telephone. Please be aware that all shortlisted candidates will be requested to complete a “Self-Disclosure” form before attending their interview.

Safeguarding Policy

Magdalen College School is committed to the safeguarding of pupils, and any offer of employment will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure, the receipt of satisfactory references, the school’s pre-employment medical questionnaire, plus sight of relevant original ID documentation and degree certificate(s). This role will be in regulated activity and will require a children’s barred list check as well as an enhanced DBS check. The enhanced DBS check is due to this role being exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Remuneration and other benefits

MCS currently has its own salary scale, and salaries are more generous than those in the maintained sector; there is also a relocation allowance on a sliding scale, by agreement with the Master and Bursar, and dependent on current location. The school also operates a cycle to work scheme, and travel loans are available. MCS is currently an accepted school for the purposes of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS). The school also offers teachers an alternative defined contribution pension scheme with an employer contribution of 22%. The school is in the process of consulting staff on a proposal to make changes to the school’s pension provision for teachers as of September 2024. In the event that the consultation results in a decision to withdraw the school from the TPS, the school would exercise its discretion under clause 9 of the contract to change the scheme available to the appointed candidate, and they would not be entitled to membership of the TPS as of September 2024. The Master will discuss the pension situation with any offer of appointment.

School fee remission is available for permanent staff sons and Sixth Form daughters who pass the entrance tests for the school, and is currently 50% pro rata subject to a minimum FTE of 50%. In addition, 20% fee remission pro rata is available for MCS staff who have daughters attending Headington Rye, subject to a minimum of 50% FTE.

There is a wide range of benefits on offer to staff, including a free lunch during term time, free private health insurance and complimentary use of school sports facilities. Head to mcsoxford.org/vacancies to find out more.