Lay Chaplain
St Mary's Catholic High School
Derbyshire
- Expired
- Salary:
- Grade 9 SCP 19 – 23 £32,061 - £34,434 FTE, actual pro rata salary £25,342 - £27,217 per annum
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- 7 September 2026
- Apply by:
- 17 July 2026
Job overview
We are an over-subscribed 11-18 mixed Academy with excellent pupil behaviour and outcomes. Our most recent OFSTED inspection (June 2024) found the school to be Outstanding in all categories, as did our Section 48 Inspection in 2025, and more recently the Sunday Times Schools Guide 2026 named St Mary’s as the Comprehensive School of the Year East Midlands.
St Mary’s Catholic High School are seeking to appoint a committed and inspirational Lay Chaplain to play a central role in promoting and developing the Catholic life and mission of our school community. This is a vital role at the heart of the school, supporting the spiritual, moral, and pastoral development of our students and staff.
The Lay Chaplain will lead and support opportunities for prayer, liturgy, faith formation and charitable outreach.
Working Pattern: This is a term-time only position (39 weeks per year, including INSET days), commencing on 7 September 2026. The post is for 34.5 hours per week, worked Monday to Thursday, 8.15 am to 3.45 pm, and Friday, 8.00 am to 3.00 pm, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break each day.
The successful candidate will:
Be a person of faith and prayer with a deep commitment to the Catholic Church; a practising Catholic.
Be prepared to adopt and support the core values and ethos of St Mary’s Catholic High School in order to support our pupils and other staff colleagues.
Have experience of planning and delivering prayer, liturgy, retreats, or faith-based activities.
Have experience of working with young people (11-18), ideally within an educational, parish, or youth ministry setting.
Enable pupils to engage in meaningful acts of service and deepen their understanding of Catholic Social Teaching.
Be trustworthy and honest; maintaining absolute confidentiality and integrity.
Be a team player with excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.
Previous experience within a similar role would be desirable; however, it is not essential.
Potential candidates would be very welcome to visit or have an informal telephone discussion with the Assistant Headteacher (Catholic Life & Mission) before applying. If you would like to do so or would like any further information, please contact the Headteacher’s PA, Mrs Rachel Gilding.
We are particularly keen to reflect the diverse nature of our student community in our staff; we welcome applications from all qualified applicants and strongly believe that diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact to our whole school community.
TO APPLY YOU MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN THE SCHOOL’S APPLICATION FORM. CVS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
The job description, person specification and application documents may be downloaded from the school’s website, or alternatively, please contact Mrs R Gilding, Headteacher’s PA, on 01246 201191 (ext 2011) or email rgilding@stmaryschesterfield.org.uk
Closing date: 10.00 am Friday 17 July 2026.
Interviews: Wednesday 22 July 2026.
Please note that applications will be considered as they are received, and we therefore urge candidates to apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the specified closing date.
St Mary's Catholic High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and as such expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
About St Mary's Catholic High School
- St Mary's Catholic High School
- Newbold Road, Upper Newbold, Chesterfield
- Derbyshire
- S41 8AG
- United Kingdom
St Mary’s Catholic High School is a mixed secondary academy in North Derbyshire. The school converted to a Catholic voluntary-aided academy in the summer of 2012. St Mary’s is located north of Chesterfield, with places for 1,300 students aged 11-18, of which 285 are in the sixth form. The school primarily serves North East Derbyshire, but some students travel from as far afield as Sheffield.
St Mary’s Catholic High School is supported by the Catholic dioceses of Hallam and Nottingham, with additional governors appointed to represent parents, staff and the local authority.
Headteacher
Maria Dengate
Values and vision
St Mary’s Catholic High School is committed to providing a variety of opportunities to students at all stages of their development. Extra-curricular activities are considered to be equally as important as examinations, and the school celebrates both academic and non-academic achievement. Students are encouraged to contribute regardless of where their talents lie, and the school aims to foster all abilities.
St Mary’s states that, despite being a faith school, it is open to all communities in North Derbyshire, and that the social diversity found within the student body is testament to the school’s inclusivity.
Ofsted report
“There is exemplary behaviour around the school. Students are unfailingly courteous and polite to adults, and each other. Students say that bullying is not a concern and it is very rare for any disruption to occur in lessons. Students are kept very safe in the school and it is clear from their attitudes to school and their attendance that students are extremely proud to be a part of the community of St Mary’s Catholic High School.”
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