School Chaplain

We are looking to recruit a first-class Chaplain for January 2023 or before, who is a committed Christian. The successful candidate will be highly organised and have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The Chaplain has overall responsibility, under the Headmaster for the spiritual wellbeing and development of the whole School community. Qualified teachers are welcome to apply. A reduced teaching timetable could be included in the role.

The Chapel is within the ecclesiastical parish of St Bartholomew, Edgbaston and occasional offices are recorded in the register of the Parish Church. The incumbent of the Parish is and ex officio governor of the school. The previous Chaplain was a lay person who was licensed by the Bishop of Birmingham. An ordained person would also be expected to seek permission to officiate from the Bishop.

The successful applicant will be expected to lead the Chaplaincy work at the school and to promote and safeguard the welfare of all children for whom the post holder has responsibility and with whom the post holder comes into contact. The Post Holder will report directly to the Headmaster.

Core Purpose of Post

• To promote and safeguard the welfare of all children and young persons for whom the post holder has responsibility and with whom the post holder comes into contact.

• To maintain and develop the spiritual ethos of The Blue Coat School as a school founded by the Church of England through the provision of appropriate acts of worship and reflection which embody the Christian theology and which cater for children either with or without a specific faith.

Qualifications/Professional Development

• Graduate of a recognised British University or international equivalent. 

• Commitment to develop as a reflective practitioner. Evidence of recent involvement in relevant professional development would be desirable.

• Counselling skills or a counselling qualification would be desirable.

CHRISTIAN ETHOS

At the heart of the Blue Coat Chaplaincy is the desire to follow the vision of our founder the Reverend William Higgs in guiding and training our children in Christian values and virtues whilst equipping them with an excellent education. Chaplain ensures that our Christian ethos and Chapel worship are central to the life of The Blue Coat School.

THE CHAPLAINCY

The Blue Coat School is rather unique in that whilst it is no longer a boarding school, the School does have its own Chaplain and Chaplaincy. Chaplain is a much loved and pivotal figure in school life.

Snuggled amongst the classrooms you will find The Lighthouse, a warm, calm safe place where Chaplain can be found. Pupils (and staff) are welcome to drop in at any time to chat about the good the bad and the ugly in life! At The Blue Coat School, pastoral care is achieved through team work. The Chaplaincy plays its own unique role in supporting children, staff and parents.

CHAPEL

Chapel services are filled with pupil participation through class assemblies, chapel choir, school musicians and the duties of chapel monitors. We welcome visiting speakers from local churches and a variety of national and international charities to speak during our weekly Friday morning services which are also attended by parents, family and friends.

There is also time for quiet reflection, such as at Family Prayer times, Remembrance Service, the candlelit Carol Service, or on more formal occasions such as the Founders’ Day Service at Birmingham Cathedral.

GROW IN GRACE

The children explore the Christian faith through all of the above and they also learn more about The Blue Coat School Values. They are encouraged to think about others before themselves and seek to live by these Values through supporting a range of charities including the Leprosy Mission, Operation Christmas Child, the Salvation Army and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Whilst the School is of Church of England foundation, it welcomes families of all faiths and none. Everyone is expected to attend and participate in chapel life. Parents of all faiths value the traditional chapel services which endeavour to inspire the children to adopt our school motto “Grow in Grace” as a foundation stone for their lives.