School Chaplain

The School Chaplain

After more than 30 years’ service to the King’s School community, our School Chaplain, Canon John Webster, retires from this key noteworthy School role at the end of August 2022. The role of Chaplain is central to School life and is a highly respected role which Mr Webster has developed significantly through his exemplary commitment, service and leadership.

The School

The King’s School, Gloucester has a rich academic tradition dating back to its founding in 1541. It houses the longest serving classroom in Europe and is held in high esteem amongst the local and wider community, winning Gloucestershire Independent School of the Year in 2020. The School strives for excellence in all areas: the academic results are strong with the pupil value-added score being equivalent to half a grade at GCSE; there is a wide-ranging sport provision and pupils reach national levels every year; in Music, our links with Gloucester Cathedral provide an ideal location for high quality orchestral and choral music; finally, the creative arts enjoy much success with DT and Art having their own dynamic and well-facilitated design space.

The Candidate

The Headmaster wishes to appoint a School Chaplain for September 2022 who will work closely with the pupils, staff, parents, governors and alumni of the Senior School (SS), Junior School (JS), as well as Gloucester Cathedral and the wider community. 

The person appointed may be an ordained Anglican priest, reader or a lay person. The successful candidate is likely to be a member of the teaching staff in the Senior School offering a subject on a mutually agreed timetable. The weekly timetable will take account of pastoral work in the School as well as the Chaplain’s wider role. Although experience and qualifications are desired, the intention is to appoint the right person who will form a central part of the King’s community, bearing this in mind we will consider all applications for this appointment even if not all requirements are met.

Organising and leading worship in a Cathedral brings specific responsibilities to both School necessities and Cathedral standards. The Chaplain is very much part of the liturgical team and will worship in the Cathedral in both their School capacity and a personal way. Due to the dual nature of this role, the Headmaster will be in close consultation with the Very Revd Stephen Lake, Dean of Gloucester and Vice-Chair of Governors at King’s when making this appointment. The Dean bears the responsibility for all worship in the Cathedral so a close working relationship between the Chaplain and the Cathedral team can be a blessing to all. Being spiritually in tune with Cathedral worship will be desirable and Dean Stephen is available for an informal conversation if required.

The role of Chaplain may be at times demanding but it is hugely rewarding as well as being of great importance to the well-being of the School.  There are active prayer groups supporting the work of the Chaplain and the School; the parents’ prayer group, a staff prayer group and the Christian Union. The Chaplain is there to support everyone in the School community, whatever their faith, or no faith.

Overview of Key Tasks

These can be summarised as follows, grouped in terms of the specific responsibilities of the post. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, and the Chaplain will be expected to take on other appropriate tasks as they arise and indeed to introduce, by agreement, any new initiatives thought to be helpful to the School.

Chapel

Organising the content and ensuring the delivery of a thriving annual calendar of events which currently includes: 

• The annual cycle of daily JS and SS assemblies in the Cathedral. These are currently known as ‘Chapel’ and take place four times per week before School. A typical Chapel will include a theme, hymn, reading, address and prayer. Visiting speakers are welcomed and musical items are usually performed at whole School Chapel weekly

• The New Pupils’ Service in September, the Leavers’ Service in July and occasional Services to mark special events

• The JS and SS Carol Services

• The SS Advent and Lent Eucharist Services and Ascension Day Service

• JS Harvest and Candlemas Services

• The Remembrance Service

• The special Services which mark the start and end of each term and the academic year

• The ‘Beating the Bounds’ heritage prayer walk

• Staff and Former Staff Evensongs

Chaplaincy Team

• Leading the work of the Chaplaincy team to ensure that the School’s Christian ethos and values are lived out in our daily routines

• Hosting meetings of the School-Cathedral staff annually

• Leading termly Chaplaincy team meetings

• Supporting the Assistant Chaplain, Chapel Steward and other associated staff as required

• Liaising with other staff such as the Music department, Facilities’ Manager, Events’ Manager, administrative staff and Head’s PA in order to ensure that all necessary arrangements are made successfully and in good time

• Supporting and promoting the Staff and Parent Prayer Groups

• Offering counselling and support to the teaching and non-teaching staff when required

• Advising and supporting SMT and the Headmaster on issues concerning the staff body as a whole

• Promoting and celebrating events and achievements via social media, the Yearbook and website.

Gloucester Cathedral

• To lead the School’s pivotal relationship with the Cathedral community, ensuring clear, mutually supportive communication and actions at all times

• Attending Services such as Eucharists and Evensong on a regular basis

• Working closely with the Cathedral Events team and Vergers to ensure smooth delivery of all events in the Cathedral

• Liaising carefully with the Cathedral clergy to discuss the content of the main Services at which they speak, or which they attend

• Being a first point of contact for matters concerning the Boy and Girl Choristers. This requires an approachable, supportive stance towards members of the Cathedral Music department, as well as chorister parents and the choristers themselves

• When required, supporting the activities of the choristers outside of their normal routine, including sometimes attending Choir School Association events, chorister tours, Three Choirs Festival etc

• Leading the School’s support for those Cathedral partnerships which are of mutual interest, encouraging pupil, staff and parent participation

Applications 

Applications are to be made using the School’s application form, available from the School website.  Any queries regarding the application process should be directed to the Deputy Head (Staff) Mr John Collins at j.collins@thekingsschool.co.uk  

Candidates should apply by completing the application form and a letter of application.  A CV is not required. Applications should be addressed to:  

The Headmaster, The King’s School, Pitt Street, Gloucester, GL1 2BG.   

Closing date is 9th November at 12 noon, with interviews taking place on 16th and 17th November.  

E-mail: recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk Website: www.thekingsschool.co.uk