School Chaplain

Birkenhead School, founded in 1860, is an HMC independent day school of Charitable purpose and Christian principle, providing education for boys and girls drawn from the whole of the Wirral, Liverpool and as far afield as Chester and North Wales. Situated in the leafy suburb of Oxton, the School enjoys excellent facilities. The main campus has a ‘village green’ atmosphere, with classrooms looking out over the cricket square. 

The School comprises Nursery and Pre-Prep (Early Years), Prep and Seniors and integrates their objectives and activities within a ‘One School’ concept. Birkenhead School prides itself on being a family school and this has been greatly strengthened by the opening of the Nursery in 2006. It is attractive to parents to have all their children in one school and it is a great advantage for the School to be able to establish strong, long-lasting relationships with families. A key feature of the School is its strength of community, which runs through the student, staff and parental bodies. The School is embedded within the wider Wirral community and has strong links with local business and charities.

The Chaplaincy

The School’s dedicated Chapel sits prominently within the School site. It is a beautiful building, which provides a place of peace and reflection for staff and students of all ages. The Chapel is often the first building that Old Birkonians returning to the School site request to visit – an indication of the importance the building and the School’s faith and values hold for the community.

The School’s Chaplain oversees the spiritual provision for children and students throughout the School, irrespective of faith. This spiritual provision is central to the identity of the School, and therefore the Chaplain is expected to be at the very heart of the School community, playing a key role in the life of the school.

The main focus is to provide a Christian presence within the School, providing the lens through which real world issues can be examined. The School places considerable importance on the community, sharing core values including integrity and respect for the opinions and faith of each individual. 

There is considerable flexibility around the role which could involve all, or some, of the below, and up to 16 hours a week – what is more important for the School is to appoint a candidate who shares the School’s values and the importance of community, rather than the ability to cover all areas of the below: 

Weekdays

• Organisation and delivery of weekly Chapel Services for:

o Seniors (Year 7 – Upper Sixth)

o  Prep (Year 3 – 6)

o  Little School (Reception, Years 1 and 2)

• For the right candidate, there may be the opportunity to teach some lessons within a curriculum subject, or provide some ‘cover’ lessons

 Sunday Evensong (during Term time) and Chapel ‘Admin’

• Organisation and delivery of the weekly Sunday Evensong service (6.30pm), including inviting visiting preachers to participate and identifying readings accordingly to weekly lectionary, leading intercessions and occasional preaching
• Ensuring Chapel supplies such as hymn books, bibles, wine, wafers and candles are ordered as necessary
• Ensuring Chapel linens are changed according to the liturgical season
• Ensuring the accurate record keeping of services held in Chapel

Special Events

• Planning and organising Confirmation services and the preparation of candidates 
• Acting as the point of contact for requests for use of Chapel, and officiating at weddings, funerals and baptisms (a small number every year)
• Planning and leading the start of the academic year and three end of term services at St Saviours Church, Oxton – including the booking of the Church
• Planning and leading special services in Chapel throughout the School year e.g. Advent Carols, Nine Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve Eucharist, Ash Wednesday Eucharist and the Leavers’ Service

Pastoral

The role holds no formal pastoral responsibility but it is hoped that the successful candidate will have a natural inclination to support staff and students, especially in matters such as bereavement.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Been ordained – but this is not essential
• Experience of organising Assemblies/Liturgies
• Experience of working within an educational and diocesan context
• Experience of working with young people
• Be positive, enthusiastic, confident and diligent
• The ability to:

o  Empathise with students of all ages within a School situation

o  Develop and maintain good relationships with students and colleagues

o  Recognise the confidential nature of some work undertaken and work to School policies

• A sound understanding and awareness of Safeguarding procedures
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills
• A high level of literacy and communication skills
• The ability to meet deadlines

The full list of roles and responsibilities can be found on the School website under Employment Opportunities.

Hours 

This is a part-time, mainly term time role, anticipated to be up to 16 hours a week (working 36 weeks per year), depending on the tasks agreed above. This flexibility can be discussed with the Headmaster at interview. The post holder will be required to work as necessary to carry out the duties of the role. You will be entitled to 35 days’ leave per year (pro rata) including Bank Holidays and Christmas Shutdown, to be taken during School Holidays. 

For the right candidate, there may be some flexibility around these hours, which can be discussed with the Headmaster at interview.

We will value and support your contribution to School life and in return provide you with excellent rewards: 

• Working with fantastic young students
• Working as part of a committed team
• Membership of a Pension Scheme
• Membership of the Employee Assistance Programme
• Term time is approx. 34 weeks
• Free use of the fully equipped on-site gym
• Support for your continuous professional development 

Application

A letter of application indicating skills and experience, together with a completed application form, including the names and email addresses of at least two referees, should be sent for the attention of the Headmaster via Cheryl Wallace (Personnel Manager)

To meet our safeguarding obligations, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is undertaken as part of the recruitment process for all new staff. As Birkenhead School is an educational provider, it is permitted to ask whether an applicant has any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings which would not be filtered in line with current guidance, as defined by The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). It is a criminal offence for an individual who is barred from working with children to apply for a role which is classed as regulated activity.

The closing date for applications: 9.00am on Monday 19th June 2023.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy and complete the recruitment process when we are in receipt of sufficient applications. Should you wish to apply for this post you are advised to complete and submit your application form as soon as possible.