Chaplain - Culford School

Culford School are looking to appoint a Chaplain for September 2025. A Chaplain represents the wider church in and to the school and also, with the Head, represents the school to the wider church. The Chaplain, whatever their denomination, has responsibility for maintaining and developing the Methodist tradition and ethos within the school and will be a main link between the school and the Methodist Church. Culford’s Chaplain is strongly encouraged to forge links with the local circuit; it is hoped that this would be both on a personal basis with ministerial colleagues and between the school and local churches.

It is Culford’s mission to unlock the potential of every child and to develop lifelong values and a love of learning within a community that strives for excellence and nurtures compassion and resilience. We aim to be an internationally recognised independent boarding school that stands out as a leader in innovation placing a focus on nurturing the individual to fulfil their unique ambitions as global citizens contributing to a strong and sustainable future. As staff, we commit to supporting these aims within our individual roles and responsibilities.

Culford is a boarding and day school for over 850 children aged 1 to 18, set in 480 acres of beautiful Suffolk parkland, with an 18th century grade II mansion at its centre and three separate schools: the Pre-Prep & Nursery (ages 1 to 7); the Prep (ages 7 to 13); and the Senior School (ages 13 to 18).

We believe in educating the whole person to deliver a well-rounded, fulfilled individual with excellent academic results. Everything we do is informed by our firm belief that learning should be challenging, enriching and fun. Culford is a Christian school with a Methodist tradition. We see education as a transformational process that guides pupils towards academic success, clear moral values, and the development of leadership and a readiness for the world of adulthood.

Click here for the job description.

Click here to find out more about Culford School.

 Essential criteria:

• To be well qualified (to degree level or equivalent) with proven pastoral and leadership skills
• To command respect amongst teaching and support staff
• The ability to relate to children and teenagers as well as adults
• To be sensitive to the needs, interests and anxieties of all, committed to keeping children safe and to working in accordance with the school’s statutory requirements for child protection and safeguarding
• To be able to exercise a pastoral ministry to the whole school community (including families of pupils and staff)
• To be able to plan thought provoking and inspirational assemblies and opportunities for school worship consistent with Methodist teaching and doctrine for pupils in the Nursery, Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior Schools.
• As a practising Christian, be willing to stand clearly on religious and moral issues in the school; setting a high personal standard
• Interested in the wellbeing of the whole school
• Self-disciplined in all confidential matters both personal and organisational
• Resilient and determined in supporting the needs of pupils, staff and parents
• Able to maintain good discipline and in exercising it in such a way as not to damage the pastoral relationship between Chaplain and pupil
• A team player, willing and able to abide by the staff code of conduct and able to provide pastoral support to the Head
• Good administrative ability

Desirable criteria:

• To be an ordained Methodist minister (presbyter or deacon) and normally to have had circuit experience
• Previous involvement in work with young people (including school chaplaincy)
• If a teaching role is envisaged, relevant teaching experience and qualification will be expected

Accommodation:

The School provides a house for the Chaplain. The accommodation currently available is a three bedroom house semi-detached property with a garden and a separate study in the main school building.

Application process:

Each applicant for a Chaplaincy vacancy at a Methodist school must complete the School’s application form and provide contact details for two referees, one of whom must be the person currently responsible for management or oversight of the applicant’s current appointment/employment. Closing date for applications 13th September 2024. Given the timing of this advert, early applications are encouraged.

Applicants must be living in the UK and be able to provide suitable evidence of their Right To Work in the UK.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds.

Culford School puts at the centre of its operation the safeguarding of the pupils of the school and encourage a culture of challenge to ensure the risks of harm to the pupils’ individual welfare are minimised.

Successful applicants must complete mandatory pre-employment training in safeguarding and other key areas before commencement of employment.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants will undergo appropriate child protection screening; pre-employment checks will be carried out; references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies.

We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. If shortlisted, you are required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account.

If you are unsure whether you need to disclose criminal information, you should seek legal advice or you may wish to contact Nacro or Unlock for impartial advice. There is more information on filtering and protected offences on the Ministry of Justice website.