Head of Christian Theology

Salary: Depending on qualifications and experience. This is a senior position and therefore attracts the appropriate additional responsibility points

Closing date: 12 October 2024, midday

Interviews: 18 and 19 October 2024

Start Date: January 2025 (negotiable)

Founded in 1802 and set in a beautiful Yorkshire valley, Ampleforth College is the world’s foremost Catholic boarding school, welcoming girls and boys of all faiths aged 11-18. Each student’s unique talents are recognised and nurtured within a welcoming community rooted in Benedictine values. At its foundation, the basic mission of a Catholic School is to invite young people into a transforming encounter with Christ through the life of the Christian Community. This gift is realised in Catholic Education as a place where children grow in: 

• self-knowledge  
• self-acceptance  
• self-gift  

This is a key appointment, one of the most important appointments we will make this year and is an exciting opportunity for an outstanding practitioner who will strive for excellence in and out of the classroom. Modelling academia and Benedictine Scholarship, you will ensure the department remains at the heart of the school and is a flagship department. At Ampleforth, a Catholic education is an intentional and coherent vision for the formation of our students and something that senior leaders strategically consider how they can instil in all aspects of school life. With Catholic formation being inextricably linked to discipleship, it is strongly considered in our Teaching and Learning Strategy and can be seen through the shared philosophy that supports all teachers to see every interaction, however small, as an opportunity to form and shape students. It is imperative that as Head of Christian Theology, you must model the patience and compassion that Jesus showed his own disciples towards both the students and staff.

We are seeking a Head of Department who can guide colleagues and the curriculum in developing students with philosophical, religious, moral and social awareness, in an atmosphere of academic rigor, open debate and challenge. As both a teacher and Head of Department, it is your role to show students that they will discover self-worth by valuing others; self-esteem begins with esteem of the other. At Ampleforth, student mentoring is an important element in young people discovering their self-worth. Year 12 students are paired with Year 10 students and support them to reflect on their routines and relationships honestly and out of experience, making resolutions each week and holding each other to account; deep and transforming listening with the ear of the heart. 

Depending on skills and experience, the successful candidate will work closely and may have the opportunity to lead the curriculum for our highly praised model of RSHE, which covers and goes beyond the national curriculum; building year on year, students are invited to understand how they interact with the world and each other, and to consider the quality of those interactions. It is more than gaining a knowledge of risks such as drugs and alcohol present and is designed to engender a strong sense of self-respect and confidence, so students are able to make better choices for themselves and care for others. 

At Ampleforth, the curriculum encompasses all you would expect, such as citizenship, economic education, wellbeing, British values, health, relationships and sex; however, it does so in a unique way, the Ampleforth Way, deeply rooted in the Catholic faith, Benedictine character and school core values.

We recognise the need to develop self-esteem and personal resilience so that our young people are on a secure foundation to deal with the challenges and pressures that life will no doubt throw at them. This is part of what we call a ‘Compass for Life’ at Ampleforth. Our welcoming community, steeped in Benedictine principles, cherishes each individual’s unique contribution and transforms us into better people through our shared life together and our service to each other. Students learn how to think independently, express themselves, and have the confidence to lead, while being compassionate and working well with others. Equipped with the skills and mindset needed to flourish, they are inspired to be thoughtful, courageous, and proactive members of society.

A Catholic education is both a promise and an invitation, because the strength of this is that firstly it is lived and shared. It is crucial to recognise that the journey from self-knowledge, into wholehearted and self-giving love underlies education in a Catholic school and the right candidate will understand and embody these beliefs.

You will have an outstanding Theology degree and a proven track record at middle and possibly senior management already. This post would not be suitable for early career teacher (ECT).

In return we offer the following benefits:-

• Free meal during working hours
• Death in Service Gratuity
• A generous Bounty scheme for referral of new staff
• Free car parking on site
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Staff Lodging (where available)
• A friendly and supportive working environment
• 10% Staff Discount at Ampleforth Abbey Shop and Tearooms
• Discounted gym membership
• Fee remission (at the Head’s discretion)

Should you have any questions regarding this position or would like further information, please contact Helen Pepper, Assistant Head T&L and PDR at hcp@ampleforth.org.uk, or John Devitt, Deputy Head Academic at jod@ampleforth.org.uk

Please return completed application forms to employment@ampleforth.org.uk  

St Laurence Education Trust and Ampleforth College are committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people. They expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and will ensure that all recruitment and selection practices and procedures reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) along with other relevant employment checks.