Roman Catholic Chaplain

Role Introduction

We are seeking to appoint an inspiring Roman Catholic Chaplain who will provide strong pastoral and spiritual support for our Catholic pupils, along with the wider Eton College community. The successful candidate must be an ordained Catholic priest and a carer of all souls. The appointment will be made taking into account the views of Rt Revd David Oakley, Bishop of Northampton - Eton being within the Diocese of Northampton.

Please note, the terms and conditions of this role will depend on the preferences of the successful candidate. If the candidate is willing to take on teaching in an academic subject area (whichever is most suited to their skills and experience), co-curricular duties and will embrace the pastoral duties that comes with life in a boarding community then the role will be accommodated.

Due to the needs of the school and the department, we may interview suitable candidates before the closing date. This job may also close early if a large number of applications are received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid missing your chance to apply.

Main Duties

CHAPLAINCY DUTIES

• celebrate Mass on Sundays, Wednesday mornings and at other times as required by the Faith, for example the Holydays of Obligation;
• celebrate the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and First Holy Communion if requested by members of the Catholic community of Eton College;
• prepare candidates for the annual celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation by the Bishop of Northampton;
• have oversight of the use, buildings and contents of Our Lady of Sorrows in Eton in liaison with the local parish priest at St Augustine’s Datchet;
• work with the council of the Saint Nicholas Society of Catholic Parents of Eton in fostering the Catholic faith;
• work together with the Anglican chaplaincy team under the guidance of the Conduct, the Revd. Stephen Gray;
• preside on a rota basis at the ecumenical morning services in College Chapel and Lower Chapel and as requested;
• liaise with Diocesan agencies, groups and individuals, where appropriate;
• develop suitable activities to mark and celebrate the major feasts and seasons of the Church;
• help with the provision of suitable resources for the prayer life and worship of the school.

ACADEMIC

• work and teach within an academic department. The department you will belong to will depend on your individual skills and experience. Details of this will be discussed at interview. 

CO-CURRICULAR

• accompany students on visits away from the school, subject to risk assessment;
• actively contribute to the staff duty rota, by eg: exam invigilating and supervising meal times;
• contribute to the school's wider social programme, including workshops, seminars, competitions, trips, open days, and so on;
• if the role is accommodated, you will contribute to the co-curricular life of the school as agreed with your line manager.

PASTORAL 

• be committed to the safeguarding of all young people;
• manage pupil behaviour to ensure a positive and safe learning environment;
• treat pupils with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect and observing boundaries appropriate to a teacher’s professional position;
• if the role is accommodated, you will tutor up to twelve pupils (typically in groups of 6), taking an interest in their academic progress and wellbeing;
• if the role is accommodated, you will be an active part of the boarding community supporting approximately 5 boarding houses.

The Ideal Candidate

ABOUT YOU

• be an ordained Catholic priest and a carer of all souls;
• be able to communicate with, enthuse and motivate young people;
• be excited to join a high-achieving and reflective academic culture;
• have an outstanding record of academic engagement and achievement;
• be a positive, forward-looking and collaborative colleague;
• share Eton’s holistic vision of education and be excited to contribute whole-heartedly to the co-curricular and pastoral aspects of boarding school life;
• be open to a range of opportunities to enhance your own spiritual wellbeing;
• embrace developments and innovations in teaching and learning and be open to a range of approaches in your professional practice.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Experience of chaplaincy work within the education sector.
• A solid understanding of the distinctive nature of Roman Catholicism within the school environment and the school’s role in the parish and diocese.
• Demonstrable evidence of leading worship, church traditions and practices;
• Understanding of the role of chaplain in the spiritual development of pupils and staff.
• Previous experience as a teacher and the ability to teach an academic subject would be desirable.
• A solid understanding of, and commitment to working within the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships and collaborate with a wide range of people.
• Strong ICT competence and willingness to use new technologies for teaching and learning.
• Highly motivated and can work independently as well as within wider teams.
• Demonstrable interest in the welfare and pastoral well-being of young people.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• A positive attitude, an optimistic approach to change and development, a balanced sense of perspective and a good sense of humour.

DISCLOSURE CHECKS

Eton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to, reference checks with past employers, an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (including Barred List information), an online search and, where applicable, Prohibition checks. If you are successful in your application, you will be required to complete a DBS Disclosure Application Form. Any information disclosed will be handled in accordance with any guidance and/or Code of Practice published by the DBS. The College is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings (including those which would normally be considered as “spent” under the Act) must be declared, subject to the DBS filtering rules. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to attempt to apply for a position at the College.

If you have any queries about the application process or any problem with submitting your application online, the Recruitment Team will be happy to help. Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made or facilities provided to enable you to apply online, please do not hesitate to contact us on recruitment@etoncollege.org.uk so we can make adjustments accordingly.