School Chaplain
Shiplake College
Oxfordshire
- Expired
- Salary:
- Competitive salary plus benefits
- Job type:
- Full Time, Part Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- September 2024
- Apply by:
- 19 March 2024
Job overview
School Chaplain
Full time or part time
Competitive salary
Onsite accommodation may be available
Starting September 2024
We have a superb opportunity for an ordained Church of England priest to become our Chaplain and lead the spiritual life of the College. The successful candidate will work closely with the Sixth Form team of Chapel Wardens and the Director of Music who provide support for College acts of worship which are held in Shiplake Parish Church. They will be expected to liaise closely with the Rector of the Benefice.
As Chaplain you will be actively involved in all aspects of College life, leading services, organising daily drop-in sessions, and visiting each of the houses during break times.
Our “Rev”, as they are affectionately known, not only provides practical and spiritual support to the whole community, but continually inspires us to think beyond the boundaries of school life, such as the harvest festival collections of practical items for the Churches in Reading Drop-in Centre for the homeless, and our link with schools in Kenya. Pupils help deliver the items and see first-hand how small acts of kindness make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Ideally you will teach a reduced timetable in an agreed subject, this will be discussed in more detail at interview.
Applicants must be approachable, supportive, and empathetic to the whole community; creative in approach to church services and able to source inspirational guest speakers for whole school events. Experience of working with teenagers would be an advantage. The successful candidate will have the ability to inspire, challenge, support and engage all members of the community. Free accommodation may be available onsite.
Shiplake College is an independent boarding and day school for just over 500 pupils aged 11 to 18. There has been a co-educational Sixth Form since 1998 and in September 2023 girls joined in Year 7 as the College goes fully co-educational. Situated in 45 acres of beautiful countryside near Henley-on-Thames, we offer an outstanding education based on small class sizes, excellent facilities and dedicated teaching staff. All teaching staff are expected to contribute to the busy programme of co-curricular activities on offer.
We offer a competitive salary, excellent free lunches and a contributory pension scheme together with access to our gym and sporting facilities and an excellent working environment.
Early applications are welcomed, as the College reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the application process.
Closing date: Tuesday 19 March 2024
Interviews will be held week commencing Monday 25 March 2024
A candidate pack and application form can be obtained from
Day and boarding school for ages 11-18, fully co-educational from 2023
HMC, The Society of Heads, BSA
Shiplake College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Shiplake College is also committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Attached documents
About Shiplake College
Shiplake College is a thriving and relatively young HMC school. It caters for boarding and day pupils aged 11-18. There has been a co-educational Sixth Form since 1998 and in September 2023 girls joined in Year 7 (making up 42% of the cohort) as the College goes fully co-educational. In September 2023 it welcomed a record 521 pupils to the school - an increase from 400 in September 2013.
Overlooking the River Thames, two miles upstream of the famous Henley Royal Regatta stretch, pupils enjoy a beautiful and inspiring 45-acre rural site. The College is conveniently located near major air, railway and motorway networks, close to Reading, London and Oxford and just 40 minutes from Heathrow. Full, weekly and flexi-boarding is available from Year 9, with ad hoc ‘overnight stays’ also an option for day pupils.
Every pupil is placed at the heart of Shiplake life and the College’s ethos is underpinned by the three Is – Inclusive, Individual and Inspirational.
Shiplake provides a friendly, supportive and structured environment to bring out the best in each and every pupil. Renowned for outstanding pastoral care and personal development, the College welcomes pupils with wide-ranging skills and talents, who will make the most of the many opportunities offered to them. The College provides an education that is tailored to the individual, achieved through engaging and inspirational teaching, delivered in small classes where the teachers can know and understand each pupil’s method of learning.
Headmaster
Tyrone Howe
Values and Vision
Shiplake College understands the importance of not just an all-round education, but an education that offers specific skills needed in the modern job market to help students progress successfully after leaving. The admissions policy aims to identify potential students with a wide range of talents, to ensure a learning environment that offers the highest chance of success.
Our mixture of boarders and day pupils form a vibrant and busy community, where every day brings fresh challenges and new opportunities. At Shiplake, the passionate teaching and support staff make the energetic and dynamic boarding school a welcoming place in which to work. A rich and inspiringly-taught curriculum creates an environment where personal values and a strong work ethic can develop. This is underpinned by the finest pastoral care, and pupils are encouraged to participate in co-curricular pursuits such as sports, musical ensembles, drama productions or community service, which is as vital for personal development as classroom-based teaching. Taking a holistic approach to education is key to working at Shiplake; supporting our pupils in their endeavours and embracing the lifestyle at this busy and vibrant boarding school is paramount for anyone working here.
Pupils will leave Shiplake College well-shaped socially and academically, thanks to the structured and supportive nature of the school. Promoting Christian values, teachers encourage every pupil to respect their peers by exercising tolerance, compassion and humility.
Working at Shiplake College
As well as providing a fantastic learning and living environment for young people, Shiplake offers an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding working environment.
We strive to recruit the best possible teaching and support staff to drive the College forwards and ensure we continue to provide the best possible rounded education for our pupils.
For all teaching appointments, a willingness to participate in the varied extra-curricular life of a busy boarding and day school is essential. Shiplake has a contributory pension scheme (TPS or alternative option for support staff) and its own salary scale. Accommodation may be available on site and further paid responsibilities may also be available. Excellence in the classroom and an ability to inspire young people are paramount and non-negotiable.
Shiplake College offers a beautiful working environment, supportive colleagues and all staff enjoy a free lunch and evening meal if on duty. In addition, staff are encouraged to make use of the onsite gym facilities, open air swimming (during summer months), and join a variety of staff teams such as football, touch rugby and cricket.
ISI Report
In its ISI Inspection in May 2022, Shiplake College achieved full compliance and the top category of EXCELLENT in both “the quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements” and “the quality of the pupils’ personal development”.
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