St Thomas a Becket Catholic Secondary School

A Voluntary Academy

Lay Chaplain Recruitment Pack

December 2017

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in the post of Lay Chaplain.

This is an exciting time to join our school; following successful Section 48 and Ofsted inspec-tions this term, both of which have graded us as “Good”, the school continues to progress and develop.

Our community has changed considerably in recent years; the loss 5 years ago of free transport for Catholic families to come us as a faith school had a huge impact on applications, but we are now at full recruitment and offer a vibrant and cohesive community where Ca-tholicism is still very much the dominant faith represented, but where young people of other faiths and traditions also join us to experience and thrive within the framework of our Catholic Ethos.

Both inspection teams commented at length on the care and compassion which is the hall-mark of our school; both commented on the wonderful relationships between staff and pupils and between the pupils themselves.

Becket’s is a true family where all are welcomed and valued and in recruiting a Lay Chaplain, we seek to appoint a key member of this family. The successful candidate will work alongside Senior and Middle leaders in broadening further the pastoral work of our Catholic school and crucially, take the lead in further developing the worship and evangelization our young people experience.

We proudly proclaim that we educate the whole person—adults as well as children—mind, body and spirit. I hope that you will be inspired by the Holy Spirit to join us in this privileged ministry.

Yours sincerely,

Cathy Baxendale

Acting Principal

Letter from the Acting Principal

St Thomas a Becket Catholic Secondary School

Barnsley Road, Sandal, Wakefield.

Telephone: (01924) 303545

LAY CHAPLAIN

Closing date:

17 Jan 2018

Interview date: 2 Feb 2018

Website: st-thomasabecket.bkcat.co.uk

Salary: Remuneration is at Grade 7 (Pts 23-25), starting point dependent on qualifications and experi-ence within the range £19,877.40 - £21,176.52.

Hours: 37 per week (term time) plus 4 weeks

APPLICATIONS FOR PART TIME WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED AND REMUNERATED ON A PRO RATA BASIS

St Thomas a Becket is a positive mixed 11 -16 Catholic academy with a strong moral and spiritual ethos. The Governors wish to make the following appointment for February 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter. The Governors invite applications for the post of Lay Chaplain from practising Catholics in good standing with the Church. The School Chaplain provides spiritual and pastoral support to stu-dents and staff of the school. This position is seen as crucial in fulfilling the School's mission. The Christian faith and commit-ment of the Lay Chaplain will play a central role in bearing wit-ness to this mission and maintaining the distinctive Catholic na-ture of the school. Do you: Live as a disciple of Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church? Have a sound understanding of the Catholic faith and how

to share it with others? Enjoy working with young people and adults? Know how to organise and plan liturgies and events such as

the celebration of Mass, retreats and fundraising activities? If so, we would like to hear from you. You will need good com-munication skills and the ability to work with a wide variety of people, including pupils, parents, teachers and clergy. We be-long to a strong network of Lay Chaplains within the Diocese of Leeds and beyond, as well as providing ongoing CPD and faith formation. Full details of the post are available from schools website (under the vacancies tab).

Completed application forms can be emailed to shargreaves@beckets.bkcat.co.uk or sent by post to the address

above, marked for the attention of Miss S Hargreaves.

The Bishop Konstant Catholic Academy Trust is committed to the protection of our children and to best practice in the recruitment of staff.

LAY CHAPLAIN

Terms and conditions of employment

Responsible to: The Principal

Employed by: The Bishop Konstant Catholic Academy Trust

Working with: Pupils, staff, parents, governors, feeder Primary Schools, the wider community and in liaison with the Diocese of Leeds Lay Chaplains’ Network and Youth Service

Location: St Thomas a Becket, Wakefield

Salary: Grade 7 as per advertisement

Expenses: n/a

Holiday: please se advertisement

Working Commitment: please see advertisement

Notice Period: 4 weeks

Policies: The post holder is required to abide by the policies of the Bishop Konstant Cath-olic Academy Trust in respect of both employment and the delivery of service to the Catholic community.

Safeguarding: The Bishop Konstant Catholic Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and

promoting the welfare of children and young persons and ensures that the high-est priority is given to safeguarding children and young people. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure Check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Job Description

SCHOOL LAY CHAPLAIN

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Chaplain as witness Help people to recognise God’s love for them and their need of God

Inspire through example

To encourage staff and pupils to live the faith by being involved in projects relating to social justice and global citizenship

The Chaplain as pastor Be visible and approachable around the school

Accompany people at particular stages of their journey through life

Get to know people individually and use every opportunity for contact to the best advantage

Support the Head Teacher in his/her role as faith leader in school

To play a central role in the pastoral system

The Chaplain as leader Support and further develop the spiritual, religious and liturgical life of the school.

Use a collaborative style of ministry that encourages a team approach to chaplaincy to develop and lead a chaplaincy team.

To offer opportunities of prayer for staff and students.

Plan for the same to occur with local clergy

Develop suitable activities to mark and celebrate the major feasts and seasons of the Church

To support staff and pupils in their planning, preparation and leading of liturgies and collective worship

Help with the provision of suitable resources for the prayer life and worship of the school

Ensure the school environment and displays reflect the school’s Catholic Christian identity.

Promote and care for the Prayer Room/Chapel as a sacred space.

Job Description

SCHOOL LAY CHAPLAIN

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop a school retreat programme for pupils

Support students to participate in the sacramental life of the Church, where appropriate.

To celebrate and share the faith life of the school with the wider community

To include the local parishes in school celebrations, where appropriate

Help with sensitive issues, advising on the Church’s teaching

The Chaplain as educator To support and enhance the RE curriculum, where appropriate

The Chaplain as professional Have input into the school development plan, its operation and review

Advise the Senior Leadership Team, where appropriate

Challenge and support on standards, morals and the values of the Christian life

To meet regularly with the line manager

To engage in a regular process of appraisal

To report to and work with Governors/Directors to promote the Catholic ethos and distinctive nature of the school.

Attend where possible staff meetings and any other meetings as appropriate

To engage with Continual Professional Development (CPD) relevant to the role of chaplain.

To avail of opportunities for enhancing his/her own spiritual well-being

To lead school based CPD for staff in relation to the Catholic life of the school.

To be a member of ACCE and use the opportunities the organisation offers for professional and spiritual development.

To be a member of the Diocesan Chaplaincy Group or its equivalent, attending meetings regularly

To liaise with Diocesan agencies, groups and individuals, where appropriate

Person Specification

Criteria Essential/ Desirable

Stage Identified

Personal Qualities/ Attributes

Practising Catholic in good standing with the Church

Be confident working with young people in a faith context

Ability to relate to and inspire young people with their love for Jesus and His Church

Well organised, self-motivated, able to act on initiative with a ‘can do’ attitude

Ability to use tact, sensitivity, diplomacy and good humour

Ability to understand others and create trust

Ability to manage time and workload effectively

A keen interest in developing the Chaplaincy role in an inno-vation and creative way

E E E E E E E E

Application form Interview References

Qualifications & Training

Theology Degree or equivalent qualification or comparable level of relevant experience

E Application form Certificates

Experience Experience of working with young people

Experience of working in a catholic environment/community: parish/school, retreat centre or youth service

Experience of preparing and delivering liturgies

Experience of working in a school environment

E E E D

Application form Interview References

Professional Knowledge

Knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting young people

A good understanding of Catholic Education and the ability to develop and deliver Catholic education/formation pro-grammes

Working knowledge of the Catholic faith and environment

E E E

Application form Interview References

Leadership Skills

Ability to lead, motivate and challenge pupils and staff

Ability to communicate effectively with pupils, colleagues, parents, governors, the Diocese of Leeds and other stake-holders

Effective organisational and administrative skills

E E

Application form Interview References

Aptitudes & Abilities

Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically with a wide range of stakeholders, including young people, parents, head teachers, lay chaplains, parishioners, priests

Excellent IT skills including internet and social media

Be flexible and adaptable with excellent listening skills

Skills in music and drama

E

D

E

D

Application form Interview References

Other Factors Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

A willingness to undergo training, especially in current safe-guarding practise

Willingness to undergo appropriate checks including DBS

E E

E

Application form Interview References

Vicariate for Education

Co-ordinator for Lay Chaplains in Catholic Schools

St Mary’s Presbytery

2 Clarence Street

Halifax HX1 5DH

Tel: 01422 352141

martin.kelly@dioceseofleeds.org.uk

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for the interest you have shown in the position of Lay Chaplain at Saint Thomas a Becket

Catholic Voluntary Academy.

We are blessed in the Diocese of Leeds to have a strong network of school lay chaplains and we are

developing a full programme of Continual Professional Development within a supportive environment. The

diocese is committed to supporting our lay chaplains as they seek to serve the students and staff of our

schools in their spiritual and pastoral life. Our chaplains work to nurture the faith formation and liturgical

life of the school community The chaplain also provides an important link between the school and the par-

ishes it serves.

The Vicariate for Education will provide opportunities for the successful candidate to network with

other lay chaplains both locally and nationally.

I look forward to welcoming whoever is appointed to the position and working with them.

Yours sincerely in the Lord,

Rev. Martin Kelly

DIOCESE OF LEEDS Registered Charity No. 249404

Dear applicant,

It’s a particularly exciting time for the Diocese of Leeds youth services. We are in the midst of developing a new youth service strategy across our parishes and schools and we recognise the crucial role of the Lay Chaplain within this. Bishop Marcus’s letter outlines our mission.

Knowing and loving Our Lord Jesus Christ, accepting the graces He freely gives to us in the Sacraments of the Church, and understanding how faith in Him can make a real impact for good in our lives and in the society in which we live, is at the centre of the Church’s mission in education. It is this vision which I wish to see at the heart of the strategy for the future provision of Catholic education and youth services within the Diocese of Leeds.

Bishop Marcus Stock, Pastoral letter, 25 September 2016

We seek to support, develop and network the existing youth work provision and chaplaincy work across our diocese as well as identifying areas in which new challenges and situations give us opportunities to walk with our young people in new ways; inspiring, forming and celebrating them as they grow in faith. The Faith in Action Award scheme is a big part of our work in the coming years and promises to be a great way of providing on-going formation, fellowship and catechesis within the parish and school com-munities from the ages of 10 - 15 years. We look forward to welcoming the successful candidate!

Jessica Wilkinson Youth Co-ordinator Diocese of Leeds