School Chaplain (Part Time)

School Chaplain (Part Time)

Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Required for September 2026

Closing date: 5 June 2026

The Peterborough School (TPS) is an Independent Day School delivering exceptional education and nurturing children from Nursery through to Sixth Form.  The School is set in beautiful and historic grounds in the heart of Peterborough and boasts excellent facilities, including its own chapel. More information about the School can be obtained from the website, www.thepeterboroughschool.co.uk

The School is a Woodard School. Founded on the vision of Canon Nathaniel Woodard, Woodard Schools provide high quality education in an actively Christian school environment for all. Educating 30,000 pupils a year, Woodard Schools is one of the largest providers of education in the UK.

We are seeking a compassionate, committed, and faithfilled School Chaplain to join our school and play an essential role in nurturing the spiritual and pastoral life of our community.  Rooted in the Christian faith and the Anglican tradition, our School is a place where everyone is welcomed, valued, and respected, whatever their background or beliefs. The Chaplain will play a key role in offering care, encouragement, and reflective space for pupils, staff, and families of all traditions.

The role is part-time and expected to be three days per week.  A full-time role may be available for a person who is able to contribute to the teaching within the School; this will depend on qualifications and experience.

At The Peterborough School we have high standards and expectations, and we are interested in education in the fullest sense. Our curricular and extra-curricular programme, combined with excellent pastoral support, reflect our commitment to ensuring that our pupils benefit from a first-class education in a supportive setting.

All our staff are integral to our mission, inspiring the minds of our children, optimising their potential and challenging them both academically and holistically, whilst supporting each other to make that happen. Staff wellbeing is a key priority of our Governors and Senior Leadership Team and is promoted throughout the School.  All staff are welcome to a complementary full school meal in our exceptional refectory during term time.

We offer a competitive remuneration package in a welcoming, friendly environment within a beautiful setting, benefitting from both superb transport links and our own secure car park.  Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. There is a range of benefits for staff, including an occupational pension, free car parking and lunch, and access to a subsidised private health scheme, and there is generous fee remission for staff children.

We would love to hear from you if you have taken a look at our Person Specification and Job Description and you think you would like to learn more about us.

More details and an application form are available from the ‘Contact Us’ section of our website www.thepeterboroughschool.co.uk

The School 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).

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (amended 2013 and 2020)) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ’s guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide

Person Specification

The Chaplain at The Peterborough School should be an exceptional person, and there are a myriad ways in which a person may be considered exceptional. The School’s next Chaplain should have a passion for education and support and promote the ethos of the School which is based on Christian values, welcoming children of all faiths and none. Strong support for the traditions of Woodard Schools will be essential. They will have the ability to set an example, in terms of demeanour, consideration for others, kindness, tolerance, discretion, diplomacy, strength of purpose and generosity of spirit, which models for others the nature of outstanding pastoral care in a Christian school.

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Has a recognised qualification or substantive training in theology, ministry, chaplaincy, pastoral care, or a related discipline.
• Has a strong academic base; comprising a minimum of an honours degree.
• Formation or training that reflects the traditions and practice of the Church of England.
• Evidence of appropriate safeguarding training or willingness to undertake this on appointment.

Desirable

• Authorisation, licensing, or recognition by a Church of England diocese, bishop, or parish.
• Additional training in chaplaincy, counselling skills, mental health first aid, or spiritual direction

Experience

Essential

• Experience of providing pastoral, spiritual, or emotional support to children and/or young people.
• Experience of working collaboratively within a professional team.

Desirable

• Experience of chaplaincy or pastoral leadership in a Church of England school.
• Experience of leading assemblies, acts of worship, or reflective sessions.
• Experience of working with families and external agencies.

Knowledge and Understanding

Essential

• A clear understanding of the spiritual, emotional, and social needs of children and young people.
• A secure understanding of the Christian vision and values underpinning a Woodard education.
• Understanding of the Anglican tradition, including inclusive worship, prayer, and the liturgical year.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, confidentiality, and professional boundaries.
• Understanding of the role of education and the values and ethos of schools.

Desirable

• Understanding of multi‑faith contexts and inclusive practice.
• Awareness of current challenges facing young people (including mental health, identity, and wellbeing).

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to offer compassionate, reflective, and non‑judgemental pastoral support grounded in Christian faith.
• Ability to lead, support, and evaluate high quality collective worship in line with Church of England guidance.
• Excellent listening, communication, and relationship‑building skills with pupils, staff, and parents.

Desirable

• Ability to contribute to the development of pupils through teaching, mentoring, or small‑group work.
• Ability to support bereavement, crisis response, and times of transition within the school community.

Personal competencies and qualities

Essential

• A committed Christian with a mature, reflective faith consistent with Anglican teaching and practice.
• Integrity, warmth, humility, and emotional resilience.
• Ability to model Christian values such as compassion, forgiveness, hope, and justice in daily relationships.
• Ability to manage time demands and ensure deadlines are met

Faith, Ethos, and Inclusion

Essential

• Commitment to the distinctive Christian character of a Church of England school.
• Ability to nurture faith while respecting and welcoming pupils and staff of other faiths or none.
• Ability to articulate Christian belief in an invitational, age‑appropriate, and inclusive manner.

Desirable

• Experience of ecumenical or inter‑faith engagement within an Anglican context.

Safeguarding and Compliance

Essential

• Clear commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Willingness to undergo an Enhanced DBS check, diocesan safeguarding checks, and any required referencing.