CHAPLAIN (for September 2021)

Characteristics of the School

Westminster School is a selective day and for boys aged 13 to 18 and girls aged 16 to 18. There are approximately 760 pupils in all: 360 (boys only) in the Lower School (Years 9 to 11); and a co-educational (one third girls, two thirds boys) Upper School (Years 12 and 13) of 400. One quarter of the pupils board, and the School is structured and run as a boarding school, with an extended day and week and a strong House-based system of pastoral welfare, for boarding and day pupils alike. is an ancient school, whose origins can be traced to a charity school established by the Benedictine monks of . Its continuous existence is certain from the early 14th century. Henry VIII personally ensured the School’s survival by statute and , who confirmed royal patronage in 1560, is celebrated as the School’s foundress. Westminster is rare amongst long-established schools in remaining on its original site in the centre of . Its proximity to Parliament and Westminster Abbey, and the use of the Abbey for its chapel, together with the stimulating diversity of the South Bank and West End, account in part for its special atmosphere and outlook.

The School aims to be one of the foremost centres of academic excellence both in this country and internationally. Central to its academic ethos is the dialogue between teachers and their pupils, whether in the classroom or in tutorials, inspiring enjoyment of intellectual enquiry, debate and search for explanation and the development of skills of rational, independent thought well beyond any standard examination syllabus. The desired environment is happy, busy and purposeful; the pupils are intellectually, socially, ethically and politically engaged, with plenty of opportunities to develop initiatives and to articulate and defend their views, in line with the enduring values of the liberal tradition reflected in the School’s Charter. That tradition is fully committed also to the nurture of each pupil’s spiritual, moral, emotional and physical development and wellbeing - with a particular emphasis on drawing out individual talent wherever it lies - and to the preparation of young people for fulfilled private and public lives beyond school.

The Post

The Chaplain will be an experienced Anglican priest who is prayerful, pastoral and enjoys working with young people as part of an academically-selective school (13-18) and wider religious community within the precincts of Westminster Abbey.

The Chaplain plays a key role in the School community. Reporting to the Head Master, they also work closely with members of the Senior Management Committee, specifically the Under Master and Deputy Head (Co-curriculum, Events and Planning), Housemasters, Director of Music, Heads of Year, Matrons, School Counsellor, and pupils of all genders in maintaining and developing the spiritual life of the School.

Liaison with staff and clergy at Westminster Abbey, where a great many of the School’s services take place, is also an important part of the role; as is a willingness to take an interest in the wider school community of parents, alumni, and partner schools and organisations.

The Chaplain meets twice-termly with the Head Master for a formal discussion about all aspects of the Chaplain’s work and their perspective on school matters.

In order to facilitate the Chaplain’s work, accommodation may be available.

The Spiritual Life of the School – Worship

The Chaplain will

• Take responsibility for and lead where appropriate the worshipping life of the School in Westminster Abbey, including two weekly services for the whole School and special annual services, including carol, confirmation, commemoration and leavers’ services • Identify and invite speakers for Abbey (staff, pupils and visitors) to deliver talks in response to specific events or needs • Provide editorial assistance to staff and pupils who offer to speak in Abbey • Arrange and lead Compline in St Faith’s (a chapel in the Abbey) for each of the boarding houses on a rota basis • Support mid-week Prayers for year groups in the School Chapel or in the School’s main hall • Lead Evensong in the School Chapel once or twice a term, giving a short homily and arranging for pupils to read and pray • Preside at the voluntary School Eucharist in the School Chapel or in Henry VII (the Lady Chapel of the Abbey), arranging for staff and pupils to read, pray, intercede and help with administration • Liaise with the Director of Music about music for all services • Script all the service sheets used for services by the School and arrange for the printing by the Head of Reprographics • Liaise with the Deputy Head Co-curriculum, Events and Planning and the Dean’s PA about putting services in the Almanack (the School’s calendar) • Liaise with the Master of the Queen’s Scholars about services in the Abbey involving the Scholars – Sunday Eucharists twice a term and the annual Induction, Commemoration and Service of Remembrance • Liaise with Abbey staff including the Dean’s Verger, Head Beadle and the Head of Visitor Experience about arrangements for services in the Abbey • Liaise with a chaplain from Westminster Cathedral to arrange RC Mass twice a term in the School Chapel or in the Shrine of Westminster Abbey. • Arrange occasional services including baptisms, weddings, blessings after a civil marriage, memorial services, funerals, internment of ashes, either in the School or, exceptionally, in the Abbey • Arrange occasional services of remembrance in the Chapel or devise other ways in which pupils may be supported in times of loss • Liaise with the Senior Minor Canon and the chaplains of School and about the annual schools’ confirmation service in the Abbey • Attend rehearsals for the annual Commemoration service in the Abbey in November. • Identify, brief and rehearse readers and speakers for all services in the Abbey, notably the Carol Service • Negotiate and manage a budget • Support and promote charitable events • Organise and account cash collections

Pastoral Care

The Chaplain will

• Promote and support the pastoral welfare and safeguarding of pupils and staff • Take responsibility for the spiritual and moral development of pupils and staff • Commend and encourage acts of kindness, compassion and charity, encouraging individuals to develop responsible moral attitudes • Offer annual Confirmation preparation to pupils and staff, including a visit to a retreat centre (such as Alton Abbey) or pilgrimage • Organise an annual retreat or pilgrimage for pupils and staff • Offer marriage preparation to couples intending to marry in the School Chapel • Organise Chaplain’s Breakfast before school on Wednesdays or a similar opportunity for the discussion of current events, philosophical or ethical issues from a Christian perspective • Support pupil initiatives to promote and explore Christian perspectives • Liaise with a parent coordinator to organise the twice termly staff parent prayer group • Organise a weekly staff prayer group • Meet weekly with the Under Master, and regularly with the School Counsellor and Under Master, to discuss staff and pupil welfare • Attend and contribute to the work of the School’s Safeguarding team

Wider Church responsibilities

The Chaplain will

• Obtain a licence from the Bishop of London • Participate in the local Deanery, attending Chapter meetings when these do not conflict with School commitments • Attend diocesan clergy conferences • Keep their church safeguarding credentials up to date • Assist with services in the Abbey at the invitation of the Abbey

Teaching

The Chaplain will

• Teach in an academic department which may or may not be Theology and Philosophy. (It is expected that this will amount to approximately 10 periods per week, but this will vary depending on the subject and post-holder) • Take responsibility for the preparation of course materials, the teaching, setting and marking of work and for report writing • Offer one or more Sixth Form Options in all three rounds each year

Co-curriculum

The Chaplain will

• Contribute to the Lower School Activity programme after lessons on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday • Coordinate pupil-led societies • Attend school societies, lectures, plays and concerts • Assist with afternoon activities on Tuesdays and Thursdays (‘Station’) • Contribute to the expeditions programme in October and June, either in the UK or abroad

Personal Qualities

The Chaplain will be

• Sympathetic to staff and pupils of all faiths and none and reflect this sympathy in the organisation of services and activities • Cheerful, kind and warm, committed to supporting and safeguarding young people and being a critical part of a caring community of children and adults • Willing to share the lives of staff and pupils so that they know they are loved • Content to be invisible, understanding that what really matters, is not necessarily seen • Tactful and prophetic, whether speaking to Governors or to pupils • Vulnerable, able to admit weakness and error • A safe and effective digital communicator with pupils

The Application

Westminster has its own salary scale, and new members of staff are placed at a point relevant to their qualifications and experience. Details of salary will be discussed at interview with those candidates who are short-listed. If you would like to discuss details of this post informally in the first instance, please contact the current post-holder, Gavin Williams ([email protected]).

To apply, please send a letter of application addressed to the Head Master, Dr G J Savage, and a completed application form together with a detailed curriculum vitae, via e-mail re- [email protected] by 9.00am on 26 February 2021.

Interviews will be held w/c 08 March 2021.

We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date for applications, so an early application is encouraged.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation.

Westminster School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.