From the Vicar of the University Church Thank you for your interest in the role of Farmington Scholar at the University Church. St Mary’s is a busy city centre church with almost half a million visitors each year. Among them, we welcome a number of school groups, often working in collaboration with Christ Church Cathedral. Together with the Farmington Institute, we are seeking to appoint an experienced teacher to help draw on these resources in order to coordinate the provision of teaching and learning materials to serve the school curriculum. We are particularly interested in resources which will serve Secondary School children and young people. We would hope that the post-holder would seek to build partnerships with the University of Oxford, its museums and its outreach and access programmes. While there is no expectation that the post-holder would be a practising Christian, we would expect the post-holder to be theologically literate and broadly in sympathy with our mission and values. Ideally, we would like the Farmington Scholar to start in September, to serve for one academic year, and to be with us for one day a week during school terms. Nevertheless, we are keen to recruit the best possible person and this is open to negotiation. A January start is also possible. If you would like any further information about the post or an exploratory conversation, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. With every good wish, The Revd Dr William Lamb Vicar, The University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford University Church of St Mary the Virgin High Street Oxford OX1 4BJ 01865 513391 [email protected] www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk Registered Charity Number 1130491 UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN FARMINGTON SCHOLAR www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk FURTHER PARTICULARS Profile of the University Church The University Church of St Mary the Virgin is a significant city centre church at the heart of Oxford. It is the church from which the University of Oxford developed in the middle ages. The building is of great historical importance and some of the earliest University buildings lie within its precincts. The University Church offers a wealth of resources in terms of English history (particularly the Tudors and Stuarts) and theology. It was the site of theological debate and dispute in the Middle Ages, the place of Thomas Cranmer’s trial, a building which bears the marks of the English Civil War, the place where John Wesley preached and where John Keble’s Assize Sermon launched the Oxford Movement. Its spire dominates the Oxford skyline from every angle. Today the University Church has a significant ministry not only to the University, but also to the city and the many visitors who come from all over the world. It attracts almost 500,000 visitors per annum and is one of the most visited churches in the country. The church provides one of the larger venues for concerts, award ceremonies, church services (including weddings, funerals and memorial services) and other occasional events held by community and university organisations. There is a small Gift Shop at the base of the Tower, which Tower affords one of the best views of Oxford, and approximately 100,000 visitors climb the tower each year. The precincts of St Mary’s also include the award-winning Vaults and Garden Café. Above the café is the Old Library which is used for hospitality, as well as lectures and the Church’s educational programme (including conferences). We have a rich and varied theological programme of lectures and events, including the Bampton Lectures. We are conscious that we have not always been good at disseminating these resources. Moreover, we believe that we could make much better use of the Adam de Brome Chapel for exhibitions. The Farmington Scholar will be responsible for ensuring that we make much more effective use of our resources both within the building and online. The Staff Team The Farmington Scholar will work alongside a small staff team: • Vicar: The Revd Dr William Lamb • Associate Vicar: The Revd James Crockford • Associate Priests: The Revd Charlotte Bannister-Parker, The Revd Alan Ramsey • Parish Administrator & Communications Officer: Ana-Maria Niculcea • Operations Manager: Patrick Croom • Director of Music: Robert Howarth • Organist: James Brown • There is a large lay staff - Facilities Manager, Finance Officer, Shop Manager, Shop Assistants, Operational Assistants, and Ministry Interns. The Farmington Scholarship The Scholarship is open to UK secondary and primary school teachers. The aim of the Farmington Institute is to support and encourage teachers of Religious Education in schools. Working with the University Church, the Institute is seeking to expand the range of educational resources available to support the curriculum in RE and associated subjects in UK secondary schools. The Scholarship will cover the cost of essential local travel and, by negotiation with the school, the salary of a replacement teacher up to point 6 of the main pay scale. The Farmington Scholar will have access to a shared office and meeting rooms at St Mary’s. The postholder will be expected to produce an outline plan of their work in consultation with the Vicar of St Mary’s and members of the Reference Group. We want to produce educational resources for Keystage 3, 4 and 5, which serve the following aims: • Supporting the curriculum for RE, History, English, and PSHE • Improving religious and theological literacy • Resourcing teachers who lack specialist knowledge through provision of online materials and/or training sessions • Drawing on the expertise afforded by scholars and academics within the University • Providing materials which are at the cutting edge of teaching and theological research • Digitising existing and future content (e.g. short video clips) • Building partnerships with the Cathedral, Faculties, Colleges, Libraries and Museums to create programmes for schools which include several Oxford destinations • Helping us to expand and train the team of school visit guides The Farmington Scholar may focus on any aspect of the University Church's life which relates directly to the RE curriculum. Some current suggestions, which might stimulate the thinking of the postholder, include: Tudors and Stuarts – the University Church was the scene of the trial of Archbishop Cranmer and the Laudian porch was an important target in the Civil War. The building bears the scars of conflict over the meaning and value of art and ritual within Christianity. The Idea of a University – The preaching of John Henry Newman could be used to explore how religious and political conflict is negotiated, or to consider the place of a university in ensuring religious conformity or nurturing dissent. World Christianity - The arrival of Lutheran refugees in the 1930s and the founding of Oxfam in the 1940s could provide material for discussing the relationship between religion, migration and social justice. Philosophy and Ethics - the Church's story could provide the basis for a project which engaged with questions of individual conscience, the basis of authority, or how religious traditions change through time. Art, Literature and Theology - The University Church has links to the novelist and thinker C S Lewis (the 'Narnia' lamppost is outside) and could stimulate reflection on art, literature and theology. Reference Group To support the Farmington Scholar in their role, we have drawn together a Reference Group to provide a sounding board and advice. The members are: The Revd Dr William Lamb, the Vicar Mr David Barr, Teacher The Revd Wealands Bell, Teacher and Chaplain Mrs Claire Hewson, Teacher Miss Anna Hughes, Teacher Dr Mary Marshall, Director of Undergraduate Studies and Outreach, Faculty of Theology & Religion Professor Sarah Mortimer, Tutor in Modern History and Student of Christ Church Sir Ralph Waller, Director, The Farmington Institute, Harris Manchester College Terms of the Appointment The post is subject to current safeguarding legislation and the Diocese of Oxford’s safeguarding policy. All applicants will be required to complete a confidential declaration as part of the recruitment process. An applicant in receipt of a conditional offer will need to apply for DBS Enhanced Disclosure before taking up the role. Application Candidates should provide a completed application form, a CV, a completed confidential declaration form, and a letter of application including a statement of why they are particularly suited to this post. Candidates should include the names and contact details of two referees. At least one of the candidate’s referees should be their most recent employer. Candidates should also arrange for their current Headteacher to send a letter of support. Applications should be addressed to: The Administrator University Church High Street Oxford OX1 4BJ Tel: 01865 279110 Email: [email protected] Website: www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk Applications close at 12 noon on Wednesday 3 July. Interview procedure Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend an interview on the afternoon and early evening of Tuesday 9 July 2019. Candidates are asked to keep this date and time free. All applicants will be informed by email whether they have been shortlisted by 5.00pm on Friday 5 July. .