Chaplaincy

The School Chaplain is Mrs Pam Richards. In her role as chaplain, she provides support to the overall caring ethos of the school. The chaplaincy assists in the holistic, formative education that the school encourages. The well-being of staff and students is at the heart of this provision. It provides pastoral support to staff and students through developing a meaningful relationship with the whole school community.

There is a themed weekly reflection for all staff, a lunch-time meeting available for students to encourage them to flourish, to explore the spiritual nature of humanity and to achieve their individual potential and an afterschool meeting for staff, to provide fellowship, as well as to encourage and pray for the spiritual life of the school community.

The chaplain’s room has a prayer wall that is available to staff and pupils to post their concerns. The chaplain is able to take assemblies, give guidance on the theological perspectives of worship and provide support for the teaching about faith with appropriate resources developed over decades of youth ministry. The chaplain aims to provide a distinct and intermediary role by ‘being around’, ‘joining in’, being ‘approachable’ and a ‘trusted go-between’. The main aims of the chaplain role are…

• Reconciling, guiding and nurturing;
• Pastoral care in practice;
• Unconditional care;
• Personal counselling;
• Personal issues;
• Individual and community bereavement;
• Accompanying on the spiritual journey; and
• Accessing the Spiritual Dimension.

Developing religious intimacy is a key concept in current, secular and multi-faith situation of 21st century Britain. Chaplaincy is a complex role that is committed to the well-being, human flourishing and spiritual development of pupils and wider school community of parents and staff. It is a self-giving ministry that is multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional.