Ratcliffe College - Middle School Lay Chaplain (Years 9–11)

Summary

Ratcliffe College is seeking to appoint a committed, compassionate and highly organised Middle School Lay Chaplain to join our pastoral and chaplaincy team.

Detail

The Middle School Lay Chaplain is a full-time non-teaching pastoral role providing day-to-day pastoral and spiritual support for students in Years 9, 10 and 11. Working closely with the pastoral leaders of these year groups, the Lay Chaplain helps ensure that every student in the Middle School is known, supported, challenged and championed as they continue their journey in the Senior School.

The Lay Chaplain provides a visible and approachable presence within the Middle School community, offering early pastoral support to students, acting as a key point of contact for parents and helping to coordinate pastoral care across the Middle School team. Through regular contact with students, tutors and the wider Student Support Services team, the role helps identify emerging concerns and ensures that students receive timely and appropriate support.

Working in partnership with the College Chaplaincy Team, the Lay Chaplain also plays an important role in supporting the Catholic Rosminian mission and charism within the Middle School, helping students to encounter the values of the Gospel through prayer, reflection, service and community life.

The Middle School Lay Chaplain works collaboratively with tutors, teachers and pastoral leaders to ensure that the spiritual, pastoral and academic life of Years 9, 10 and 11 is closely aligned and that students are supported in developing a respectful, responsive and ready attitude to life and learning.

This is a full-time position, working 37.5 hours per week for 36 weeks of the year, to include attendance at all INSET and Staff Meetings. All holidays should be taken outside of the school term and training days.

Key Responsibilities

• Be a driving force of the College’s Catholic Rosminian mission and charism within the Middle School (Years 9, 10 and 11), supporting all Chaplaincy initiatives involving the Middle School, which may include attendance at residential Retreats. This will include supporting the Chaplaincy Team in maintaining on an ongoing basis the evidence documents and folders relating to the Catholic Schools’ Inspection process.
• Provide day-to-day pastoral support for students in Years 9, 10 and 11 Where required, support students in Years 7, 8, 12 and 13 according to the needs of the College.
• Act as a single point of contact for students in Years 9, 10 and 11. Meet with students requiring pastoral support and provide early intervention, supporting the pastoral leaders of these year groups.
• Act as a key point of contact for parents regarding pastoral concerns, meeting with families as required.
• Be a member of the Student Support Services Team and the Senior School Chaplaincy Team and attend Pastoral Meetings as required.
• Contribute to the student Anti-Bullying Committee.
• Maintain accurate pastoral and safeguarding records using CPOMS and the College’s Management Information System (ISAMS).
• Coordinate communication between tutors, subject teachers and pastoral leaders as required.
• Monitor attendance and punctuality patterns and liaise with parents where appropriate.
• Escalate safeguarding or welfare concerns appropriate senior staff.
• Support students in developing organisation, routines and resilience.
• Be a visible and approachable presence for Middle School students, ensuring that the Pastoral Hub or Rosmini Room is always staffed throughout each breaktime and lunchtime.
• Support the hosting of Transition and Induction events.
• Attend Middle School Team Meetings.
• Be willing to undertake professional development to attain appropriate skills to support emotional literacy.

Documents

• Middle School Lay Chaplain (2) PDF Document