School Lay Chaplain

St Bernard's High School, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7JS

17 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  2 November 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  16 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other support role
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Term time, part time: 20 hours per week, worked flexibly around the school calendar
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: Salary Scale 13 to 17 (£30,023 - £32,045)
• Actual salary: Pro-rata actual salary £13,912 - £14,849

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are looking to appoint a School Chaplain to lead and support the Catholic life and collective worship of our school community. You will need to be proactive and be able to work independently, with excellent time management and organisational skills. Experience in education or youth ministry would be an advantage.

The Chaplain must be a practising Roman Catholic and should have relevant experience or qualification (e.g.Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies).

Key responsibilities:

• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills when engaging with a diverse range of people, showing compassion, approachability, and discretion at all times.
• Offer a listening ear, emotional support, and spiritual guidance to students, staff, and families during challenging and significant moments.
• Lead and support the spiritual and liturgical life of the school by coordinating whole-school Masses, form Masses, liturgies, and prayer services.
• Maintain and care for the school chapel, ensuring it remains a welcoming and reflective space for prayer and worship.
• Plan, co-ordinate, and lead retreats that support students’ spiritual growth, personal development, and reflection.
• Foster strong links between the school and the wider community, including local parish priests, the diocese, and families.

Please complete the School Chaplain application form found under About Us/Vacancies on our website www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk and email it to recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk – please note we do not accept CVs.

What the school offers its staff

St Bernard’s High School is a vibrant Catholic girl’s school from Years 7-11 with a co-educational mixed Sixth Form. Our school is ranked one of the top schools in Southend, and we are in the top 20% of schools across the country for our progress with students and our outcomes. It is a warm and welcoming school where our Catholic values underpin our day to day life.

All new staff are supported within the positive ethos of this happy and high performing school, and to this end all staff complete an applicable induction training programme. The community at St Bernard’s welcome applications from those of all faiths or none.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share in this commitment.

Applying for the job

This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Job Description - School Lay Chaplain.pdf - 760 KB (opens in new tab)

CES National Standards for School Chaplains.pdf - 786 KB (opens in new tab)

About St Bernard's High School

• Organisation type: Academy, Roman Catholic, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• Size: 1001 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: St Bernard's High School website
• Email address: recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk
• Phone number: 01702 343583
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/st-bernard-s-high-school

A Catholic girls' school from Years 7-11 with a co-educational Sixth Form; ranked among the top schools in Southend; a warm welcoming community where students excel academically, personally and spiritually; comprehensive induction and support for all new staff; applications welcomed from teachers of all faiths or none.

Arranging a visit to St Bernard's High School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk.

School location

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