School chaplaincy is at the heart of supporting the spiritual, pastoral and relational life of a school community. Chaplains work alongside pupils, staff, governors and families, offering a compassionate presence that reflects the Christian foundation of the school while welcoming and valuing people of all faiths and none.
A school chaplain is someone who listens, encourages and accompanies others through the joys and challenges of school life. They help create spaces where questions of meaning, purpose, hope and identity can be explored with openness and respect. Through building trusted relationships, chaplains contribute to the wellbeing of the whole school community, helping individuals to flourish academically, emotionally, spiritually and socially.
Chaplaincy is expressed in many different ways depending on the context of each school. This may include leading worship, supporting prayer and reflection, providing pastoral care, mentoring pupils, engaging with staff wellbeing, accompanying families through times of celebration and difficulty, supporting the school's Christian vision and values, and strengthening links between schools, churches and the wider community.
Across the Oxford Diocese, school chaplaincy is recognised as a distinctive ministry that enriches school life and strengthens the Christian character of Church schools. Whether undertaken by ordained ministers, licensed lay chaplains, youth workers, school staff or volunteers, chaplaincy is rooted in presence, service and hope. Chaplains seek to be a visible reminder of God's love, helping every member of the school community know that they are valued, heard and encouraged to become the person they are created to be.
ODBE is committed to supporting and developing school chaplaincy through training, networking, resources and opportunities for collaboration, enabling chaplains to grow in confidence, share good practice and sustain this vital ministry across our schools. The current school chaplains meet at encouragement meetings four times a year, two in person and two online meetings. We also offer weekly, online Morning Prayer sessions to connect and support.
For more information about chaplaincy from The National Society/Growing Faith Foundation: https://www.nse.org.uk/growing-faith-foundation/chaplaincy
For more information about courses for chaplaincy training at Waverley Abbey: https://www.waverleyabbeycollege.ac.uk/courses/chaplaincy
The Development Fund invites grant applications from parishes, benefices, deaneries and chaplaincies in the Diocese of Oxford to support local projects that are missionally creative, reflect where God is at work in the community, and encourage wider learning across the diocese.
For more information on applying for funding: https://www.oxford.anglican.org/parish-support/parish-finance/development-fund/
Contact
Janine Coaker Chaplaincy and Collective Worship Adviser
email Janine Coaker