Chaplaincy Assistant (Prep Schools)
Full-time | Wimborne, Dorset | Fixed-term (3 years) | Accommodation provided
Are you considering a vocation in ministry, education, or pastoral leadership? Do you want to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people while developing your own skills?
We are seeking an exceptional and motivated Chaplaincy Assistant to help lead and grow an exciting outreach ministry across our local prep schools, working as part of the chaplaincy team at Canford.
This is a unique opportunity to engage with young people’s spiritual curiosity, accompany them as they wrestle with life’s big questions, and help foster a culture of compassion, reflection, and belonging across our school community. We recognise that schools include pupils of all faiths, spiritualities, and beliefs, and we seek to support each individual with sensitivity and respect.
What will the role involve?
- Take the lead in pioneering chaplaincy in two local prep schools
- Build meaningful relationships with pupils, staff and families
- Lead engaging, age-appropriate worship and reflection
- Offer pastoral support to children exploring life’s big questions and matters of faith
- Be fully immersed in school life, from classrooms to co-curricular activities
Who are we looking for?
- A committed Christian with a genuine and lived faith
- Warm, relational, and confident engaging with young people
- Curious, reflective, and able to communicate faith in an accessible and inspiring way
- Organised, adaptable, and excited by building something new
- Interested in a future in ministry, teaching, or pastoral career
You do not need to be ordained. Experience working with young people (in schools, churches or youth work) is highly desirable. The role also involves contributing to the school’s broader co-curricular programme; experience in areas such as sports, STEM, or the performing arts would be beneficial.
What will you gain from this role?
This role has been designed as a formational stepping stone. Over the three years, you will ideally gain:
- Significant experience in school chaplaincy and pastoral care
- Opportunities to teach, lead and contribute to wider school life
- Mentoring and support as a discern your future pathway
- A strong foundation for routes into ordained or lay ministry, teaching training, youth and children’s work or wider pastoral and education roles.
In return we offer:
- A competitive salary of £27,500 per year
- Term time only working
- Accommodation provided at Canford School
- Full participation in our dynamic and supportive school community
For further information please contact the HR Team on 01202 847590 / recruitment@canford.com
Closing date: Sunday 12th April 2026
Early applications are very much encouraged. We will review and shortlist candidates on an ongoing basis and may close the vacancy once the right candidate has been identified. Candidates are therefore advised to submit their applications promptly to avoid disappointment.
OVERALL PURPOSE
The Chaplaincy Assistant will provide evangelical ministry and pastoral care to pupils, teaching & support staff, serving the whole community inclusively and sensitively. They will help further shape a culture of reflection, compassion, service and moral purpose, contributing to the holistic development of pupils and the wellbeing of staff. To this end, they will participate fully in the academic and co-curricular life of the schools.
PERSONAL QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED
Spiritual Leadership & Worship
- Be a spiritual leader and role model within the school community
- Lead age-appropriate Christian assemblies, working with prep school staff, to support the spiritual development of the pupils
- Support major events and festivals in the school calendar (e.g. Christmas, Easter and Remembrance)
- Provide opportunities for pupils to voluntarily explore questions of faith, including Bible studies, clubs and other activities
- Encourage, connect with and support Christian staff and parents
Pastoral Care
- Support the prep schools’ pastoral teams, offering support to pupils and staff, confidential listening and spiritual guidance.
- Be a visible and accessible presence in the schools, available for informal and formal conversations with pupils across all age groups.
- Support pupils experiencing bereavement, crisis, anxiety or personal challenge.
- Work closely with prep school safeguarding leads and wellbeing teams.
Community & Inclusivity
- Serve the whole School community, respecting diversity of faith and belief.
- Foster an inclusive and welcoming chaplaincy environment.
- Support interfaith understanding and dialogue where appropriate.
- Seek ways to promote community cohesion
Teaching & Formation
- Contribute to teaching in any academic area as appropriate to skills and timetable needs.
- Support pupil leadership in service, charity initiatives and social action projects.
- Encourage moral reflection, ethical discussion and community engagement.
Collaboration & Teamwork
- Split time across local prep schools, with the rest of the time at Canford, working closely with the chaplaincy team for support and encouragement, as well as assisting with chaplaincy work here.
- Participate fully in School life, including in the co-curricular life of the school as appropriate to personal skills and experience
- Foster positive relations between Canford and the prep schools, ensuring continuity of spiritual teaching and practices.
- Work closely with senior leadership in each prep school to ensure continuity of ethos and values, whilst understanding the contextual nuances of each school.
Administration & Organisation
- Assist in planning and coordinating the chaplaincy calendar across the schools
- Maintain appropriate records of chaplaincy activities (in line with safeguarding and confidentiality requirements).
- Contribute to communications regarding chaplaincy events and initiatives.
Safeguarding
The Prep School Chaplaincy Assistant will be fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The postholder must adhere to the School’s safeguarding policies and procedures at all times and undertake required safeguarding training.
Canford School is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our Community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Those selected for interviews will be required to provide a Safe to Receive reference from their faith leader. All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening.
