Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide spiritual and pastoral leadership to support students' faith and wellbeing.
- Company: St James's Church of England High School, part of the Bishop Fraser Trust.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, professional development, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on young people's lives through faith-based education.
- Qualifications: Strong Christian faith and experience in chaplaincy or pastoral work.
- Other info: Join a supportive community with clear career progression and inclusive values.
The predicted salary is between 22700 - 25000 £ per year.
St James\’s Church of England High School
School Chaplain
Ref: SCH-TBFT-0139 Status: 23 day(s) remaining
Establishment: St James\’s Church of England High School
Location: St James Church of England High School
Salary: 27248.36 – 30245.31
Department: Chaplaincy
Job Type: Full Time
Key Stage: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4
Closing Date: 03/11/2025 09:00
Interview Date: 07/11/2025
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Type: Permanent
Contract Term: TTO Plus – Term time only plus weeks
Hours per Week: 37.00
Weeks per Year: 52.143
Pay Grade: Bolton | SCP 17 – SCP 23
The Role
Roles and Priority
We are looking to recruit a school chaplain. We are looking for either an ordained chaplain or a lay chaplain. The right candidate will have a strong Christian faith and will be committed to working with young people. This is a varied and fulfilling role, ideal for someone who is passionate about supporting young people, values inclusion, and wants to make a lasting impact in faith-based education.
There are posts at 2 of our schools, please see the application pack for further information.
- St James\’s CE High School, Farnworth, Bolton.
- Bury CE High School, Bury.
We are seeking a passionate candidate who:
- Is committed to supporting the Christian ethos and Anglican foundations of our schools.
- Has a warm, approachable presence and builds positive relationships with students and staff alike.
- Has experience of leading collective worship and/or working with young people in a chaplaincy, ministry or pastoral context.
- Can communicate faith and spirituality in inclusive, creative and accessible ways.
- Brings a proactive and flexible approach, working across two different school communities.
Your main duties would be:
To provide spiritual and pastoral leadership across both schools, supporting the Christian ethos and Anglican foundation of each community. The chaplain will support collective worship, spiritual development, and community engagement, promote the values of each school while helping students and staff explore faith and spirituality in inclusive and relevant ways.
In return, we offer:
- Continuous Professional Development (CPD): Access to National College training, subject-specific CPD, leadership pathways, and mentoring programs.
- Career Progression: Clear pathways for growth, from early careers to leadership roles. We use a ‘touchbase’ informal approach to focus on professional development as well as an annual career conversation with your manager!
- Wellbeing & Support: Leadership training focused on wellbeing, mental health resources, and staff networks.
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI): Commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace, with ongoing EDI training and initiatives.
- Long weekend off in November for teachers and term time support staff!
- Automatic pay progression for teachers – we don’t have performance related appraisals and pay reviews!
- Generous annual leave entitlement of 25 days for all year-round support staff. This increases to 28 days after 5 years!
- A paid premium to a Healthcare Cash Plan to claim back contributions towards dental, optical and other medical costs via UK Healthcare.
- 24/7 access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Amazing benefits and discounts via UK Healthcare.
- Fantastic facilities.
- A lunch allowance for those colleagues volunteering to assist in lunchtime duties or activities.
Application information
For more information visit our website www.st-james.bolton.sch.uk or contact our Business Operations Team on 01204 333000 or by emailing SJ-HR@st-james.bolton.sch.uk
To apply please complete the attached application form via the link
Vacancy details
SCH-TBFT-0139 – SAMpeople Recruit
Please do not send CVs as they will not be considered.
We reserve the right to close the recruitment early should sufficient suitable candidate applications be received.
The Bishop Fraser Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to child protection screening including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and past employment checks. We are an equal opportunities employer. References will be sought prior to interview.
Closing / Shortlisting / Interview Dates
Closing Date: Monday 3rd November 2025 @ 9.00am
Shortlisting: Monday 3rd November 2025
Interviews: Friday 7th November 2025
Safeguarding Information: The Bishop Fraser Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to child protection screening including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and past employment checks. We are an equal opportunities employer. References will be sought prior to interview.
Apply for this role
Submit your application today with our simple application process
St James\’s Church of England High School
At The Bishop Fraser Trust, we aim to recruit outstanding people who have the right attitude.
If you have a love for teaching and are passionate about seeing children succeed, we would love to hear from you! For our part, we will provide excellent development opportunities, leadership training and the time to develop all of this so that you can be the best you can be.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
School Chaplain employer: Bishop Fraser Trust
Contact Detail:
Bishop Fraser Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Chaplain
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research St James's Church of England High School and its values. Understanding their ethos will help you connect during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff members on LinkedIn or through local church communities. They can provide insights about the role and the school culture, which can give you an edge in your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you would support students' spiritual development and promote inclusivity. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident when it’s time to shine in the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the easiest way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at St James's. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace School Chaplain
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for supporting young people and your commitment to the Christian ethos.
Tailor Your Responses: Make sure to tailor your answers to reflect the specific requirements of the School Chaplain role. Highlight your experience in leading collective worship and working with young people, as this will show us you’re a great fit for our schools.
Show Your Commitment: We’re looking for someone who is genuinely committed to making a difference in faith-based education. Use your application to demonstrate how your values align with our mission and how you can contribute to our school communities.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bishop Fraser Trust
✨Know Your Faith
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Christian ethos and Anglican foundations that underpin the role. Be prepared to discuss how your faith influences your approach to working with young people and how you can communicate spirituality in an inclusive way.
✨Build Rapport
Since this role involves working closely with students and staff, practice building rapport. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully connected with young people or colleagues. A warm, approachable presence can make all the difference!
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to share specific examples of your experience leading collective worship or working in a pastoral context. Highlight any creative methods you've used to engage young people in discussions about faith and spirituality.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask during the interview. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the schools. You might want to inquire about their current initiatives in spiritual development or how they support staff wellbeing.