Creative Schools Missioner - Christ Church, Yardley Wood in Birmingham

Creative Schools Missioner for a Flourish Project at Christ Church Secondary Academy.

FLOURISH is a developing network of worshipping communities in schools/FE colleges and offers the Church of England the opportunity for a significant step change in our engagement with children, young people and their families. By connecting through our largest network of relationships in education, we have the opportunity to imagine thousands of new, younger and more diverse disciples. This vision seeks to build worshipping communities in schools/college rather than seeing them as education settings and a potential gateway towards Sunday attendance. The vision will deepen the church’s mission in education through the development of new worshipping communities in schools/FE as the communities will connect with thousands of young people and their families who presently do not attend church of any denomination.

FLOURISH worshipping communities are underpinned by these five core principles:

• Young people’s voices are instinctively at the centre of all leadership decision-making and implementation.
• Clearly articulated and shared purpose to grow a younger and more diverse community of Christian disciples.
• Strategic leadership partnership between school/college and at least one church community (with appropriate long-term governance and resource commitment).
• Intergenerational faith development experiences involving children and their families of all ages.
• Worship that is fully integrated into the regular rhythms, practices, structures and resources of the school/college’s vision for flourishing of children and adults.

Christ Church Secondary Academy is located next to Christ Church. Christ Church began in 1849 to serve the community of Yardley Wood; Christ Church Secondary Academy opened to the community in 2021. Yardley Wood is located in the southwest of Birmingham. They serve a parish with a population of 11,130 with 19% of the parish being under the age of 20. The parish community is in the top 10% of deprived urban parishes with many social issues and over 28% of children experience poverty issues with lower but similar poverty levels for working age and pensioners. The ethnic makeup of the area is changing rapidly; multiple languages and faiths are represented in the school. The church in 2024 had an average weekly attendance of 45 people.

The church school partnership is strong with the Incumbent serving as school chaplain for a third of her time. Some staff members attend the church for worship, and a number of congregants have relatives in the school. We are now ready to take the next stage in our church school relationship, with funding from the National Church and in line with the Flourish principles, our desire is to see students thrive and lead in this new community, empowered to become leaders within and beyond worship.

We are looking for a creative, open-minded person with gifts and passion to engage students, staff and their families in the Christian faith. In collaboration with the clergy and volunteers, they will help Christ Church grow a worshipping community that arises out of the desires, gifts and cultures of our school and its local area. With support from Church and Diocese, they will develop ways that people with limited or no experience of “church” can encounter Jesus Christ and grow into discipleship. This is an opportunity for anyone with a passion for young people’s mission and would like to use their creative gifts to see a new Christian community developed in its local context. It could suit a person who is interested in using their creative gifts in a new setting and/or is exploring a call to Christian ministry.

The postholder will:

• Plan, nurture and grow a new worshipping community in an outer city estate, multi-faith secondary academy school.
• Develop creative approaches to engage students, staff and their families in the Christian faith.
• Provide intergenerational creative worship and learning experiences for students, staff and their families.
• Identify, equip and encourage volunteers (students and adults) to sustain the new worshipping community.
• Work closely with the Vicar/chaplain to create pathways for growth in discipleship, bringing students and adults to faith in Christ.
• Work closely with key leaders across both church and school to develop the new community; engage key stakeholders such as trustees, parents/guardians and partner organisations.
• Regularly engage with the PCC, congregation and report back on progress.
• Strengthen the church-school partnership for example by linking new worship events with the established congregation.
• Meet regularly for supervision and reflection with the Vicar.
• Report on progress and reflect with funders, stakeholders and the wider church.
• Contribute to parish, deanery and diocesan life in other ways as agreed with the Vicar.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Demonstrable lively Christian faith.
• Demonstrable understanding of and commitment to mission and evangelism and an understanding of the variety of churchmanship.
• A passion for reaching out to new people.
• Experience of community engagement in church or another context.
• An emotionally strong individual who is self-aware and grounded in faith.
• Able to demonstrate practices to promote good mental health.
• Understanding of challenges faced when working with people from diverse social, emotional and faith backgrounds.
• Experience of working with people with varying life experiences.
• Demonstrable pastoral skills with young people and adults.
• Skills in supporting students with their emotional, social and mental health needs.
• Experience of building and leading teams of volunteers within church.
• Experience of working to build community.
• Experience of recruiting and supporting new volunteers.
• Experience of work in an education setting.
• Demonstrable ability in a creative context.
• Experience of using creative approaches in a faith/mission setting.
• A strategic thinker who can deploy teams and individuals in a way that maximises what can be achieved.
• Experience of leadership in mission.
• A willingness to engage well with students and families.
• Experience working with under 18s in a school or community setting.
• Good written, verbal and communication skills.
• Experience of using print publicity and social media.
• A commitment to uphold current safeguarding legislation and best practice.
• Willingness to participate in worship at Christ Church at least one Sunday per half term.
• Supportive of the Church of England and willingness to work within its frameworks.
• A willingness to learn from the Flourish project, to take risks and learn from challenges and failures.

There is an occupational requirement for the postholder to be a practising Christian. We welcome applications from any individuals who feel that they meet the person specification for any post.

The PCC of Christ Church Yardley Wood is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Part-time 21 hours per week for a fixed term of 5 years (subject to funding) with working pattern to be agreed with successful candidate.
• Salary £17,380.
• Pension contribution.
• The posts are subject to a DBS disclosure and satisfactory references.
• The employer is The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Christ Church Yardley Wood (“The PCC”).
• Working in close collaboration with the Chaplain.
• Reporting to The Vicar.
• This is a development post, and the PCC is committed to funded training and vocational opportunities for the post holder.

Closing date for applications: Saturday 4th July 2026.

Interviews to be held: Wednesday 8th July 2026 at Christ Church Secondary Academy.