Winchester College offers the right candidate the exciting opportunity to join a special and unique setting at the heart of this historic foundation. Following the recent appointment of the previous incumbent to a chaplaincy role in the Armed Forces, the College seeks to appoint a new College Chaplain to work with the Dean of Chapel and other chaplains in further development of the spiritual and pastoral ministry to the whole school community.

THE ROLE
The College seeks to appoint an Anglican priest to the role of College Chaplain to the pupils, staff and wider community of Winchester College, starting in September 2025.

The successful candidate must be an ordained priest in full communion with the Church of England. They will take a full pastoral, liturgical and catechetical role within the chaplaincy team, and will work together in planning, organising and leading school worship, assisting in the pastoral and spiritual care of pupils and staff. Essential to the role will be a profound pastoral commitment, with the passion, faith and stamina to minister in good times and bad to a large community of 750 pupils and several hundred staff.

The Chaplaincy team comprises the Dean of Chapel, College and Lay Chaplains, a College Curate (who is also a Housemaster) and a Sacristan. A new Dean of Chapel will take up his post in September 2025, at a time when the College is engaged in an expansion programme. The arrival of girl boarders within an expanded College community, scheduled for September 2026, heralds a new phase in Winchester’s commitment to the formation and education of young people. The College Chaplain, as part of the wider team will play an instrumental part in the implementation of the College’s mission and aim, with much scope for developing the use of space and time for worship, as well as the pastoral and sacramental counsel offered to the community.

HOW TO APPLY
Only applications completed on the school website will be accepted.

Please see full job description by clicking the 'apply for this job' button below.

Please attach a full CV (including comprehensive details of key achievements and responsibilities) with your application.

Please note that applications will be dealt with as they arrive. Winchester College reserves the right to appoint before the deadline passes.

If you have any questions about this vacancy or the recruitment process or wish to have an informal conversation about this role, please email recruitment@wincoll.ac.uk.

Closing date: 3 March 2025

KEY SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

Life at Winchester is busy, rich and varied. The opportunities and challenges that come from investment in our full-boarding school are exciting and immensely rewarding. The College is proud of its Christian foundation and heritage, which underpins the school’s commitment to happiness, good order and a spirit of fellowship. The centrality of Chapel, being the only place that all pupils visit each week, is clear to see. We seek to build a Chaplaincy team that recognises this importance and responsibility and whose members can bring experience and skills to inspire and motivate our community.

PREACHING

The regular and full schedule of services means that opportunities to speak in Chapel and at other times come frequently. We are seeking to appoint colleagues who can deliver sermons and talks that captivate and inspire a diverse audience, ranging from young teenagers to staff, parents and, on occasion, alumni and visitors. The addresses should be thoughtful, rooted in biblical scripture, and engaging, tailored in length and depth to resonate with the different groups within our community.

CHARACTER

The Chaplains set a tone of how to live within a Christian tradition, not only through preaching but also by being actively involved in school life. True to the Founder’s motto, rooted in the founder’s motto ‘Manners Makyth Man’, the ideal candidate will be immersed in the daily activities of the school, setting a visible example of Christian values. It is important that the candidate maintains their own regular pattern of personal devotion, reflecting a deep and personal commitment to their faith.

TRADITION

In establishing the school, it was William of Wykeham’s intention that “Christ may be more fervently and frequently preached, and faith and the worship of God's name increased and more firmly maintained.” Today, whilst remaining true to our origins, we welcome pupils and staff from a variety of faiths and beliefs. Winchester College. We are grounded in traditional Anglican worship and structured liturgy, so the candidate should be comfortable and capable of working within this tradition. However, we wish to build a team that welcomes, encourages and leads different practices. The ability to collaborate across the full spectrum of churchmanship and tradition is essential, ensuring inclusivity and respect for diverse worship practices.

WHOLE-SCHOOL LIFE

As part of our boarding community, the candidate must be regularly present in boarding houses and at school events, embracing the 24/7 nature of school life. Their active participation in all aspects of school life underscores the centrality of Christian life and tradition within our institution, in accordance with our foundational principles inspired by William of Wykeham.

This position is integral to maintaining and nurturing the Christian ethos at the heart of our school, requiring a dedicated and passionate individual committed to the spiritual and moral development of our community.