Lay Chaplain
Required 1 September 2025
• Grade: BB06 (Salary Point 20-24)
• FTE Salary: £31,586 - £34,314, Actual Salary: £27,121 - £29,464 (pay award pending)
• Working pattern: 37 hours per week, Term time + 5 days
The Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle and St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Lay Chaplain to support the faith life of the school and play a key role in fostering our Catholic ethos.
Applications are invited from practising and committed Catholics for the role of Lay Chaplain at St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy. Applicants should have a deep understanding of the Catholic faith and its role in education, and ensure through their own experiences and beliefs, that the school is distinctively Catholic in all it’s aspects.
St Benet Biscop believe that every member of our community has God given gifts and talents, and we see it as our responsibility to ensure that these talents are nurtured, and that everybody will flourish during their time with us. It is important to us that our students have a full and rounded spiritual and educational experience, with many opportunities to experience awe and wonder in the world, and to develop personally and morally on their spiritual journey. This leads to a sense of belonging in our school community, that students feel like they have significance and value, and that as a student body, they are all equal.
The development of values shapes our student's character; to live a full life responding to Gods calling and living out these values in positive daily actions through stewardship, this expands beyond school and the local community. It allows our students to be the person God intended them to be, contributing to the common good and society. We would invite you to be part of this journey.
St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy is a vibrant Catholic secondary school, committed to nurturing the spiritual, moral and academic development of every student. It is a popular and oversubscribed school which is highly regarded within the community and we offer a high-quality education in a Catholic / Christian environment. St Benet Biscop is part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust; a large trust consisting of 39 schools. The school has good public transport links into Newcastle Upon Tyne and the surrounding local area.
This is an exciting time to join St Benet Biscop. It is a great place to work and provides excellent job satisfaction. It is a very happy school with an open, supportive and positive working environment. In our recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2023, we were graded as “good” in all areas. Ofsted highlighted:
• “There is a strong sense of community at St Benet Biscop.”
• “Pupils get along well with each other and with the staff.”
• “Lessons proceed calmly, and pupils engage well with their learning.”
• “Staff say senior leaders consider their workload and listen to their views.”
• “Staff at the school have a good understanding of safeguarding because they are well trained.”
This is a fantastic opportunity to join our school community and we are looking for an energetic individual, with a passion for working with young people and helping them grow in faith. Applicants should clearly indicate in their supporting statement what they could bring to this role in terms of experience.
An excellent benefits package is offered including the following:
• A competitive salary
• 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 29 days’ annual leave after 5 years’ service
• Access to training and support
• Enhanced sick pay of up to 26 weeks full pay (after qualifying period)
• Eligible to be part of the Local Government pension scheme (current employer contribution rate of 18.1%).
• Family friendly BBCET policies and practices that promote health and wellbeing
• Access to car lease, bike to work and local travel pass salary sacrifice scheme
If you would like to have an informal discussion about the role or a tour of the school prior to applying, please contact the school's HR department.
Closing date for applications: by noon Wednesday 18th June 2025
We encourage all interested applicants to submit their applications promptly as we reserve the right to appoint in advance of the closing date.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced disclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service and additional recruitment checks.
St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
In accordance with the safeguarding vulnerable groups’ regime [2006] & the relevant Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) DfE guidance, any offer of employment made will be conditional upon the results of checks from the Disclosure & Barring Service (“the DBS”) and Teacher Services (regarding teacher prohibition/disqualification from working with children and young people).
School roles give privileged access to vulnerable groups, therefore, we require all applicants attending interview to disclose all spent convictions and cautions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 unless it is a “protected” conviction/caution under the amendments made to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 (in 2013) and, therefore, not subject to disclosure.