Chaplains have been established in some schools for a long period of time. Most private schools have a chaplain as a member of their staff, as do some Church schools.
In state schools, the chaplain is sometimes the local vicar or priest, a minister of another Christian church who has a connection with the school or a Christian schools worker. Sometimes, church leaders nominate a lay person to act as school chaplain. Often the chaplain will play a key role in special services and collective worship.
Whatever the pastoral system operating in a school, suitable additional pastoral support or mediation by well-qualified and gifted church members can make a huge difference to the life of a school. Such support is useful in the day to day pastoral work and also in crisis situations e.g. an accident, the death of a pupil, member of staff or parent or relationship breakdown.
Schools should consider approaching a local church leader to discuss the possibility of chaplaincy or additional pastoral help. Staff also benefit from the possibility of the church providing pastoral support when an external ‘confidential listening ear’ is needed.