Job Description

Joining Bedford


"Pupils see themselves as part of a cohesive school


community which includes not just staff and current


pupils but former pupils as well. Pupils have enormous


affection for this community of which they are a part."



ISI Inspectorate


Independent Boys' School

of the Year 2021



"Boys are a delight, their trademark being an ability to mix


with any age group with easy, understated confidence."



Good Schools Guide

4 5

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL

4 5

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL



Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07



The Role . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10



Person Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13



Staff Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15



Our Boys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16



Why Bedford? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19



Useful Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

6 7

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford


from the BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL



Head Master

6 7

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL



Head Master I am delighted that you are considering Bedford School, and I hope this booklet provides you with some of the answers to the many questions you will certainly have. I do not doubt that


it will also provoke a few more, many of which you may f ind the answers to on our website


but, if not, please do get in touch, and we will do our best to answer these for you.



I am always very proud to lift the lid on our school, and so it seems f itting for our boys, our staff


and our wider community to share their thoughts of Bedford School with you in the pages that


follow. While we are proud of our buildings, facilities and extensive estate, it is people that


make a community, and ours is one very much shaped by boarding. To have over 200 boys and


40 or so staff living full-time on site gives a heartbeat to the school in a way that nothing else


can. To quote one of our boys featured in this booklet, "You don't learn it. You live it."



I am also pleased to say that our school is full. We have approximately 700 pupils in the Upper


School aged 13 to 18, with roughly 280 in the Sixth Form. Around a third of the boys are boarders


who live in our six boarding houses, each of which is 'twinned' with a day house. Our Prep School,


with 400 boys, caters for the 7 to 13 age group and has its own junior boarding house.


Academic excellence is central to life at Bedford School, and we encourage boys to aspire to the highest


possible standards and exceed their expectations. Our success is demonstrated by a long history of


impressive exam results at GCSE, A-Level, and in the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The vast majority


of our leavers go on to higher education, and each year an impressive 75% of our Upper Sixth boys accept


places at Times Higher Education Top 30 universities, including Oxbridge and clinical courses in medicine


and dentistry. In recent years, we have also seen boys diversifying their applications, with more expressing


an interest in degree-level apprenticeships and attending universities in the USA and Europe and beyond.


We place great emphasis on the value of sport, music and the arts for the camaraderie, teamwork


and self-motivation they instil and encourage boys to explore their individual talents as far as


they can take them. Our extensive cocurricular activities programme is wide-ranging and offers


boys the opportunity to learn new skills and discover new interests outside the classroom.



I invite you to explore our school through the news stories we regularly publish on our website


and on social media; these provide an insight into our boys, their stories and successes and


a strong sense of the enviable community that is Bedford School. Above all, I hope that


it shows boys and staff are happy and successful and, importantly, in that order.

James Hodgson

Head Master

8 9

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL



The Role

Chaplain -

full-time or part-time for September 2025



We are seeking to f ind a new School Chaplain, who will lead the spiritual life of the school and provide


pastoral support to everyone within the school community.



A beautiful Chapel and Christian teaching are central to the ethos of Bedford School; the Chaplain will be at


the heart of the promotion of our school's Christian values, whilst appealing to a diverse community of day


boys and boarders through both curricular and co-curricular avenues.



It is also hoped that the Chaplain will play a wide and deep role in the school, whether that be through a


pastoral and co-curricular remit, or a teaching remit, or both. Applications are encouraged from applicants


with or without teaching experience; and from applicants who would like to be considered for a full-time or


part-time role. Family accommodation is available.



For an informal discussion about the role with Sam Baldock, Vice Master, please contact Annie Kirkaldy,


Head Master's PA on akirkaldy@bedfordschool.org.uk



Suitable candidates may be interviewed before the closing date and Bedford School reserves the right to


withdraw the position if an early appointment is made. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply early.

The Chaplain Role

The school has a Christian foundation and an impressive Chapel, which underwent considerable


refurbishment in 2005, and a new organ will be installed in 2027. There is a f ine choral tradition, which


reflects the musical strength of the school and the successful candidate will be expected to work closely


with the Director of Music in maintaining this tradition. The School community is a diverse one, with many


faiths (and none) represented. That said, the life of the Chapel and the Christian life of the school are


central to its ethos and the successful candidate will be expected to work closely with the Head Master in


maintaining and promoting this aspect of school life.



There are weekly Sunday services in term for the boarding community (a mixture of morning and evening),


weekly chapel Assemblies for the whole Upper School and a number of Chapel Assemblies for the Prep


School during a term. Candidates for confirmation are prepared each year. There are a series of annual


Carol services for various sections of the school community.



Beyond the formal life of the Chapel itself, the successful candidate will be expected to oversee the wider


Christian work within the school. Opportunities for various discussion groups, Bible Studies, voluntary


services etc. are present and it is expected that the Chaplain will take a lead in each. A willingness to be


involved in the Citizenship and General Education programmes (incorporating traditional PSHE but also


a wide range of academic, cultural and social activities) of the school will be a particular advantage. The

8 9

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL



emphasis of the school is on the promotion of values and the encouragement of boys to think deeply about


the world around them and to develop their own views during their time at the school. The Chaplain's


contribution to that ethos is vital.



The Chaplain is centrally important to the pastoral life of the school. All members of the community - day


and boarding, boys, staff, parents and old boys - should feel able to approach the Chaplain for pastoral


support. The Chaplain is particularly important within the boarding community and is expected to be


involved closely with each house, under the guidance of the Senior Boarding Housemaster. The Chaplain


has no formal management role within the pastoral structure beyond membership of the pastoral


committee, but is expected to work closely with the Vice Master and the Prep School Headmaster in the


oversight of boy and staff welfare.



The school takes its commitment to involvement in the local community seriously and it is hoped that the


Chaplain would be willing to help pioneer various elements of outreach work, whether within the school


itself or in conjunction with local churches, schools and other organisations.


Bedford School has no particular historic link with any theological tradition within the Church of England.


The successful candidate will be expected to identify with the ethos and current context of the school as


described above and will work closely with and to the Head Master in all aspects of their role.



We would like our new Chaplain to be able to develop the spiritual thinking of boys and staff, lead


discussions about current ethical or moral issues and be someone who encourages others to ask questions


and live our school values (Responsibility, Curiosity, Endeavour, Integrity; all underpinned by Kindness).


It is anticipated that the Chaplain will contribute to the wider life of the school, potentially through some


classroom teaching; but there is f lexibility in this regard, so applications are encouraged whether or not


you have teaching experience.

10 11

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL

10 11

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL





The Harpur Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people


and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.


Summary of the role



Job Title: Chaplain



Location: De Parys Avenue, Bedford


Job Purpose: To lead the spiritual life of the School community



Reporting Line: Head Master/Vice Master



Hours: Full-time or part-time but the post-holder will be required to work as necessary to complete


the job (subject to the Working Time Regulations 1998).


Salary: School's own salary scale



Main duties and responsibilities


This job description does not form part of the contract of employment and may be varied in accordance with the

demands of the appointment. In addition to the main duties and responsibilities of the Chaplaincy role, it is anticipated

that the successful candidate will play a full role in the life of the school, be that via pastoral care, co-curricular activity,

teaching or a combination of the above.

Your Professional Duties

You are expected to act in accordance with the aims, policies and administrative procedures of the school.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties shall be deemed to be included in the professional duties which you will be required to


perform (this list is not exhaustive):


Responsibility for the life of the Chapel, including its use by external organisations

Off iciating at all school Chapel services and assemblies

Organisation of all Chapel rotas: external preachers (in conjunction with the Head Master), internal
assemblies, readings etc.
Working with the Director of Music to ensure the ef f icient running of all aspects of Chapel life

Annual preparation for all baptism and confirmation candidates

Oversight of all other Christian activities within the school

Supporting the Head Master in the appropriate promotion of Christian values

12 13

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL


Supporting the needs of pupils and staff of other faiths and those of no faith

Visiting all boarding houses on a regular basis

Provision of pastoral support as required to all members of the school community

Specif ic support, alongside the School Counsellor, to any member of the Community, in times of specif ic need
e.g. bereavement, serious illness etc.
Liaising with the Head Master, Vice Master and Prep School Headmaster (amongst others; and as appropriate)
on all matters of pastoral care
Membership of the Pastoral Committee; and of the Chapel Committee

Support, both direct and indirect, for the Citizenship and General Education (PSHCE) programmes of the
school
Organising or taking part in opportunities for boys and staff to discuss topical ethical, moral or spiritual issues

Developing the spiritual well-being of the school in a wide sense (not just religious)

Involvement in appropriate outreach work in the wider community of Bedford

Support, both direct and indirect, for all co-curricular aspects of school life

Attend all training as required and take responsibility for ongoing personal professional development


circumstances


Maintain and develop links with other churches and faith organisations in the local area


Responsibilities may be direct, joint or through devolved structures, but always in accordance with whole school


policies. These details may be amended at any time by agreement but, in any case, will be reviewed through the


appraisal process. You may also be required to undertake such other comparable duties as the Trust requires from


time to time.

12 13

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL



Person Specification

Essential

Desirable

Method of

assessment

These are qualities without which the These are extra qualities which


Applicant could not be appointed can be used to choose between


applicants who meet all of the


essential criteria

Qualifications

Degree or equivalent qualif ication. Other qualif ications relating to young Certificates

people (eg teaching, pastoral etc).



Ordained Minister of the Anglican


Church.

Experience

Previous experience of leading spiritual Experience of working within a Application

worship. school environment, via classroom form and

teaching or elsewhere. references

Experience of pastoral responsibility.



Experience in the needs of boarders.

Experience of leading discussion groups


or similar.



Experience of working with children of


all ages.

Skills and

Knowledge of current best practice and Budget management. Application

Knowledge

topical issues. form, references

Any range of skills and knowledge and interview

Capable organiser, planner and which facilitate a full contribution to


administrator. the wider cocurricular or academic


life of the school, e.g. by offering


Ability to form effective working academic (or other) teaching in any


relationships with a wide range of diverse subject of fered by Bedford School,


stakeholders including staff, pupils and with appropriate support and


parents. training as required.

14 15

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL

Personal

Personal and approachable. Interview,

competencies

observed lesson

and qualities

Able to inspire others and provoke and references



thought.



Empathetic and sensitive to the needs of


others.



Able to encourage others to question


their perceptions and think deeply about


spiritual issues.



Ef fective communicator to all ages and


group sizes.



Sensitivity to those of all religious faiths


or none.



Ability to exercise appropriate


confidentiality.



Highest standard of integrity and hard


work.

14 15

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL



Staff Benefits

Bedford School has high expectations of its staff and therefore looks to reward them with generous salaries


and beneficial conditions of service. Teaching staff are enrolled in a very generous pension scheme and have


longer holidays than the maintained sector. Class sizes are small (maximum of 14 at Sixth Form and 24 at


GCSE).




We believe we have a responsibility to keenly and pro-actively support all of our staff in their development


and to make this an outstanding place to work. Each member of staff has a voice on professional matters


via the Common Room Chair and a variety of staff run initiatives, and the Head Master has daily open-door


sessions for staff (and pupils). A wide range of opportunities for professional development exist and staff


are encouraged to further their skills and consider career options at all levels. There is a generous budget


to support continued development and learning for our teachers. There are also bursaries available for


staff who wish to travel in order to develop their subject specif ic knowledge or understanding of dif ferent


educational contexts. We fully fund and support teachers in qualifying through PGCEs and the assessment


only route to qualif ied teacher status. In a recent quality assurance visit, we were considered to be a school


offering best practice induction to early career teachers (ECTs). There is ample opportunity to take on


additional responsibilities here at Bedford School.


The school is set in beautiful grounds within a 50-acre site on the edge of a busy town centre that is well


connected to London, Milton Keynes and Cambridge in particular. Staff are welcome to make use of the


extensive leisure and sporting facilities on the site (which includes gym, swimming pool, tennis courts,


squash courts etc.) for themselves and their immediate family.



The school has an incredibly friendly Common Room that provides support and puts on a variety of social


events. Staff can also join a private health care scheme which includes an annual allowance towards health


care costs (e.g. dental and optical expenses), money for other therapies and access to gym and shopping


discounts. An employee assistance programme is also available to everyone within the school, which


includes access to a free well-being app. Our staff receive free lunches, which are provided by our national


award-winning catering team, refreshments during the day and can expect free on-site parking.



Bedford is a dynamic and incredibly rewarding place to work with a strong sense of community. We very


much hope that you will want to come and f ind out more about us.

16 17

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL



In their own words. Our boys.


"There's just bound to be something

for everyone to enjoy."



From playing the cactus (a non-speaking


part) in Double or Nothing to Oliver in Oliver


Twist, Oliver has progressed. Progression,


through coaching in sport (hockey is his


favourite, but he also plays tennis and is a


keen runner), in academic subjects, and via


the hobbies nurtured in clubs, is at the heart


of the school. Getting better at things.



Oliver, day boy, Year 5, actor, academic


"It is simply easier

to become good."



Ben says he takes a lot of responsibility


for his own learning and that the


resources here, the labs, library and


support from teachers mean that you can


make as much progress as you want, as


fast as you want. He likes vertical tutor


groups - "not only do you get to know


older boys, but you see what they have


to contend with, and once you know


it, you are no longer worried by it".



Ben, day boy, Year 9, scientist, linguist

16 17

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL



Anhad, Vivaan and Kabir are three brothers from India, all in the same boarding house - Phillpotts.



They say life here is full of changes of pace and atmosphere, which is helpful and healthy. Indeed,


balance is a theme they all pursue, saying that the mix of freedom to do as they please with the


compulsory aspects of life in school and in the boarding house makes for a happy equilibrium.



Talking of boarding, all three agree that via the boarding house you get


the most complete version of the school ethos. As they say,


"You don't learn it. You live it."



Kabir, Vivaan and Anhad, boarders, brothers, scientists, sportsmen

18 19

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL



Kayde is a sports scholar, identif ied


through the Northampton Saints Academy,


and also an accomplished academic.



He feels one of the major advantages


of Bedford School is that life is so busy


that you learn to manage your time.


He also can't believe the number of


completely dif ferent people from


completely dif ferent cultures he has met


and who have become his f irm friends.



A big, smiling man with a big future.



Kayde, day boy, Year 13, sportsman


"Because it's about knowledge,

not about privilege."



Alfie started the Italian Club. He is also in the


Head Master's Ancient Greek Club. He is going


to have a shot at studying classics at Oxford. His


love of classics however goes much further.



He introduces Year 4s to Latin at a local primary


school. Apparently, some of the teachers


there attend as well because they have had no


exposure to Latin. "The pupils and staff are in


the same boat, in eadem nave, and it is fun and


rewarding - for them I hope, and also for me."



Alfie, day boy, Year 12, classicist, sportsman

18 19

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL



Why Bedford? From our staff.


"'I have found that the values that

the school claims to instil in its students

are lived and breathed by staff and

students alike."



"The part of the (PGCE) course that catalysed my


progress the most was the regular meetings with my


school mentor, which allowed me the space to air


concerns, to receive thorough and constructive feedback


and to discuss pedagogical readings. I can't imagine


that the experience would have been as fulf illing or as


instructive without such considered support."



Miss Hanna Bassa, Teacher of English

Pemberley Assistant Housemaster,

Eckersley Society staff lead

20 21

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL


"As a member of the support

staff, I feel that my role is

valued and seen as important

in the boys' educational

journey."



"There is a great sense of community at


Bedford School. You genuinely feel an


integral part of the team, which builds


staff motivation and commitment."


Ms Yolanda Larrier,

PA to the Director of Finance

and Operations


"When boys and their families join

the school, they do so for life, with a

community that is there to help and

support far beyond the school gates."

"Having been involved with the school


throughout my life, it has given me a unique


perspective on the collegiate effort that parents,


teachers, support staff and Old Bedfordians


perform to ensure that today's pupils are fully


equipped to face the challenges of a rapidly


changing world."


Mr Hugh Maltby,


Director Bedford School Association

20 21

Joining Bedford Joining Bedford



BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL



Useful Links

Bedford School website

The Harpur Trust

Our Application Procedure

ISI Inspection Report

Good Schools Guide Review - Bedford Prep School

Good Schools Guide Review - Bedford School

News Stories

Bedford School Film

Facebook

Instagram

X (Twitter)

Bedford School,

De Parys Avenue, Bedford, MK40 2TU

+44 (0)1234 362200 info@bedfordschool.org.uk


bedfordschool.org.uk



Bedford School is part of The Harpur Trust: a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England: Company No. 3475202.

Registered Of f ice: Pilgrim Centre, Brickhill Drive, Bedford, MK41 7PZ. Registered Charity No. 1066861