Cheltenham College invites applications for the role of Senior Chaplain following fourteen years of first-class service by Reverend Doctor Adam Dunning. The post falls vacant in April 2026, but a September 2026 start will also be considered.

We seek an enthusiastic and well-qualified Anglican priest to lead the chaplaincy team at this outstanding Church of England Day and Boarding School.

The College is a Christian foundation; faith and worship are taken seriously and lie at the heart of College life. While the established spiritual, liturgical and theological atmosphere of the College is liberal catholic, an inclusive diversity of Christian belief and practice is intentionally affirmed.

Teaching an academic subject will be an advantage. Should the Senior Chaplain be a teacher, they would be required to teach a reduced timetable. Religious Studies (referred to internally as ‘Theology, Philosophy and Ethics’), A level Philosophy or other subjects are acceptable. For a non-teaching candidate, there would be additional responsibilities within the College partnership and community work.

Generous accommodation in the form of a four-bedroom house is also available to the Senior Chaplain if required.

Cheltenham College is one of the foremost independent co-educational boarding schools in the country. Educating more than 1,150 pupils aged 3–18 (over 700 in College and 440 in Prep and Nursery), the schools sit in the heart of this culturally vibrant spa town. College provides an exciting education which offers breadth as well as depth. The school promotes genuine personal enquiry and intellectual appetite, nurtures individual talents through the curriculum and co-curriculum and fosters a culture of respect for others. Within its beautiful setting, the school brings together a strong sense of tradition and a culture of innovation, underpinned by a warm, caring and inclusive community spirit.

Unfortunately, we are not in a position to support work-visa sponsorship so are unable to consider applications from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK.

If you have any questions or queries about the role, please feel free to contact the Recruitment Team at recruitment@cheltenhamcollege.org or on 01242 265 670

Application process 

To apply, please forward a completed application form, together with covering letter, electronically, to: recruitment@cheltenhamcollege.org

Closing date: 12.00pm on Wednesday 10 December 2025

Longlist interviews are expected to take place on: Thursday 8^th and Friday 9^th January 2026

Shortlist interviews will take place across two days: Thursday 22^nd and Friday 23^rd January 2026 (overnight accommodation will be arranged for Thursday 22^nd January):

Cheltenham College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

The safeguarding responsibilities of this post are detailed in the candidate information brochure.

Cheltenham College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.