About The Role
St John’s Wood Church is seeking to appoint a Sunday School Leader to help nurture the faith of our younger members and support them in becoming active participants in the worshipping life of the Church.
Working with the clergy and parent volunteers, the successful applicant will plan and lead our Sunday School during the 11am Parish Eucharist, preparing engaging, age-appropriate sessions which introduce children to the Christian faith through Scripture, prayer, discussion and creative activities. The programme will follow the seasons and festivals of the Church’s year and, where appropriate, reflect the themes of the Sunday lectionary, complementing the worship of the parish.
The role averages approximately 3–4 hours per week, including attendance on Sunday mornings from approximately 10.30am–12.30pm, preparation during the week and occasional liaison with clergy and volunteers. Salary is £100 per week.
This appointment is subject to safer recruitment procedures, including satisfactory references, an Enhanced DBS check and completion of the Church of England’s safeguarding training appropriate to the role.
As the role involves teaching the Christian faith on behalf of the Church, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010 for the postholder to be a practising Christian.
To apply, please send a covering letter and CV to curate.sjw@outlook.com. For an informal conversation about the role, please contact the Associate Priest, the Revd Dr Gary Eaborn, by email in the first instance at the same address.
Applications will be considered as they are received.
The Diocese of London is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults through the use of the Safer Recruitment practice guidance. This role is subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check.
• Plan and prepare the weekly Sunday School session.
• Lead the Sunday School during the Parish Eucharist.
• Introduce children to the Christian faith through Scripture, prayer, discussion and creative activities.
• Prepare teaching which follows the seasons and festivals of the Church’s year and reflects the life and worship of the parish.
• Coordinate the participation of parent volunteers. We would expect there normally to be at least three or four parent volunteers. The Sunday School Leader would not be responsible for recruiting volunteers, but would be expected to direct them and coordinate a rota, likely through a WhatsApp group or similar.
• Meet with the clergy from time to time to plan teaching and review the programme.
• Maintain appropriate attendance records where required.
• Ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures are followed and lead within the church’s commitment to the highest standards of safeguarding.
• Care for teaching materials and recommend additional resources where appropriate.
ESSENTIAL
• A practising Christian.
• An ability to communicate the Christian faith to children in an engaging and accessible way.
• Experience of working with children, whether through church, education, voluntary work or family life.
• Supportive of the vision and values of St John’s Wood Church.
• Willingness to prepare material which follows the Church’s year and the Sunday lectionary in consultation with the clergy.
• Good organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clergy, parents and volunteers, including directing and coordinating a rota of parent volunteers.
• Willingness to lead within the church’s commitment to the highest standards of safeguarding.
• Willingness to undertake all required safeguarding training.
• Eligible for an Enhanced DBS check.
DESIRABLE
• Previous experience of leading a Sunday School or children’s group.
• Familiarity with children’s Christian resources suitable for Anglican worship.
• Experience of coordinating volunteers.
• Musical, artistic or storytelling skills that would enrich the Sunday School.
Equal Opportunities
The Diocese of London is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce which represents our context and wider community. We are aware that those of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME) and disabled people are currently under-represented among our clergy and workforce, and we particularly encourage applications from those with the relevant skills and experience that will increase this representation.