In 2013, we launched a lay Chaplaincy provision in local secondary schools as a direct result of schools requesting a deeper, more regular presence. This has evolved over the past few years across a number of different schools across Salisbury. 2021 was a big year for us, for two reasons: Firstly, we welcomed Rob Jackson onto the Bridge team as our very first Primary School Chaplain. Rob does amazing work across 4 DSAT (Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust) schools in the north of the county: in Devizes, Royal Wootton Bassett and Calne as part of a 3 year pilot (please see the document below). Secondly, 2021 was a year of change as we deepened our offer of chaplaincy to secondary schools through the provision of more distinctive work across two spheres; mental health & wellbeing and spiritual development. In late 2021/early 2022 we conducted a consultation with 8 primary school head teachers, where it became instantly clear that chaplaincy provision was also needed. As a result, we made the exciting decision to launch a primary chaplaincy pilot in Salisbury schools too and in September 2022 we will be providing a Bridge Chaplain to 3 primary schools; Pembroke Park, Winterbourne Earls and Alderbury & West Grimstead Primary School. 

We now look ahead to September 2022 as a hugely exciting period where we hope to bring together and develop this emerging offer of chaplaincy across both primary and secondary schools into one overall pilot. As of June 2022, we are recruiting for a Chaplaincy Lead- someone who will really help to shape and embed this overall chaplaincy pilot at this very exciting stage in its journey. We are also thrilled to be recruiting another Bridge Chaplain who will join the team and work in 2 local secondary schools. 

All in all, we are excited to be reimagining chaplaincy within schools and seeing where God takes us!