LCET’s Chaplaincy team work in many Luton secondary schools as pastoral chaplains, with the aim of helping young people to reach their spiritual, moral, social and cultural potential.

Christian work in schools has to fit within educational aims and legal requirements. LCET does this by offering schools support in pupil's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, a core educational aim alongside other competencies in subjects like maths and english. The onus from government is on schools to ensure that pupils develop in these areas and there are formal documents setting out definitions of these terms, including spirituality. Whilst this definition does not coincide exactly with the Christian understanding of spirituality, it does not contradict it. We believe that there is sufficient space for Christians to work in schools with integrity both to their own beliefs and the wider aspirations of education.

We do this by focusing on enabling young people to engage with their spiritual side, helping them to think through what that means in practice and challenging them to explore the Christian faith and way of life.

Our work with young people aims to help them:

1. Develop a vocabulary, helping them to articulate their spiritual questions and belief and to encourage critical thinking skills.

2. Experience a positive example of how important a spiritual life and faith can be.

3. Give them a safe and non-judgmental opportunity to explore the Christian faith.

Each of our pastoral chaplains works in 2 secondary schools offering a wide range of input both in the curriculum and elsewhere in school life, including:

- school assemblies, where our aim is to create a genuine space for young people to explore spiritual ideas and beliefs
- RE lessons, helping young people examine the Christian faith and it's core beliefs. Download a copy of our current lesson summaries here.
- Special services or assemblies, marking a particular event or sometimes a bereavement within the school.
- Advice and support for pupils
- Creating spiritual spaces and chapels within schools
- Running small groups and clubs, meeting in lunchtime or after school.
- Linking schools with local churches and other Christian communities.
- Helping Christian young people develop a healthy world view and example to their peers.

The Chaplaincy team are constantly looking for new and inventive ways of sharing faith with those young people we meet. This year we are piloting ‘Sanctuary’ a new half hour weekly chapel service in our building. This is designed to offer young people a place to come and experience something of our faith and the way we practice first hand. Click here for more details of where and when.

As our work emphasises the importance of contributing to the spiritual life of both pupils and school communities, therapeutic support is now the role of a separate team at LCET (click on the Therapeutic tab to find out more).

Note: Our brochure is available for download but is now out of date and currently being updated. A new brochure will be published later in the year.