Eighteen children at a primary school in Devon have been appointed “pupil chaplains” to help to develop worship and reflection among their peers.
The pupils, in Year 6 (aged between ten and 11) at Torre C of E Academy, were commissioned at a service in All Saints’, Torre, recently, by the Vicar, the Revd Peter March.
The pupils had applied to become chaplains during the previous summer term; the recruitment process involved their learning what their responsibilities would include, and how to use theology and Bible stories as pupil chaplains.
The school’s head teacher, Laura Kendall, said: “There were so many great applicants this time, that Father Peter and I felt that we should accept them all; so 18 children are currently chaplains.”
The pupil chaplains have been assigned, in pairs, to be linked to a class throughout the school year. They also help to lead worship at the school.
They have each been given sweatshirts that identify them as chaplains. One of them said: “We are a team, and our jumpers make us stand out so other children know who we are. This means they can come to us for help.”