Parent Handbook 2021

Chapel Marlborough was founded as an Anglican school, as a “place of education for the Sons of the Clergy of the Church of England” and Chapel is an important feature of school life.

From the beginning Marlborough has always recruited many pupils who were not the children of clergy and they have been joined by pupils of other Christian denominations and other faiths, as well as those of no faith. It is the place where the College community can openly and freely explore matters of ‘ultimate concern’ for all people, and questions can be asked about faith, spirituality and ethics. Here, our common challenges in this 21st century can be addressed without bias or pressure from any one side.

The Chaplain today takes a ‘light touch’ approach, whereby the Christian faith to which he is totally committed is simply shared with no expectations or demands that anyone join, save that of their own free will.

Chapel Attendance On certain occasions the School meets as a community in Chapel; these include the first and last day of each term, the first Sunday of each term, as well as on Ash Wednesday, when it falls in term time.

Each Sunday there is a morning service at 8.30am and 10.15am and an evening talk at 6.30pm. Pupils in the Shell and Remove attend the 10.15am service. In subsequent years the range of options widens, to affirm the importance of individual choice, while still requiring some commitment. Over the years a custom has developed of parents attending the 10.15am service before taking their son or daughter out for the day and we hope very much that the parents of new pupils will consider doing so when it is appropriate.

Pupils also attend a morning service, in House groups, on one weekday morning each week.

Pupils in the Shell additionally attend a year group service on Wednesday afternoons. There is also a voluntary service of Holy Communion, open to anyone, on Friday mornings at 7.30am in the Crypt Chapel.

Attendance at Other Churches The only pupils excused Chapel attendance are Roman Catholics who choose to attend the service at St Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, at 11.00 am. The Priest is The Reverend John Blacker, 3 Priorsfield, Marlborough SN8 4AQ (01672 513267).

Pupils of other faiths, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish or Buddhist, for example, are advised to contact the Chaplain to see what special provision can be arranged.

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