“My journey to ordination came to life because of this job. Before I started here, I wouldn’t have thought I’d be on this path, but being in this school has made it clear.”
Matt Round has been working as a chaplain at All Saints’ Academy, Cheltenham for over three years. For Matt, becoming a chaplain wasn’t the path that he was expecting to follow – but it has had a significant impact on his sense of calling.
“Before I started at All Saints’ Academy, I was working in full-time ministry at a non-denominational church in Manchester. I knew I wanted to have a job change, and that God was calling me into something else.
“Someone mentioned school chaplaincy. As I looked into it more, it just felt right. It allowed me to jump back into the world, and serve outside of the church setting. God made it quite clear that this is where he wanted me to be.”
Three years on, in September, Matt will begin training for ordination, while continuing part-time at the academy.
“This role sparked my journey to ordination. It opened the door. I’m going to do my training whilst continuing here as a chaplain. I know that this is where I’m meant to be for the next chapter. I’m happy in this role, and I’ve become more open to where God might call me next,” he said.
As a chaplain, Matt’s role goes beyond leading worship and teaching about Christianity; he serves the entire school community, from students and staff to parents, volunteers and local neighbours.
“No day is the same. I’ve got my weekly rhythms, like collective worship and running the Alpha course, but I try to leave my schedule open. I might have a list of things to do, but then ten more things crop up that I wasn’t expecting. It’s a very people-focused role, so I try to be out and about, present during break times, lunch times, and around the school.”
Although Matt doesn’t always see the immediate impact of chaplaincy, he knows that his role is important to the wellbeing of the school community.
“In church ministry, I often saw the fruit of what I was doing. In school chaplaincy, you don’t always get that. You say something and hope it lands, but you might never know. Sometimes I’m reading a Bible story in front of 400 students. Other times, I’m having a one-to-one chat where faith might not be the first thing we talk about. You have to sense what’s helpful in that moment.
It’s not my job to make students believe anything. But I do think it’s my job to make sure they’ve got all the tools and information to make that decision for themselves.
“Whether someone has faith or not, I’m here to support them. It’s about presence, understanding, and care.”
If you would like to look deeper into your calling and reflect on God’s plans for your life, you might find it helpful to connect with your local priest or reach out to the Revd Canon Ann Sargent and her team of vocations advisors.
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