Chaplaincy | Rugby School

The Chaplaincy Team

079 Rugby School and Bilton Grange 10and11th Nov 2025

Reverend Marcus Edwards B.Th., B.E. (Civil)

Father Marcus is Senior Chaplain at Rugby School with oversight of Chaplaincy across the Rugby School Community. Ordained in New Zealand he has previously served as Chaplain in three other schools and was also the Director of Education in the Anglican Archdiocese of Perth with responsibility for the selection and training of Priests for Western Australia. Marcus brings a deep passion for education and spiritual development to his role at Rugby.

Mrs Helen Bryant

Reverend Helen was ordained a deacon in the Church of England on the 28th of June 2026 and is in the Ministerial Formation Program in the Diocese of Coventry. As Chaplain (in formation) at Rugby School, Helen has particular responsibility for chaplaincy at Bilton Grange as well as being a member of the Chaplaincy Team and teaching at Rugby School. Helen is a vibrant pastoral presesnce in the life of the School.

School Chapel

Some of the most special moments at Rugby are when the whole School comes together. Chapel sits at the heart of this - from morning prayers to Sunday services and memorable occasions throughout the year. Chapel offers students and staff time and space for reflection, an opportunity to sign together, always rousingly, and to simply be together as a community in the nearer presence of God.

A well-balanced individual needs a sense of spiritual awareness along with academic achievement and physical ability. The experience of holiness, an understanding of right and wrong, and respect for the worth of each human being and the life of the whole creation; these things are the invisible glue holding our community together. These values are learned in every part of our lives, but the School Chapel and the activities connected with it are a particular focus for our spiritual development.

The Chaplains do their best to get to know the boys and girls by sharing meals, visiting the houses and involving themselves with all the school’s activities. They also share the teaching of the younger pupils, giving them regular contact with the entire F Block.

Gathering in worship

Morning prayers

On Monday and Friday, the school day begins with a ten-minute service for all students – usually consisting of a hymn, a prayer and a short talk. The talk is regularly given by students in House groups. On Wednesday morning the day begins with hymn singing practice and prayer.

Sunday services

Every Sunday there is a chapel service for the whole school, usually in the morning. The aim is to provide an act of Christian worship which allows those attending to move between the roles of observer and participant. Visiting speakers are often invited, having been thoroughly briefed in our requirements for brevity and relevance. Parents are very welcome to come to Sunday services and to join us for coffee afterwards. Special occasions such as the Service of Remembrance and the Carol Services provide life-long memories.

Communion services

There is a weekly voluntary SService of Holy Communion, immediately following the Sunday Morning Service, in the beautiful Memorial Chapel. Between twenty and thirty students regularly attend.

Roman Catholics

We enjoy friendly relationships with St Marie’s parish, whose church is adjacent to the school. A Roman Catholic Mass is offered once every half term by the Parish Priest Father Aji Alphonse. A regular Taizé Service is aalso shared between the School and the Parish.

Faith and Pastoral Care

Visiting

The Chaplains regularly visit the boarding houses to chat to the boys and girls in their common rooms and studies. 99% of these conversations are purely social, but occasionally the conversation leads to more serious or personal matters.

Christian Forum and Bible Study groups

Some students wish to explore the Christian faith more deeply at a personal level. The Chaplaincy Team offer Senior and Junior Bible Study groups, groups for those exploring faith and those preparing for Confirmation. Christian Forum meets weekly for students with a lively Christian faith and those who want to learn more abou the way of life lived with and throguh Jesus Christ.

Other faiths

Members of faiths other than Christian are encouraged to attend worship and instruction within their own faith. This can be arranged for those who require it.

Life at Rugby School

It was great to see Rugbeian Jacob Bethell (W 17-22) back at Rugby School on Sunday for the @metrobankonedaycup watching Warwickshire CCC v Gloucestershire CCC! #RugbySchool #WholePersonWholePoint

Rugby School is pleased to formalise its partnership with @warwickshireccc until the end of the 2028 season. The first of three one-day matches took place at the School on Sunday 2 August, with matches also taking place on Sunday 9 August and Tuesday 11 August 2026. The partnership establishes Rugby School as a recognised strategic partner of Warwickshire CCC, creating a long-term relationship designed to benefit students, players, supporters and the wider cricket community. Head Master Gareth Parker-Jones said: ‘The Close provides an iconic setting for professional cricket, with the matches providing a great opportunity for people in Rugby and the surrounding area to watch top-level cricket. The wide-ranging nature of the partnership means that Rugby School will become an important hub for growing participation in the game, and will continue to provide a route for those who have aspirations to play at the highest level.’ Rugby’s Head of Cricket is Michael Powell, former Warwickshire CCC Captain and England ‘A’ cricketer. The Head of Girls’ Cricket is Adam Pursell, current Staffordshire Performance Coach. Michael Powell, Head of Cricket, former Warwickshire CCC Captain and England ‘A’ cricketer said: “This partnership will provide opportunities for young players across Warwickshire to enjoy our outstanding facilities throughout the winter and during cricket festivals in the summer. By opening our doors to more young cricketers, we hope to support their development, inspire a lifelong love of the game and strengthen the pathway for cricket across the county.” Both our Girls’ and Boys’ 1st XI cricket teams won the U18 National Cup Championships at Lord’s in 2025, the most prestigious prize in UK schools’ cricket. Successful cricketing alumni include Jacob Bethell, who plays for England and became the youngest cricketer in history to captain England’s men’s team; Maia Bouchier, who plays for England’s women; and Amu Surenkumar, who represented England Women U19s. #RugbySchool

This summer, following our 1567 celebrations, Rugby School students spent almost three weeks in Peru, combining community work, outdoor adventure and cultural exploration. The expedition began in Cusco before students travelled to the Huilloc Community in the Sacred Valley, where they spent several days working alongside local people on community-led projects. Tasks included planting trees and crops, clearing waste and making bricks. Living within the community gave students an insight into daily life in rural Peru. They visited a local kindergarten, learned about traditional farming and handicrafts. After the community placement, the group experienced the first of several adventure activities with a day of white-water rafting on the Urubamba River. Students then explored more of the Sacred Valley by bicycle, visiting the agricultural terraces of Moray, the salt pans of Maras and the traditional market at Chinchero. A major highlight of the expedition was the four-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Covering mountain passes, high-altitude campsites and cloud forest trails, the trek challenged students physically while offering spectacular views of the surrounding Andean landscape. Along the route, the group visited Humantay Lake and the Inca site of Llactapata before arriving in Aguas Calientes. The trek culminated with an early morning visit to Machu Picchu. Students explored the famous Inca citadel, learning more about its history and significance while taking in views of the surrounding mountains and terraces. Back in the Sacred Valley, students spent time with the weaving community of Ccaccaccollo, where they learned about traditional textile techniques and natural dyes that have been used for generations. The final stage of the expedition took the group to Lake Titicaca, where they visited the floating reed islands of the Uros people, before travelling to Lima. There, students explored both ancient and colonial landmarks, including Huaca Pucllana and the city’s UNESCO-listed historic centre. #RugbySchool #WholePersonWholePoint #BoardingSchoolOfChoice

Google vs. how we remember it - Rugby School edition! #RugbySchool #WholePersonWholePoint #BoardingSchoolOfChoice