CHAPLAINCY & FAITH

Founded as the choir school of Winchester Cathedral, we are a Church of England school where Christian values form the guiding principles for our values and relationships. All boys are welcome, regardless of cultural backgrounds or faith, and we encourage and  support them to follow their own conscience in matters of religion and faith.

We have a Lay Chaplain who helps to coordinate the faith aspects of the school’s life and who is always available to support boys with these. Winchester Cathedral is our chapel. Several of our services are celebrated in its magnificent nave and Quire, the most  memorable possibly being our carol service which allows us to mark both the end of the Christmas term and the exciting time that is yet to come with family. 

Each week there are three school assemblies, allowing for different focal points and emphases, supported by colleagues from both the cathedral and College chaplaincy teams. We also have a short reflection period at the end of a Thursday. On Sundays, boarders are  able to attend Eucharist in the Cathedral or a religious service elsewhere, with particular provision for Catholic families through Winchester College.

In the Lent term, Senior boys are invited to consider if they would like to be confirmed. The confirmation service is  held in the Cathedral and candidates are supported by the whole school, their families, and friends. As preparation for their confirmation, boys meet weekly to explore the meaning of spirituality and their personal response to their faith with a member of clergy. Confirmation classes are informal and usually involve
chocolate.

Choir School

Charity

Charitable work is of significance because it brings help to people who need it; but also because it reminds us of our humanity and responsibility for our neighbour.  

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Headmaster’s Welcome

I came to Pilgrims’ as a boy. I came back as a teacher, and now I'm very proud to be Headmaster. Like I did, boys arrive not entirely sure of themselves and leave, 9 years later, with a particular kind of confidence. Not the loud kind, not the performed, but the kind that comes from having been genuinely stretched across many different things. That’s what we’re doing here. Not producing specialists. Not selecting for one talent and building everything else around it.

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Admissions

The main points for entry to the school are Reception (4+), Years 3 and 4 (8+/9+). Boys sometimes join other year groups, and at various times in the year, subject to places being available.

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