Our Chaplain

Chaplaincy at Balshaw’s

“Many students provided examples of how worship had prompted them to think differently, reflect on their actions or consider the needs and experiences of others. Responses indicate that collective worship contributes positively to pupils' spiritual, moral and personal development.”

  • Balshaw’s Student Voice Report, June 2026

Who am I?

My name is Luke Blakeley, and I have the privilege of being the School Chaplain at Balshaw’s Church of England High School (as well as also being the Youth Pastor at our partner Church, St. Andrew’s Leyland).

I have been a part of the Balshaw’s Community since September 2020 and am excited about all the opportunities we have at our school to think about the biggest and most important things in life! 

“Luke was warm, friendly and easy to talk to. Comforting knowing that there is someone
there who you can always talk to.”

– Former Balshaw’s Student

What is a School Chaplain?

I see myself as able to focus on implementing and seeking to embody our Christian vision: “Gospel values of love, forgiveness, friendship, kindness, truth, patience, respect and humility are the foundations for decisions made in the Balshaw’s family. Our aim: to develop students, of whatever faith or worldview, who reflect Christ’s love within the wider community and society.”

Opening the Bible, we are told in 1 Chronicles 16 to “declare His glory among the nations, His marvellous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods.”

That is what I try to do in our school. To declare the glory of God, to love and support our students – whoever they are and whatever they believe, and to encourage them to think about the biggest things in new and engaging ways so they can grow, develop, and mature in every area of their lives.

“The Chaplaincy enables students to ask their big questions in life, offers a friendly face and a safe space. The Chaplain will listen and is always willing to support students through joys, sadness and struggles.”

– Balshaw’s Parent

What does a School Chaplain do?

I am here to support every staff member and student, whatever their faith or worldview, to feel seen and heard so that they can flourish. Being a Chaplain is a person-focussed ministry, and so a lot of my day-to-day work revolves around being there for both staff and students.

This might look like quiet encouragements in our Chaplaincy, being stopped by a student on the corridor at lunch who wants to ask a question, or simply supporting our staff through the various challenges that teaching – and indeed life – brings.

Most obviously, this is through our Acts of Worship, through relevantly sharing about the Christian faith in RE lessons, through leading sessions and discussions in our ‘Connect’ Friday lunchtime group, and through bringing the school together in services of faith at St Andrew’s Church at significant dates throughout the year.

Acts of Worship

I lead our main acts of collective worship each week; Mondays for Year 11, Tuesdays for Years 9&10, and Thursdays for Years 7&8. These are also supported by further Acts of Worship done in the student’s Houses (Clayton, Cuerden, Worden and Farington).

Over the course of 2025-26, we worked expositionally through the Gospel of John, exploring the claims of Jesus and practically applying the passages to the lives of students, both in and outside school.

This year, as well as key Acts of Worship on each of our Balshavian Christian Values, we will be diving into the very beginning of the Bible, in a new and special series on Genesis 1-12. Our hope is that this will give every student a firm foundation in understanding the Christian faith, the nature and character of God Himself, and a real sense of our place and purpose in this world.

  • Monday – Year 11 Worship
  • Tuesday – Year 9&10 Worship
  • Thursday – Year 7&8 Worship
  • Friday – ‘Connect’ Lunchtime Club

Please select this link below to view a copy of our Worship Curriculum for the 2026-27 Academic Year.

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“Luke's worship sessions are engaging and thought-provoking... he offers a big topic to the year groups and then makes it relevant to the present day… Modern day references such as film clips or an anecdote are regularly employed to enhance the relevance and although the worship has a clear faith reference.

Faith is invited rather than insisted.”

– Mrs Bache, Head of Performing Arts

Luke’s Chaplaincy Highlights of 2025-26

  • Continuing our weekly ‘Connect’ Lunchtime Group, discussing big questions and relevant issues with a diverse group of students (September 2025)
  • Joining with the Archivist Group on a visit to the Lancashire Archives to research former Balshavians, before turning that information into part of our commemorative act of worship for Remembrance Day (November 2025)
  • Our Annual School Carol Services, gathering the school together at St. Andrew’s Church to celebrate Christmas (December 2025)
  • Forming our new Student Worship & Ethos Group and meeting regularly throughout the year (January 2026)
  • Reading a chapter of ‘A Pilgrim’s Progress’ to students at lunchtime as part of ‘World Book Week’ (February 2026)
  • Being joined by Revered Paul Robinson for a student Eucharist Service (March 2026)
  • Aiding our Year 11 RS students in their GCSE revision by bringing them down to St Andrew’s Church and organising for the Reverend Paul Davies to explore the sacraments with them (April 2026)
  • Exploring John’s Gospel on our Worship Journey throughout this year, closing with a special act of worship focussed on John 8:12 – “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (May 2026)

Yours faithfully,
Luke Blakeley,
Balshaw’s Church of England High School Chaplain

Email: l.blakeley@balshaws.org.uk