The Chapel and its Chaplaincy sit at the heart of the Haileybury community.
Since the School’s foundation, generations of pupils and staff have gathered here each morning: to pause, to reflect, to sing, and to begin the day together.
At the heart of our Chapel life is Haileybury’s motto, Sursum Corda, lift up your hearts; Chapel is a place of joy, hope and belonging; a moment in the rhythm of a busy school day when we can look beyond ourselves, celebrate together, find stillness when we need it, and lift one another up.
Haileybury is a Christian foundation, and our worship is rooted in the Christian tradition, but Chapel belongs to the whole community. It is a welcoming and nurturing space for pupils, staff, parents and families of all faiths and none, where everyone is invited to take part while being respected for who they are and what they believe.
The Chaplain, an Anglican priest and full-time member of staff, lives on site and shares fully in the everyday life of the School. The Chaplaincy offers a constant source of pastoral care and support, and the Chaplain is available to any member of the community who wants to talk about faith, life, joy, difficulty, or absolutely anything at all.
Above all, Chapel reminds us that amid all the activity of school life, we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Here we gather, we sing, we reflect, we celebrate; we lift up our hearts together.
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Fr Matt Austen has been Chaplain of Haileybury since 2025. Prior to this he served as Chaplain of Christ's Hospital School, and as a Parish Priest in the Diocese of Chelmsford. He trained for Ordination at St Stephen's House, Oxford.
Before Ordination, Fr Matt served for twelve years in the ranks of the British Army, where he served all over the world. He is married to Rachael, and they have three young children. Fr Matt is also an accomplished Jazz musician, playing the Saxophone, Piano and Singing to a professional level.
Fr Matt has a great deal of life experience and enthusiasm, which he brings to his role of Chaplain - a friendly, listening and caring ear is always assured.
For enquires around Baptism, Marriage and Funeral ministry at Haileybury, please contact the Chapel team - [email protected]
