Careers - Ampleforth Abbey and College

Ampleforth Abbey

Situated in over 2,000 acres of its own land, in the foothills of the North York Moors, Ampleforth Abbey was founded by Benedictine monks in 1802. The Ampleforth valley, as it is affectionately known, is a thriving tourist destination with one of the largest commercial orchards in the North of England, a Visitor Centre telling the history of Ampleforth, the Ampleforth Abbey Tea Room and Abbey Shop. Our site also boasts a full-equipped Sports Centre providing city-standard facilities in the most uplifting setting. We offer a variety of career opportunities and hope you will enjoy learning more about us.

Why Ampleforth

Current Vacancies

Staff Testimonials

Amy Hudson
Food & Events Team Leader
Amy joined the Food and Events Team at Ampleforth in 2017 havig built up 10 years of experience in the Hospitality sector. She is in the role of Team Leader.
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Dale Burn
Trainee Chef
Dale came to Ampleforth in 2012 as a Food and Events team member with an NVQ Level 2 in Hospitality, he is now in the position of Trainee Chef and working towards his NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery.

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Our History

1802
Monastery founded at Ampleforth
The English Benedictines had been dissolved by Henry VIII in the 1530s and by 1607 only one of the Westminster monks was left alive – Fr Sigebert Buckley. He professed a group of English monks in France, and so passed onto them the rights and privileges of the ancient English Benedictine Congregation. In 1792 the monks were expelled from France as part of the violence associated with the French Revolution. They settled in Ampleforth Lodge in 1802 and in the following year (1803) the new monastery school was opened.
1803
Ampleforth College founded
The school had been an important feature of life in France: English Catholics had sent their boys to France to be educated during penal times, and many of these boys had become monks and priests. This close relationship was to continue when the monks returned to England. During the next century the monks continued to work in the college, which then had about 70 boys. The college was to grow in size and reputation, becoming the world's foremost catholic boarding school.
1897
St Benet's Hall, Oxford established
St Benet's Hall is a permanent, private hall of the University of Oxford. Established in 1897 by Ampleforth Abbey, it is a Benedictine foundation whose principal historic function was to allow its monks to be able to study for secular degrees at the University. Today, most members of the Hall are not monks, but lay undergraduates and graduates. The hall, which is still owned by Ampleforth Abbey, has a Benedictine and Roman Catholic ethos.
1929
Ampleforth gained Gilling Castle and opened a prep school
Gilling Castle is dated between 1350-1390 and was initially built as a strong point from which to defend surrounding villages. Passed from the Ettons to the Fairfaxes as a family home, Gilling Castle was bought by Ampleforth Abbey and College in 1929. After the First World War the College was growing in size and reputation meaning the purpose built Preparatory School built to the west of the Monastery no longer had the capacity to educate all on its extensive waiting list. Gilling Castle was therefore bought as a site for the College's new Preparatory School which took up residence in the Castle in 1930. The Junior House of Ampleforth College then merged with Gilling in 1993 to create the 3-13 co-educational catholic boarding school it is today.
1961
Sir Giles Gilbert Scott Church completed
The first Abbey Church built in the 19th century was demolished to make way for completion of the new Church which began with the building of the choir in 1924 and was finished and consecrated in 1961.
1963
Basil Hume appointed Abbot of Ampleforth
Abbot Basil Hume was elected on 3rd April 1963 as the Monk most trusted to lead Ampleforth through significant periods of change. These changes included new ideas and practices in the liturgy, aging monastic populations and the emergence of a 'numbers game' within the monastery. Hume made the traverse of these changing times a relatively stable experience for the Community and instigated the increased commitment to the school over the missions, as seen today. Abbot Basil was elected as Archbishop of Westminster in 1976.
1975
St Alban's Sports Centre opened
The St Alban's Sports Centre was opening in 1975 providing sports and swimming facilities to both students from Ampleforth College, Gilling Castle Preparatory School and the general public. It's facilities include a swimming pool, a sports hall, gym equipment in a purpose built suite, squash courts and much more.
2001
First boarding girls admitted into the Sixth Form
Ampleforth College did not become fully co-educational until 2010, however for nine years prior to this, girls were welcomed to the school for their sixth form years.
2009
Ampleforth Tea Room opened
Ampleforth Abbey Tea Room, furnished with the famous ‘Mousey Thompson’ tables, is situated off the Main Hall in the Central Building of Ampleforth Abbey and College. It provides a welcome respite and nourishing refreshments for many visitors wishing to view the Abbey and its grounds.
2010
College becomes fully co-educational
Girls entered the college from year nine to year 13 as of 2010. It's co-educational status was welcomed by many, now able to send sons and daughters to the same school. Ampleforth College now has three girls houses, St Margaret's, St Bede's and St Aidan's with a 40/60 split between girls and boys in the school.
2011
Ampleforth Visitor Centre opened
The visitor centre is run by Fr. Kentigern and a wonderful team of volunteers who have a vast amount of knowledge about Ampleforth between them. The centre informs visitors of the day-to-day life of the Community and the vows they take, the history of Ampleforth Abbey and College, local parishes and the orchard and cider production taking place in the Abbey grounds. There is also a video relating to monastic life compiled by the Community. The visitor centre has seen over 40,000 visitors since its opening.

Ampleforth Employment

Ampleforth Abbey Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. All applicants must be willing to undergo recruitment screening processes including interview, references from past employers and a Criminal Background check will be carried out on all successful applicants.

All posts at Ampleforth Abbey Trust are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. We therefore require applicants to declare all convictions, cautions and bind-overs, including those regarded as 'spent'. All information provided will be treated as confidential. All applicants, (regardless of position) are requested to read the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy as part of our commitment to safe guarding of children.

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Work With Us...

Current Vacancies

Staff Testimonials

Our History

Ampleforth Employment