Aiglon College's Chaplain

James is a Science teacher by background, who trained for the Anglican ministry , but never chose to be ordained. He has a great respect and interest in all faiths, which makes him particularly suited as Chaplain to Aiglon’s international community, and his teaching experience, in a range of independent and state schools in Britain and overseas, means he has a grassroots knowledge of schools and school culture.

He is particularly interested in the interface between Science and Faith, and in issues of teenage spirituality. He has considerable counselling experience, which he hopes to use in the Aiglon community. A keen, but rather erratic skier, he loves the mountains, and mountain life. He finds Swiss French easier to understand than the original version, but is still working on his language skills!

The Chaplain’s role at Aiglon College

James is responsible for spiritual and pastoral wellbeing of the Aiglon community. The unique aspect of his role is that he strives to support the staff and students of any faith or none – and as Aiglon is an international school which regularly houses students from more than 50 different nations, this is by no means a small feat!

One of the responsibilities of the Chaplain is to organise the traditional morning meditations that John Corlette (the founder of the school) first introduced to the school day. The meditations are a way of being able to engage all students in a reflection at the start of the day. It is a time when students are introduced to a variety of topics and speakers and are given a chance to reflect on ideas and thoughts in a focused and quiet environment.

James’ door is always open to students, staff and parents’ alike and he his office, is on the top floor of Les Collonges, high up the campus, with a breath-taking view of the mountains.

James Torrance holds a BA (Hons) in Natural Sciences and an MA from Christ’s College Cambridge. He subsequently gained a PGCE in Secondary Science from Lincoln College, Oxford.