King's College London Dean's Office

The Dean has exercised a central pastoral function within King's College since the reorganisation that took place following the King's College London (Transfer) Act of 1908. This incorporated King's into the University of London and legally separated the Theological Department from the secular component of King's. The position of Dean was created as the head of the theological King's College London, although he also exercised pastoral responsibility in the secular University of London, King's College. The office was temporarily combined with that of Principal under Arthur Headlam until 1913, when they were separated. The Dean has always been an ordained minister elected by the Council and responsible for the spiritual welfare of students and staff. For most of this period he also undertook the supervision of potential ordinands for the Church of England, but this ceased shortly before the reunification of the two halves of King's, which was completed in 1980. The Dean's office continues to undertake pastoral duties, to run the Chaplaincy and College Choir, and to administer the Associateship of King's College (AKC) programme.