About Us
The Catholic Education Service (CES) acts on behalf of the Catholic Bishops' Conference to support Catholic education. We have a strong and positive working relationship with the British and Welsh Government, sharing the aims of high academic standards for all and increased parental choice.
Catholic schools make up 10% of the national total of maintained schools. There are 2,169 Catholic schools, academies and colleges in England and Wales educating over 850,000 pupils. The Catholic Church and the Church of England together provide one-third of all of the schools in the country and account for 98% of all schools with a religious character.
A Brief History of Catholic Education in England and Wales
Loading...
St Annes and Guardian Angels Catholic Primary School
Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Primary School
Our Lady & St Rose of Lima Catholic Primary School
Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School
St Francis De Sales Catholic Infant and Nursery School
Broughton Hall Catholic High School Technology College
The Cathedral School of St Peter & St John Catholic Primary School
Our Lady of Peace Catholic Primary and Nursery School
Our Lady Mother of the Saviour Catholic Primary School
St Werburgh's & St Columba's Catholic Primary School
St Gregory and St Patrick's Catholic Community School
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School
St John The Baptist Catholic Primary School
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School
Cottesmore St Mary's Catholic Primary School
St Thomas a Becket Catholic Primary School
The Bishops' Church of England and Roman Catholic Primary School
De La Salle Catholic Secondary School and Language College
Our Lady and St Hubert's Roman Catholic Primary School
Saint John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Humanities College
Cardinal Allen Catholic High School A Specialist Maths & Computing College
Notre Dame Catholic Preparatory Primary School & Nursery
St John's Beaumont Catholic Primary School
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School
St Robert Southwell Catholic Primary School
All Hallows Catholic Business, Enterprise and Sports College
Larmenier and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
St Joseph's Catholic and Church of England Primary School
Holy Spirit Catholic And Church Of England Primary School
Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' Catholic Secondary School
Saint Catherine's Catholic Secondary School for Girls
St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form Centre
St James the Great Catholic Primary and Nursery School
St Anthony's Catholic Girls Secondary School
St Bede's Catholic Secondary School and Sixth Form College
Our Lady Of Perpetual Succour Catholic Primary School
St Augustine's Catholic Primary and Nursery Academy
Saint Benedict Catholic Secondary School and Performing Arts College
St Wilfrid's Catholic High School and Sixth Form College
SS John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School
St Joseph's & St Gregory's Catholic Primary School
St Peter's Catholic College of Maths and Computing
The English Martyrs Catholic Secondary School and Sixth Form College
St Mary Queen of Martyrs Catholic Primary School
Our Lady And St Bede Catholic Secondary School
St Brigids Catholic Primary School CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL
St Thomas More Catholic School & Technology College
Cardinal Wiseman Catholic Secondary School and Language College
St Patrick's Catholic Maths and Computing College
St John The Evangelist Catholic Primary School
St John the Baptist Catholic Secondary School
St Hugh of Lincoln C Catholic Primary School
St Charles Borromeo Catholic Primary School
St Francis Catholic & Church of England Primary Academy
St Philip Howard Catholic Secondary School
Our Lady of Most Holy Rosary Catholic Academy
Our Lady Of The Rosary Catholic Primary School
St Josephs Washington Catholic Primary School
Our Lady Queen Of Peace Catholic Primary School
St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and 6th Form College
Our Lady and Saint Peter Catholic Primary School
St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Primary School
St Edmund Campion Catholic Secondary School & Sixth Form Centre
St Bede's Catholic Sacriston Primary School
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Primary School
Our Lady & St. Anne's Catholic Primary School
St Aloysius Catholic Infants and Nursery School
Our Lady & St Thomas Catholic Primary School
Christ the King Catholic & Church Of England Primary School
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School
Our Lady and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
Blessed John Duckett Catholic Primary School
St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Secondary School
St Chads Catholic and Church of England High School
St Mary & St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School
St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School
St Wulstan's & St Edmund's Catholic Primary School & Nursery
Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Primary School
Ysgol Bendigaid William Davies Catholic Primary School
St Joseph's Catholic Secondary School and 6th Form Centre
Contracts Generator
By simply completing our online questionnaire, which asks the user to provide details of the employee, the school, and certain important terms of the employment relationship, then clicking ‘submit’, the answers provided are automatically populated into a PDF version of a standard CES contract of employment which is particular to the role. This allows schools to quickly and easily generate contracts of employment for their staff safe in the knowledge that, provided the questionnaire is completed correctly, all contractual clauses relevant to the role will be incorporated and the contract will be specific to the school and the employee.
Click here to open the contracts generator for Schools.
Contracts Generator
By simply completing our online questionnaire, which asks the user to provide details of the employee, the academy, and certain important terms of the employment relationship, then clicking ‘submit’, the answers provided are automatically populated into a PDF version of a standard CES contract of employment which is particular to the role. This allows academies to quickly and easily generate contracts of employment for their staff safe in the knowledge that, provided the questionnaire is completed correctly, all contractual clauses relevant to the role will be incorporated and the contract will be specific to the academy and the employee.
Click here to open the contracts generator for academies
Terms and Conditions
This Website is operated by the Catholic Education Service (the "CES" or "we" or "us"). These terms govern your use of this website including your use of any materials, information and services which may be made available to you from this website.
By using the website you accept and agree to be bound by these terms. If you do not agree to these terms, please refrain from using the website.
We may amend these terms at any time by posting such changes on the website. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with these terms and ensure that you are aware of any changes. Your continued use of this website following the posting of any such changes will constitute your acceptance of the revised terms.
1. Disclaimer
1.1 We have used all reasonable care and skill in collating, creating and publishing the information on this website but we make no guarantee or warranty as to the accuracy of this information or that this information will meet individual requirements.
1.2 This website is provided for information and guidance only.
1.3 Whilst this website and the materials published or posted on this website are available to be accessed anywhere in the world, we make no guarantee, promise or representation that any information, guidance or service provided from this website is suitable for use in any country outside the United Kingdom. Users who access this website from locations outside the United Kingdom do so at their own risk.
1.4 You acknowledge and agree that we will not be liable to you or any person for any claims, losses or damages (whether direct, indirect or consequential) that may arise from your use of this website or any materials or information published on this website, except to the extent that such liability cannot be excluded by law.
1.5 To the extent permitted by law, we expressly exclude all conditions, warranties and other terms which might otherwise be implied by statute, common law or the law of equity.
1.6 This disclaimer, together with these terms shall be governed by English law. You agree to submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales in respect of any disputes which may arise in connection with this website.
2. Access to the Website
Access to this website is permitted on a temporary basis and we reserve the right to withdraw, amend or restrict access to any part of this website without notice. We shall not be liable if for any reason this website, or any other site to which it links, is not available for any reason.
3. Links
3.1 This website may contain links to third party websites. These links are provided for convenience only and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept any responsibility for these websites, nor for any materials or information available from those sites.
3.2 You may create hypertext link to this website ("Link") provided you do so in a way that is fair and legal, does not damage our reputation or take advantage of it. When creating a Link you must comply with the following conditions:
3.2.1 you will not create or use the Link for any unlawful or fraudulent purposes;
3.2.2 you will not copy or use any trade marks, logos or other proprietary marks contained within this website to create a Link; and
3.2.3 you will not establish a Link in such a way as to suggest any form of association, approval or endorsement on the CES’s part where none exists.
3.3 We reserve the right to withdraw linking permission without notice and we do not guarantee continued operation of this website in its current form and specific page URL's may change at any time without notice.
4. Rights and use of the website
4.1 The CES and our licensors retain all rights, title and interest in and to this website and the information and materials published or posted on this site. These works are protected by intellectual property rights and your use is strictly restricted as set out in these terms.
4.2 You may access and print or download extracts of information and materials contained on this website ("Materials") for your own personal reference or for other genuine purposes connected with the Church and/or charitable causes, but you may not (and shall not allow others to):
4.2.1 use the Materials for any business-related purposes whatsoever;
4.2.2 sell, transfer, sub-licence, distribute, reproduce, modify, alter or create derivative works from the Materials; or
4.2.3 remove or alter any proprietary notices from or embedded within the Materials.
4.3 You shall not (nor allow others to):
4.3.1 breach or attempt to breach the security of this website;
4.3.2 modify, decompile, reverse engineer, decrypt, circumvent or otherwise interfere with or alter this website, any software or code that forms part of this website or any of the Materials;
4.3.3 use this website in any way which may cause the website or access to the website to be interrupted, damaged or impaired; or
4.3.4 use this website to knowingly transmit any data, or send or upload any material that contains viruses, trojans, worms, logic-bombs or any other harmful programs or similar computer code designed to adversely affect the operation of any computer software or hardware.
4.4 The trade marks, graphics and logos used on or in connection with this website belong to the CES and our licensors. You are granted no rights to use such marks and any unauthorised use is strictly prohibited.
4.5 All rights not expressly granted in these terms are reserved to the CES and our licensors.
5. Privacy
Any information you submit through this website will be used in accordance with our privacy policy.
6. Interactive Services
6.1 We may from time to time provide interactive services on the website, including, without limitation chat rooms, bulletin boards, social media and/or blogs (together "Interactive Services").
6.2 We are under no obligation to oversee, monitor or moderate any of the Interactive Services on the website, and we expressly exclude our liability for any loss or damage arising from your use of such service, whether the service is moderated or not. We reserve the right to delete, take-down or suspend access to any content transmitted to or published via the Interactive Services at any time.
6.3 You must be over the age of 18 to access and use our Interactive Services.
6.4 You may only use the Interactive Services for lawful purposes. You may not use such services to transmit or publish any content which:
6.4.1 is malicious, defamatory, obscene, racist, discriminatory or designed to offend or to cause annoyance or harassment;
6.4.2 is illegal, abusive, threatening, indecent, pornographic or menacing;
6.4.3 promotes sexually explicit material, violence or illegal activity of any kind;
6.4.4 infringes third party's intellectual property rights or confidence or privacy rights;
6.4.5 consists of political announcements, commercial solicitation or advertising, chain letters, mass mailings or spam; or
6.4.6 contains software viruses or any other computer code, files, or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of this website or any computer software or hardware.
6.5 When using the Interactive Services or dealing with this website you may not use a false email address, impersonate any other person or entity or mislead the website or other users as to the origin of any electronic communications or content.
6.6 All material which you contribute to the website through the Interactive Services must be accurate (where they state facts) or genuinely held (where they state opinions).
6.7 You acknowledge and agree that any material you submit or contribute to the website may be used, published, copied, distributed and disclosed to third parties by or on behalf of the CES. All content submitted to us via this website will be subject to the Content Submission Terms and Conditions.
6.8 We cannot guarantee that any material you contribute to the website will be secure or free from interception from third parties.
6.9 We will endeavour to remove any content available through the Interactive Services which causes or is likely to cause offence as soon as reasonably practical after we have been made aware of this. If you wish to make a complaint with regard to any content, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
7. Suspension and termination
We will determine, in our discretion, whether there has been a breach of these terms through your use of the website. In the event of any suspected breach, we may take such action as we deem appropriate.
8. Invalidity
8.1 If any of these terms are found by any court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the other terms which shall remain in full force and effect.
8.2 If any of these terms are found to be invalid or unenforceable but would cease to be invalid or unenforceable if some part of the provision were deleted, the provision in question shall apply with such modification as may be necessary to make such provision valid and enforceable.
9. Variations
We may revise these terms at any time by amending the website. You are expected to check this page from time to time to take notice of any changes we have made, as they are binding on you. Some of the provisions contained in these terms may also be superseded by provisions or notices published elsewhere on the website.
10. Entire agreement
These terms, together with our contact details and privacy policy, set out the whole of our agreement relating to your access to and use of this website.
11. Waiver
Our failure to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.
12. Contact details
If you require any further information, please contact the Catholic Education Service, 020 7901 1900, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX.
Thank you for visiting our website.
Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
1.1 The Catholic Education Service ("we" or "us") is committed to preserving the privacy of all visitors to this website.
1.2 This policy explains what personal information we collect from users of this website and how we use that information from time to time. This policy should be read in conjunction with our Website Terms and Conditions.
2. Information collection
We ask for personal information from you in a number of circumstances:
2.1 when you contact us to request information or services;
2.2 when you register for our newsletters;
2.3 when you use interactive services via this website;
3. Use of the information we collect
Your personal information will enable us to provide you with access to all parts of our website and will be used as follows:
3.1 to provide information you have requested and deal with any queries or requests you have;
3.2 to keep you up to date with our news and services;
3.3 to make information available to appropriate third parties where necessary;
3.4 to ensure that content from our website is presented in the most effective manner for you and your computer.
4. Disclosure of information
4.1 We may disclose personal information to third parties in connection with the purposes explained above.
4.2 We may disclose personal information as part of a due legal process or as otherwise permitted or required by law. Some of these third parties may be located outside of the European Economic Area.
5. Cookies and IP addresses
5.1 Similar to other websites, our website utilises a standard technology to collect information about how our website is used by individual computers connected to the internet. Information is gathered through cookies and Web server logs which allow us to monitor website traffic and to personalise the content of the site for you.
5.2 Browsers are usually set to accept cookies. However, if you would prefer not to receive cookies, you may alter the configuration of your browser to refuse cookies. If you choose to have your browser refuse cookies, it is possible that some areas of our site will not function as effectively when viewed by the users. A cookie cannot retrieve any other data from your hard drive or pass on computer viruses.
6. Security
We employ security measures which aim to protect the information provided by you from access by unauthorised persons and against unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction or damage.
7. Accessing and updating your information
8.1 You are entitled to see a copy of the personal information that we have collected online and that we maintain (about you). If you wish to do this, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We may charge a small fee to meet out costs in providing you with these details.
8. Contact
All comments, queries and other requests relating to our use of your information should be addressed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post to 39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX.
Catholic Education FAQs
There are more than 29,000 schools in England and Wales. Within the state-funded sector, all Catholic schools are either voluntary aided schools or academies (academies do not apply in Wales).
How many Catholic schools are there?
There are 2,087 Catholic schools in England and 82 Catholic schools in Wales. Catholic schools make up 9% of the national total of state funded schools. The Catholic Church is the largest provider of secondary education and the second largest provider of primary education in the country.
How many pupils attend Catholic schools?
There are just over 850,000 pupils in Catholic schools. These pupils are educated in a culture of inclusion, tolerance and mutual respect, providing pupils with a collection of values that enable them to play a full part in British society in service of the common good.
Do Catholic schools use admissions to select children from affluent backgrounds?
Like all schools, Catholic schools have over-subscription criteria in order to fairly determine school places. Church teaching places a duty on Catholic schools to care for the poor and educate those who are socially, academically, physically or emotionally disadvantaged. This is reflected through the pupil populations in Catholic schools.
Catholic schools serve a wide range of diverse and disadvantaged communities, many of whom come from the new and old migrant communities. Catholic schools educate 50% more pupils from the most deprived backgrounds than the state sector. Just under a fifth of all pupils in Catholic statutory education meet the highest national deprivation criteria, compared to a 12.8% England average. Similarly, a quarter fewer pupils from the more affluent areas attend Catholic schools.
Do Catholic schools serve their local community?
On average, Catholic schools have catchment areas ten times larger than community schools. This means their pupil population sometimes does not directly mirror the local community immediately surrounding the school. A larger catchment area increases social mixing and children from different communities and areas are brought together. Pupils from ethnic minorities make up 45.5% of the Catholic school population, compared to an England state school average of 37.4% — for Wales the Catholic figure is 35.6%, and the Welsh average 14.3%.
Are Catholic schools only for Catholic children?
Catholic schools welcome children from families from a range of faith backgrounds: 40% of pupils at Catholic schools are of other faiths or none. Catholic schools educate more than 348,894 non-Catholics and have a track record of supporting minority religions as they integrate into the local community.
Do Catholic schools teach the national curriculum?
All Catholic voluntary aided schools teach the national curriculum including evolution and reproduction in science. Catholic schools do not teach creationism as to do so would be against the teaching of the Catholic Church.
Do Catholic schools teach about other faiths?
Yes. Catholic schools are obliged to follow guidance from the Catholic Bishops' Conference which states that Religious Education must provide pupils with a basis of knowledge and theological understanding of the Catholic faith and an awareness of the faith and traditions of other religions in order to respect and understand them.
Do Catholic schools teach Relationship and Sex Education (RSE)
In accordance with guidance from the Department for Education, Catholic schools teach Relationship and Sex Education in an age-appropriate way. Moreover, the Catholic sector is the only education provider to have a comprehensive model RSE curriculum for ages 3 to 19.
How are Catholic schools and academies accountable?
Catholic schools and academies have the same accountability to the local authority/Department for Education/Welsh Government as non-Catholic schools and academies. In addition to this, they are also subject to an extra inspection regime to provide accountability to their diocesan bishop that high academic standards and the Catholic life of the school are maintained.
Who funds Catholic schools?
The school buildings and land of Catholic schools are owned by the Catholic Church. The Church provides these premises, at no charge, to enable the state to fulfil its obligation to provide education for the population. The day to day running costs of Catholic schools are funded by the state in the same way that all schools are funded (either through local authority or DfE funding agreements). The Church covers 10% of the capital costs for the maintenance of the premises in all voluntary aided schools.
Through this arrangement the Catholic Church saves the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds a year.
Do you have to be Catholic to teach in a Catholic school?
More than 40% of teachers in Catholic schools in England and Wales are Catholic. Catholic schools value and respect all staff members regardless of backgrounds or beliefs and promote and support the vocation of teaching.
For certain leadership positions (e.g. Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and Head of Religious Education) there is a requirement that the position be filled by a practising Catholic in order to maintain the Catholic ethos of the school. This is in line with the Equalities Act 2010.
Contact the CES Team
Contact Details
Address: Catholic Education Service, 39 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1BX
Telephone: 0207 901 1900
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Journalists' enquiries: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - out of hours send text message to 07780131319
Leadership Team
The Right Reverend Marcus Stock Chairman
Paul Barber Director
Catherine Bryan Assistant Director (Education)
Christine Fischer Assistant Director and Head of Legal
Philip Robinson Chief Inspector, Catholic Schools Inspectorate
Catholic Schools Inspectorate
Philip Robinson Chief Inspector
Jane Goring Project Lead
Education Team
Maureen Glackin Religious Education Adviser
Angela Keller Education Adviser (Wales)
Arthur Naylor Education Adviser (Higher Education)
Robert Rushworth CES Census Lead
Eileen Williams Projects Manager and PA to Director
Legal Team
Keri Goddard Senior Solicitor
Jacqui Callcut Solicitor
Public Affairs Team
Marie Southall Director of Partnerships and Public Affairs
Tom Burke Partnership and Public Affairs Manager
James Willsher Communications Manager
Molly Conrad Partnership and Public Affairs Officer
Elena Attfield Partnership and Public Affairs Officer
Management Committee
The Right Reverend Marcus Stock Bishop of Leeds
The Right Reverend Mark Davies Bishop of Shrewsbury
The Right Reverend Philip Egan Bishop of Portsmouth
Kate Griffin
The Right Reverend John Sherrington Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster
Monsignor Canon John Weatherill
The Right Reverend Alan Williams Bishop of Brentwood
National Board of Religious Inspectors and Advisers
The National Board of Religious Inspectors and Advisers (NBRIA), traces its history back to 1875.
Its members are all those mandated by the Bishops of the dioceses of England and Wales to promote and support Religious Education, catechesis and Christian formation in their schools and parishes. Currently there are over 80 individual advisers working across the dioceses as well as associate members belonging to various linked organisations. The NBRIA Executive is representative of the ecclesiastical provinces and of the professional committees, which reflect the major areas of work – primary schools, secondary schools, special needs support, adult religious formation, school inspection.
Religious Education Directory
The Religious Education Curriculum Directory (3-19) for Catholic Schools and Colleges is designed to provide guidance for the RE classroom curriculum in Catholic schools.
To Know You More Clearly is the new Religious Education Directory, which is to be used from 2025.
Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies
The Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS) is managed and awarded by the Board of Religious Studies on behalf of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
It was introduced in 1991 to replace its predecessors, the Catholic Teachers' Certificate and the Certificate in Religious Education. Any person who is or wishes to be involved in Catholic education and formation may apply for this course. This includes those involved in Religious Education in schools, parish catechesis and other ministries in the Church and anyone who wishes to follow the course for faith development or personal interest. The course seeks to ensure that participants have at least a basic knowledge and understanding of the beliefs of the Catholic faith. It also provides a basis for further study.
The course was revised in 1992. It is designed for teachers in Catholic schools; that they may have a basic understanding of the Church, its teaching and way of life to enable them to contribute to the maintenance of the ethos of the Catholic school. It is also for catechists in order to give them a basic understanding of the faith of the Catholic Church as a foundation for their catechetical ministry, and for adult members of the Church to enable them to continue to grow in understanding as they live their Catholic faith.
For further information please visit the Board of Religious Studies' CCRS website: http://brs-ccrs.org.uk
CAFOD resources
As the official overseas development agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, CAFOD has a mandate to support Catholic schools in educating and engaging their pupils in global justice.
CAFOD provides free assemblies, videos and activities linked to the liturgical year. We also provide resources for the Come and See primary RE programme, for KS3 RE and for GCSE RE specifications. CAFOD materials uphold Catholic teaching and are mindful of requirements within the Common Inspection Framework.
Equality
Catholic schools are welcoming places to pupils and members of staff from all faiths and none. More than a quarter of a million pupils and almost half of teachers in Catholic schools are not of the Catholic Faith.
As part of the Church’s historic agreement with the Government, Catholic schools are allowed to prioritise Catholics in their admissions codes and also reserve specific teaching roles for practising Catholics.
Guidance on the Equality Act and the Equality duties for schools in England and Wales can be found below.
Statement from CES re: Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections
The increasing number of young people nationally with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is leading to situations where some Catholic schools and sixth form colleges are being asked to participate in initiatives, eg, led by the Primary Care trusts (PCT) which encourage pupils and students to participate in testing for STIs.
We strongly advise that if such testing is to be made available at or facilitated through the school or college, parents should be advised of this and encouraged to discuss the matter with their daughter or son.
However, the paramount concern is that young people who find themselves in this situation should be able to get swift treatment so that the long term ill effects of STIs, which can include infertility, are averted.
The full statement from the CES can be downloaded below:
Data Protection and Freedom of Information
Below you can download information about Freedom of Information requests and Data Protection. Comprehensive data on both of these can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website https://ico.org.uk/
Skills Audit
The School Governance (Constitution and Federations) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 ("The Amendment Regulations 2014") (as amended), which come into force on 1st September 2014, require that governing bodies of all maintained schools in England must be reconstituted under The School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2012 (or for federations, The School Governance (Federations) (England) Regulations 2012) (collectively referred to as "the 2012 Regulations") before 1st September 2015.
As part of the reconstitution process, and even for schools which are already constituted under the 2012 Regulations, governing bodies must review their membership, in light of the requirements in terms of size and composition, contained in the 2012 Regulations, but also must ensure that they are no bigger than they need to be to have all the skills necessary to carry out their functions. The 2012 Regulations have been amended so as to require that governors must have, in the opinion of the person/body appointing them, the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school.
Given the requirement for governing bodies to be no bigger than they need to be to have the skills necessary to carry out their functions, and the emphasis on skills and experience, governing bodies are required to carry out 'skills audits' to assess the existence and standard of skills and experience across the governing body. To help schools achieve this aim, the CES has produced a model skills audit for use by Catholic schools which incorporates the skills, knowledge and experience which is mandatory or desirable for governors of a Catholic school. The CES model skills audit can be accessed below.
Schools are strongly encouraged to seek guidance in respect of the requirements for reconstitution from their Diocesan Education Service.
Model Application Forms
The Model Application Forms and supporting documents, need to be adapted by schools/academies and hosted on the school’s/academy’s website. The model versions are not to be used by applicants unless downloaded via a school’s/academy’s website.
Available to download below are the latest application forms for the different types of posts in Catholic schools/academies as well as documents which supplement the application forms. The Notes to Applicants should be used by applicants to assist in completion of all forms.
We constantly update these forms - so be sure to always use the latest version from this website each time you apply for a post.
Please do not return any completed application forms and/or supplementary documents to the Catholic Education Service as it will not be processed. Please return all completed application forms to school/college where you applied, or as instructed in the details of the post. Note, these are model document and are not to be used by applicants.
Vacancies in Catholic schools
Here you will find links to external websites which advertise vacancies in Catholic schools.
Memorandum On Appointment Of Staff In Catholic Schools
The Bishops Memorandum on the Appointment of Staff in Catholic Schools’ sets out the Bishops’ collective requirement on all Catholic schools and colleges in relation to staffing, the use of CES contracts of employment, workplace policies and associated model employment documents for Catholic schools. All Catholic school governing bodies must ensure that they have a copy of the Memorandum and that they comply with it.
Model Recruitment Documents & Guidance
Available to download below is guidance on recruitment as well as model documents such as a sample invitation to interview letter.
CES Census 2024
The CES Census is a survey of Catholic schools in England and Wales. It provides essential information on Catholic education from national to diocesan level, underpinning policy decisions at both local and national levels and enabling the CES to be proactive in promoting Catholic education.
As a result of the hard work of Census Representatives in the dioceses, together with that of the Census team at CES, the response rate since 2014 has been 100%, meaning the data is highly accurate. The Bishops expect schools and colleges to complete the CES Census since only with a high response rate from the entire sector can we demonstrate the diversity and inclusiveness within it.
The Census website contains full details of the arrangements for the 2024 census, together with online documentation and other information. Completed Census files must be uploaded using the file upload form on the census website.
The CES Census Digests 2023 for schools in England and Wales are available to download below, along with the Key Facts Card bookmark design. Previous Census publications can be downloaded from the Census website.
-->
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Wales
The Catholic Church is Wales in divided into three diocese; the diocese of Wrexham, the diocese of Menevia and the Archdiocese of Cardiff. Together they have an estimated Catholic population of 208,146.
The diocese of Wrexham consists of the 6 Counties of North Wales and the district of Montgomery in the County of Powys in Mid-Wales. It has a Catholic population of 37,050.
The diocese of Menevia covers Swansea, Carmarthen, Llandrindod wells, Haverfordwest and Port Talbot. It has a Catholic population of over 27,096
The Archdiocese of Cardiff has eight deaneries covering Cardiff, the Welsh valleys, Bridgend, Hereford, Newport, North Gwent and Pontypridd. It has a Catholic population of over 144,000.
There are 91 schools in Wales who educated 30,549 pupils and employ 1,635 teachers.
To contact the Welsh dioceses please see below:
Cardiff
Tel: 02920 233 838
Email: schools @ rcadc.org
Website: www.rcadc.co.uk/schools-commission.html
Menevia
Tel: 01792 652 757
Email: education @ menevia.org
Website: www.dioceseofmenevia.org/index.php/schools/
Wrexham
Tel: 01978 262 726
Email: curia @ wrexhamdiocese.co.uk
Website: www.wrexhamdiocese.org.uk
CES Education Adviser (Wales)
Philip Manghan
Tel: 07960513558
Email: WalesAdviser @ catholiceducation.org.uk
Bishop John Sherrington appointed as new CES trustee
The CES team is delighted to welcome Bishop John Sherrington, auxiliary bishop in Westminster archdiocese, as our new trustee. Bishop Sherrington was appointed on 1 January and his appointment means he will also be joining the CES Management Committee.
Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference to highlight Pope’s call for young people to be saints of the 21st century
164 delegates, most of them Heads, will attend. Keynote speakers, Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP and Fr Adrian Porter SJ, will explore the universal call to holiness and how this can be made a reality in contemporary life.
New data shows Catholic schools take more children from the least advantaged communities and add greater value
Recently published data demonstrates that a higher proportion of pupils in Catholic schools come from the 10% most deprived areas compared to the proportion in schools nationally.
Government to send a copy of the King James Bible to every school in England
The Government has decided to mark the 400th anniversary of the completion of the translation of the King James Bible into English by sending a copy of it to every school in England.
Resolutions adopted by the Bishops of England and Wales at their Plenary Meeting
The following resolutions relating to Catholic education were unanimously adopted by the Bishops of England and Wales at their Plenary Meeting in Leeds this week.
Parental choice limited by transport funding cuts
Parents across England and Wales are facing potential bills of thousands of pounds following local authority cuts to funding subsidies for transport to Catholic schools.
Statement from the CES regarding support for marriage
The Archbishops’ letter was circulated to all Catholic parishes and secondary schools. The letter is a positive affirmation of marriage, as is the Coalition for Marriage’s online petition. As the letter says, Catholics believe that ‘marriage is a high and noble vocation’.
90 Catholic academies now open
Five Catholic academies opened this month, bringing the total number of Catholic academies now open to 90.
New RE Curriculum Directory for Catholic schools
The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have issued a new edition of the Religious Education Curriculum Directory (3-19) for use in Catholic schools.
20 New Catholic Voluntary Academies Open
Twenty new Catholic Voluntary Academies opened on 1 July 2012, bringing the total number of Catholic academies now open to 110.
CES to engage with Government over Religious Education in GCSE reforms
Responding to Michael Gove’s education reforms, the Catholic Education Service (CES) has called for Religious Education (RE) to remain a priority in schools.
The reforms suggest that greater focus is required in ‘the core academic subjects of English, mathematics, sciences, history, geography and languages.’ The CES will continue to work with the Department for Education to ensure RE is not excluded from this new model, and that standards and rigour applied to examinations in core subjects will be extended to RE.
Father Tim Gardner OP, CES’s RE advisor said “RE lies at the heart of the curriculum in Catholic schools, and is an essential part of the curriculum in all schools. We will work with the Government and other faith groups to ensure that good quality RE remains a priority. We agree that the current RE GCSE requires reform to raise academic standards and the EBacc offers us the opportunity to ensure that RE is a rigorous and academic subject which stimulates and enriches children’s education. We will continue to promote RE as a core academic subject, which should take its rightful place among other humanities such as History and Geography.”
The Department for Education’s consultation on “Reforming Key Stage 4 Qualifications” offers the CES and other education stakeholders the opportunity to respond to the Government’s proposals.
Pupil Premiums must meet the needs of disadvantaged children
Today the Catholic Education Service (CES) welcomed the OFSTED review of Pupil Premiums as an opportunity for the Government to ensure disadvantaged children receive the additional support.
Currently Pupil Premiums are calculated using the number of children receiving Free School Meals. Annual census data from Catholic schools in England show that the number of children receiving Free School Meals does not reflect the proportion of children from deprived areas highlighted by the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI).
IDACI data provided by the Department for Education highlights that despite a lower than average take-up of Free School Meals in Catholic schools, 19% of Catholic Pupil (compared with 14% nationally) come from the most deprived 10% of areas. Likewise the data shows that Catholic schools have consistently smaller proportions of pupils from least deprived areas.
The CES is keen to promote a pupil premium calculated from a number of indicators which take into consideration addition indicators including Free Schools Meals and IDACI.
Greg Pope, Deputy Director of CES said “We support the government’s aim to ensure that funding for children from disadvantaged families is available to support them in their education. This review provides the Department for Education with the opportunity to evaluate how Pupil Premiums are calculated to ensure that all children from disadvantaged backgrounds will receive this support. A basket of indicators is preferable as our evidence highlights that there are many children from deprived areas who, for whatever reason, do not take up Free School Meals.”
Schools invited to celebrate ‘Little Way Week’ to start the Year of Faith
Every Catholic school in England and Wales has been invited to begin the forthcoming Year of Faith by having a week of prayer and service inspired by a young saint.
The joint initiative of the Bishops’ Department for Education and Formation, and also Evangelisation and Catechesis, is called ‘Little Way Week’ and is being run from 6 - 12 October. It aims to encourage everyone in the school community to pray and to serve one another and their local communities doing at least one activity, every day for a week. The initiative is inspired by the example and spiritual teaching of of St Thérèse of Lisieux, a French Carmelite nun who died when she was just 24 years old. Thérèse came to understand that everyone can grow in holiness and witness to God’s love by doing little things for love of Him and others every day.
Bishop Malcolm McMahon, Chair of the Department of Education and Formation of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales said: “I am delighted to commend the ‘Little Way Week’ and I hope very much that all of our schools will use it as an opportunity to follow the example of St Thérèse of Lisieux in undertaking simple acts of loving witness. Following her ‘Little Way’ teaches us to do the ordinary things of life with extraordinary love. At the heart of this is our faith that Jesus is the power for love and goodness in our lives, and so the Little Way Week will provide the best possible start to our celebration of the Year of Faith in our schools and communities.”
Meanwhile Bishop Kieran Conry, Chair of the Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales said: “Little Way Week is a wonderful initiative that the whole school community can participate in to witness to God’s love through service. Let us imitate St Thérèse as someone who found deep and lasting joy and happiness in doing little things for Jesus and those around her.”
The Week will coincide with the opening of the Year of Faith on 11 October which Pope Benedict XVI has initiated. The Year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and also coincides with a gathering of bishops from across the world in Rome for a synod themed, ‘The New Evangelisation for the Transmission of the Christian Faith’. One of the key emphases of the Year of Faith is to know better the Catholic Faith. Everyone is invited to participate in this year of celebration and mission, mindful that faith is not meant to be private, but professed and shared.
Free downloadable resources for schools include: lesson plans, teachers’ leaflets, scripture reflections, videos, assembly formats and there is also a national art competition being offered in partnership with Premier Christian Radio. The materials are available from: http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/little-way-week Information about the art competition is available from: http://www.premier.org.uk/littleway
The Week is being coordinated by the Bishops’ Conference Home Mission Desk, in partnership with the Catholic Education Service.
CES Campaign for the inclusion of Religious Education in exam reforms
This month marks the start of the Catholic Education Service‘s (CES) campaign for the inclusion of Religious Education in new reforms to Key Stage 4 public examinations. CES is keen to promote Religious Education as an academic subject which is at the heart of the curriculum in Catholic Schools and therefore deserves recognition in the proposed reforms. The statement below outlines the reasoning behind CES’s campaign, which will run till the end of the consultation period on 10th December 2012.
It is the view of the Catholic Church that good quality, well taught Religious Education is always and everywhere beneficial to pupils and therefore to society as a whole. Critical reflection upon the nature and content of religious belief can only contribute positively to the education of the whole person.
However, in Catholic schools Religious Education has a privileged place. The first principle of Catholic education is that parents must be able to exercise genuine choice in their children’s education. This principle has been consistently affirmed in the teaching of the Church and is enshrined in Canon Law.
It is a matter of justice, then, that Catholic parents be free to choose authentically Catholic schools for their children. As Pope Blessed John Paul II wrote in his Apostolic Exhortation Catechesi Tradendae, “The special character of the Catholic school, the underlying reason for it, the reason why Catholic parents should prefer it, is precisely the quality of the religious instruction integrated into the education of the pupils.”
Religious Education is not just an important facet of the curriculum of the Catholic school, it is the very core of the whole curriculum and entire ethos of that school. For this reason more than any other, the current proposals for the English Baccalaureate Certificate (which seem to exclude Religious Education from the core curriculum) are profoundly troubling.
In our view, current GCSEs in Religious Studies would benefit from reform. Pupils already benefit enormously from their study of GCSE RS, and it is a subject which, given the chance, can more than hold its own in a reformed system of examinations. Allowing Catholic schools to place Religious Education at the heart of the curriculum through an enriched English Baccalaureate is one way to achieve this.
New research shows Catholic schools are more ethnically diverse and higher performing than national averages
Today the Catholic Education Service launched its Digest of 2012 Census Data for Schools and Colleges. The data shows the prominent role of Catholic education in England and Wales with 2257 Catholic schools and colleges educating 838,756 pupils and employing 52,436 Teachers and 39,102 support staff.
The finding build upon previous year’s census which asks all Catholic schools and colleges in England and Wales to provide data on the number, Catholicity and social background of their pupils and teachers.
The data shows a number of positives:
•20 % of pupils at Catholic secondary schools live in the most deprived areas (17% nationally).
•Catholic schools are more ethnically diverse than national averages (33.5% of Catholic primary school pupils are from ethnic minority backgrounds compared with 27.6% nationally.)
•The Catholicity of both the pupil and teacher population has risen slightly from previous years with 71% of pupils and 55.6% of teachers at Catholic schools stated as Catholic.
Additional research into school performance continues to show that Catholic schools and colleges are outperforming national averages.
•74.7% of Catholic primary schools have Ofsted grades of good or outstanding (64% nationally)
•At age 11, Catholic schools outperform national average English and Maths SATs scores by 6%
•At GCSE, Catholic schools outperform the national average by 4.9%
Bishop Malcolm McMahon OP, Chairman of the Catholic Education Service said “We are very pleased to welcome these figures which show the enormous and important contribution that Catholic education makes to the common good of our society. The strength of our Catholic sector is based upon the respect for the individual, as a Child of God. Our Catholic schools continue to be a reflection of the diverse communities which we serve.”
Ends
Further data on Catholic education can be found in CES’s Digest of 2012 Census Data for Schools and Colleges available at www.catholiceducation.org.uk. (The Census return rate from Catholic schools and colleges was 98%).
Performance statics for Catholic Education can be found in the Key Facts 2012 available at www.catholiceducation.org.uk
New Director of Catholic Education Service Appointed
Mr Paul Barber, currently the Director of Education for the Diocese of Westminster has been appointed as the new Director of the Catholic Education Service.
Commenting on the appointment, Bishop Malcolm McMahon, Chairman of the Bishops’ Conference Department for Education and Formation, and the Chair of the Catholic Education Service, said: ‘I am delighted that Paul Barber has accepted the appointment of Director of the Catholic Education Service. He will bring to the post his considerable experience and a proven track record of commitment to the furtherance of the Church’s vision for Catholic education.’
Mr Barber will take over after Easter 2013 from Monsignor Marcus Stock who has been the Acting‐Director of the Catholic Education Service since November 2011.
ENDS
Short Biography:
Paul Barber MA (Cantab), MA (Canon Law), JCL
Paul Barber is the Director of Education for the Diocese of Westminster, a post he has held since 2003.
Paul read Law at Jesus College, Cambridge, won an Exhibition to the Middle Temple and was called to the Bar in 1992. He taught law at Sussex University, King’s College, London and Westminster University, where he was also a Visiting Fellow. He has studied canon law at Cardiff, Heythrop College (MA with distinction) and Louvain (JCL summa cum laude) where he is currently undertaking a doctorate on temporal goods in the Church in England and Wales.
Paul served as the national Legal Officer for the Catholic Education Service for five years before moving to the Diocese of Westminster. He is a committee member both of the Canon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland and the Ecclesiastical Law Society, and a member of the Editorial Board of the Christian Law Review “Law and Justice”. He is frequently involved in legislation policy at national and European level, and is a member of the Legal Affairs Commission of the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union. His current research interests include the canon law of education, jurisdiction and comparative canon law.
Statement on Qualification Reform
We welcome the announcement today by the Secretary of State for Education concerning the reform of qualifications at 16. It is clear that the government’s own consultation regarding examination reform showed broad consensus, accepting the need for reform yet rejecting the initial proposals for that reform. That the Secretary of State proposes to reform exams ‘with the help of school and university leaders’ is particularly welcome. Working closely with education professionals will help ensure that any reform will enjoy the widest possible support and confidence.
We are, however, disappointed that Religious Education remains effectively relegated to outside the ‘core’ under these proposals when it is at the very heart of the curriculum in every one of our more than 2000 schools in England. GCSE RE is a valuable and worthwhile subject, but it could be better, and we hope to be able to work with Ofqual and Examination Boards to ensure that it becomes so.
It remains to be seen, of course, how examination reform will now proceed. We are therefore unable to comment further until the detail becomes clear.
Further information of the reforms can be found on the Department for Education’s website (www.education.gov.uk)
Catholic agencies call for greater online protection for children
Press Statement – 18 June 2013
The Catholic Education Service and CSAN (Caritas Social Action Network) welcome the government’s focus on protecting children from harmful and explicit online content.
Today’s meeting at Downing Street chaired by Culture Sectary, Maria Miller provides an opportunity for the government to consider the impact that pornographic, violent or other harmful online content has on children’s’ development, mental health, relationships and self-esteem.
As the Catholic agencies with responsibility for education and welfare we hope that both the Government and internet service providers will take steps to allow children to explore the online world without fear of accessing adult or inappropriate content.
Detailed research by the Children’s Commissioner shows that significant numbers of children are still exposed to pornography, despite efforts to increase online safety, through the removal of adult content on public Wi-Fi and the appointment of Claire Perry MP as the Online Safety Advisor.
Parents have a duty to educate their children about online safety. However, it is important to provide them with necessary support to help them in this role. We support Baroness Howe of Idlicote’s Online Safety Bill as a means of providing this protection. The Bill proposes that Internet Service Providers and Mobile Phone Operators provide an opt-in service for adult content and we hope the government will offer support to the Bill and its proposals.
Ends
The Catholic Education Service (CES) is an agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW).
CSAN (Caritas Social Action Network) is the social action arm of the Church in England and Wales. CSAN comprises 41 member charities who work with prisoners, homeless people, refugees, travellers, victims of trafficking and domestic abuse as well as with children living in poverty.
Note to editors
Online Safety Bill, sponsored by Baroness Howe of Idlicote, makes provision for the promotion of online safety; to require internet service providers and mobile phone operators to provide a service that excludes pornographic images; and to require electronic device manufacturers to provide a means of filtering content. The Bill has completed second reading and it Committee stage.
The Children’s Commissioner for England - “Basically... porn is everywhere” A Rapid Evidence Assessment on the Effects that Access and Exposure to Pornography has on Children and Young People – highlights children’s exposure and access to pornography and makes a series of recommendations to the government.
Catholic Church welcome Prime Minister’s announcement on Online Safety for Children
Press Statement – 23 July 2013
“As the agencies of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales concerned with the education and welfare of children, we welcome yesterday’s announcements on increased online protection for children.
“We welcome the proposals to filters potentially harmful content unless an adult ‘opts-in’ following age verification and the steps further taken to make public Wi-Fi’s safer for children; namely the participation of the six companies which provide 90% of public Wi-Fi’s to introduce family friendly filters and adopt a ‘Family Friendly Wi-Fi’ symbol.
“We feel these are important steps in assisting parents to keep their children safe online, which should be complimented with education on online safety.
“At this point it is important to recognise that inappropriate online content is not solely limited to pornography. Websites containing extreme violence or promoting self-harm, suicide and eating disorders also present great risk to children. Governmental figures show that 13,231 childhood admissions to hospital last year with the primary diagnoses of deliberate self- harm and 1,141 childhood admission to hospital with the primary diagnosis of an eating disorder.
“We hope these safeguards will work to ensure that children are protected from the dangers posed to their development, mental health, relationships and self-esteem from harmful and explicit online material.
“The Catholic Education Service and CSAN (Caritas Social Action Network) have been campaigning for greater online safety for children and we welcome these steps from the Government to increase protections for children.”
Ends
The Catholic Education Service (CES) is an agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW).
CSAN (Caritas Social Action Network) is the social action arm of the Church in England and Wales. CSAN comprises 41 member charities who work with prisoners, homeless people, refugees, travellers, victims of trafficking and domestic abuse as well as with children living in poverty.
Catholic Church calls on employers to pay a “Living Wage”
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release – 5 November 2013
To coincide with Living Wage Week, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales together with three of its leading Catholic Agencies: the Catholic Education Service, CSAN (Caritas Social Action Network) and CAFOD, have reiterated the Church’s teaching on just wages and its support for the Living Wage and its importance for the support of workers’ families.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Catholic Education Service have produced a Living Wage Resource encouraging Catholic organisations, schools and charities in England and Wales to work towards its implementation.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, the Catholic Education Service, CSAN and CAFOD are all accredited Living Wage Employers.
Quoting the resolution which the Bishops’ Conference passed in 2012, Mgr Marcus Stock, General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said:
“The Bishops’ Conference fully endorses the principle of the Living Wage and invites Catholic organisations and charities in England and Wales to work towards its implementation.”
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service, said:
“We welcome the Bishops’ invitation to support the Living Wage. The importance of a ‘just wage’ can be found in Catholic Social Teaching, spanning over 100 years.”
“Schools and colleges play a central role in our Catholic communities and we recognise that, though schools often face financial pressure, this is one way in which we can live out our faith in service to the Common Good.”
Helen O’Brien, Chief Executive of CSAN, the domestic social action agency of the Catholic Church, added:
“Many Catholic Charities are increasingly witnessing more families living in ‘in-work poverty’ and struggling to afford the very basic costs of living such as food, utilities and rent payments. We recognise the importance of just wages as well as fair terms and conditions of employment”
“CSAN is committed to the principle of a Living Wage, which not only enables individuals to provide materially for their families but also allows them to spend quality time with their children”.
Chris Bain, Director of CAFOD, commented:
"Scripture makes many references to the importance of paying a right and just wage for work done. Although we were already paying the Living Wage for our staff before the joining the campaign, our Facilities Manager was also able to secure a Living Wage for the contract staff who deliver some of the services for CAFOD through third parties. We also feel that it was important to become a Living Wage employer as an expression of our solidarity with the principles of a paying a living wage and with those individuals and organisations striving to achieve fair pay."
Ends
Notes to Editors
1) The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, CES, CSAN and CAFOD are all accredited Living Wage Employers.
2) The Catholic Education Service (CES) is an agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in England and Wales, and works closely with the 2300 Catholic schools, colleges and university colleges, which the Church is responsible for across England and Wales.
3) Caritas Social Action Network is the official domestic social action agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and comprises over 40 Catholic Charities, many of whom work closely with children and families living in poverty.
4) CAFOD is the official overseas development and relief agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, working in countries across Africa, Latin America and Asia to support local communities in their fight against poverty and injustice.
5) The importance of paying a ‘just wage’ is central to Catholic Social Teaching:
Rerum Novarum (1891) Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII on Capital and Labour
Quadragesimo Anno (1931) Encyclical of Pope Pius XI on Reconstruction of the Social Order
Mater et Magistra (1961) Encyclical of Pope John XXIII on Christianity and Social Progress
Laborem Exercens (1981) Encyclical letter by Pope John Paul II on Human Work
Centesimus Annus (1991) Encyclical letter by Pope John Paul II on The Hundreth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum
Catholic Church releases free resources for Catholic schools on the Living Wage
Press Release – 15 October 2013
The Catholic Education Service and Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales have produced a series of theological and practical resources for schools that are interested in discovering more about the Living Wage campaign.
The focus on the Living Wage stems from last November's Catholic Bishops' Conference Plenary meeting in Leeds during which the Bishops passed a resolution endorsing the principles of the Living Wage and encouraging Catholic organisations and charities in England and Wales to work towards its implementation.
Bishop Malcolm McMahon, Chairman of the Catholic Education Service, said "A Living Wage is essential in the promotion of family life in our society. It ensures that the worker has enough money to cover the basic living costs for both themselves and their family. Catholic organisations have the responsibility to promote human flourishing through the dignity of work and the Living Wage plays an important part in this. I congratulate those Catholic schools, charities and universities who are already Living Wage employers and thank them for the great example they set us in their work for the Common Good."
The collection of online resources includes a series of videos of guest speakers looking at the view of Catholic Social Teaching and the Living Wage, downloadable copies of the Papal encyclicals which focus on the Living Wage, a downloadable HR and implementation guide for schools and colleges who are considering becoming a Living Wage employer, and a short film produced by the students of St Charles Catholic Sixth Form College, London on the Living Wage. The resources are available on the Catholic Education Service and Catholic Bishops' Conference websites.
Notes for Editors
1. The Catholic Education Service (CES) is an agency of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW).
2. The Living Wage is an independently calculated hourly wage rate designed to pay employees enough to cover their basic living needs (eg. cost of food, housing and basic needs). For more information please see The Living Wage Foundation website (www.livingwage.org.uk/)
3. Resolution from the Catholic Bishops' Conference Plenary Meeting in November 2012 in Leeds:
The Bishops' Conference recognises that fair wages are essential to the common good of our society. In accordance with Catholic social teaching, and as part of its mission to support the poor and vulnerable, the Bishops' Conference fully endorses the principle of the Living Wage and encourages Catholic organisations and charities in England and Wales to work towards its implementation.
4. The resources can be found online www.cbcew.org.uk/living-wage & www.catholiceducation.org.uk/campaigns/living-wage
Congregation for Catholic Education re-activates the Ecclesiastical faculties at Heythrop College
In the last few days, Heythrop College has received copies of decrees of the Congregation for Catholic Education dated 17 September 2013 re-activating the ecclesiastical faculties of Philosophy and Theology.
Since the 1920s, Heythrop has been dedicated to St Robert Bellarmine, the sixteenth century Italian Jesuit, Cardinal and Doctor of the Church. The ecclesiastical faculties together form a specialist institute of the College known as the "Bellarmine Institute". The decrees were signed on St Robert Bellarmine's feast day.
The ecclesiastical faculties were first approved almost 50 years ago in November 1964 when the College was located near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire. On joining the University of London in 1970, the College focussed on the award of University degrees rather than on teaching for ecclesiastical programmes and the ecclesiastical faculties have since then been in suspension.
More recently, those in the Heythrop student body preparing for the Catholic priesthood and engaged in ministry, who are an increasingly international group, have looked for civil and also church qualifications which enable them to teach in seminaries and Catholic universities. Consequently, the College has for some years offered the 60 or so Jesuit scholastics, seminarians and members of other religious congregations studying for the priesthood, the opportunity to prepare for an ecclesiastical bachelors degree (STB) in conjunction with the University of London Bachelor of Divinity (BD) programme. This has been possible through an arrangement with the Catholic University in Leuven and the Westminster diocesan seminary, Allen Hall.
Success with this initiative led the College to investigate how it might be extended. Now the faculties have been revived, students will be able to study for ecclesiastical bachelors (STB, BacPhil), licentiate (STL, PhL) and for doctoral degrees in Theology (STD) and Philosophy (PhD) in conjunction with degrees of the University of London.
The work of the Bellarmine Institute will be informed by responsible scholarship, fidelity to God's Word and the teaching of the Catholic Church. All programmes of the ecclesiastical faculties will be subject to the College's full quality assurance procedures.
A ceremony to mark the re-opening of the faculties will take place in January 2014.
Archbishop Nichols, the Patron of the Bellarmine Institute and Visitor of Heythrop College, University of London commented: "I am delighted that Heythrop College will once again be offering the full range of ecclesiastical qualifications alongside its existing University of London degrees. This development will give new opportunities to those training for the priesthood and those already in ministry to study for ecclesiastical licentiate and doctoral degrees in philosophy and theology."
Fr Michael Holman SJ, the Principal of Heythrop College said, "The mission of Heythrop College is to serve the Church and the common good. The additional ecclesiastical programmes and qualifications will enable the College to be of greater service to those engaged in ministry not only in this country but also overseas and that pleases us very much, not least as we celebrate the 400th anniversary of our foundation."
Contact: Michael Holman SJ, Principal, on 020 7795 4203; Elizabeth Thussu, Director of Administration, on 020 7795 4269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Living Wage guide for schools from Catholic Church and UNISON
Press Release - 6th November 2013
More than 2100 Catholic schools are being encouraged and supported to turn their schools into a Living Wage employer, following a resolution passed by the Catholic Bishops' Conference. The resolution has sparked a landmark agreement between UNISON, the UK's largest union, and the Catholic Education Service of England and Wales (CES) to celebrate Living Wage Week (4 – 8 November). The schools are being given a step-by-step implementation plan produced by the union, covering both directly employed and contracted out staff to help them win Living Wage accreditation.
The 2012 Living Wage resolution recognised "that fair wages are essential to the common good of our society. In accordance with Catholic social teaching, and as part of its mission to support the poor and vulnerable, the Bishops' Conference fully endorses the principle of the Living Wage and encourages Catholic organisations and charities in England and Wales to work towards its implementation."
This year, UNISON's evidence to the Low Pay Commission included testimonies from low paid workers across the country, highlighting the misery and stress on millions of families struggling to cope on poverty wages.
In addition to encouraging schools to pay the Living Wage, the CES have produced school resources on the Living Wage for use in the classroom and the wider Catholic community.
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON said:
"I am delighted that UNISON is working so closely with the Catholic Education Service to encourage schools to pay the living wage. Times are tough and low paid workers are struggling under the burden of rising prices for basics like food and fuel.
"Schools and heads are under a lot of pressure and that is why UNISON wants to make it easier for them to win Living Wage accreditation by producing a step-by-step guide. Having that accreditation sends out a strong message that this school is one that takes its responsibilities to its staff and the wider community seriously."
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service said:
"The Living Wage is an inherently Catholic concept and the importance of paying a just wage to the worker and their family can be found in Catholic Social Teaching for over a century.
Our online resources examine the Catholic Social Teaching behind this family wage as well as providing practical steps to becoming a Living Wage employer.
"I congratulate those Catholic schools, colleges and universities who are already Living Wage employers and thank them for the great example they set us in their work for the Common Good."
Notes to Editors
The new Living Wage rate for outside London is £7.65 per hour and is set by Loughborough University using Minimum Income Standard methodology developed by the Family Budget Unit and funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation;
The London Living Wage (LLW) is set by Greater London Authority (GLA) and is £8.80 per hour.
The Living Wage Resources can be found at www.catholiceducation.org.uk
Catholic schools called to join national celebration of education
Press Release- 30th January 2014
The Catholic Education Service (CES) is encouraging schools and parishes to use Education Sunday 2014 as a time to come together and celebrate the success and achievements of Catholic education.
Education Sunday will take place on the 16th February following the theme 'Going Above and Beyond'. Education Sunday provides an opportunity to give thanks for all those in our communities who go 'above and beyond' to work so hard in and for Catholic schools and colleges across the country.
Paul Barber, Director of the CES said, "The Catholic Church is proud of its nationwide network of schools and the contribution they make to our communities. It is therefore important to pay tribute to the many teachers, leaders, support staff and governors, without whose dedicated commitment it would be impossible for us to provide such a service to society."
Education Sunday is also an opportunity to strengthen the links between schools and parishes, so that both are able to continually share in the success of Catholic Education.
Bishop Malcolm McMahon OP, Chairman of the CES said, "I hope and pray that, as we celebrate the work of our Catholic schools, our schools and the parishes which they serve will draw even closer together, since both are one family, called to give glory to God and work for the common good of the wider community."
The CES has produced a collection of resources, including prayer and worship ideas, to assist schools and parishes in their Education Sunday celebrations.
The resources are available to download from the CES website www.catholiceducation.org.uk and include: Mass and Liturgy booklets, a letter from Bishop Malcolm McMahon OP, Prayer cards and a Catholic education information leaflet.
For over a century Education Sunday has been part of an ecumenical initiative in which the Catholic Church participates. Education Sunday is a national day of celebration for all those involved in in the world of education and is held on the ninth Sunday before Easter.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Alexandra Jarvis
Public Affairs Officer
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
0207 901 1904
Notes to Editor
• The Education Sunday 2014 theme was devised by an ecumenical steering group co-ordinated by the Churches Together in England.
• The Catholic Education Service (CES) is an agency of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW).
• Ecumenical resources are available to download from www.educationsunday.co.uk
Statistics
• The Catholic Church is the largest provider of secondary schools, and second largest provider of primary schools (behind the Church of England) in the country.
• Catholic schools funded jointly by the State and the Church make up 10% of the total maintained sector in England and Wales.
• Catholic maintained schools in England employ 46,664 teachers, 37,263 support staff and educate 770, 83 pupils.
Corpus Christi Catholic College
Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council said:
"We are aware of the serious incident at Corpus Christi Catholic College this morning and our thoughts are with all those concerned.
"We are working with the school to support pupils and staff at this very upsetting time. We wish to reassure people that this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing risk to pupils or staff at the school.
"We are working closely with the police and helping with their investigation."
A spokesman for the Diocese of Leeds added:
"The thoughts of all of the Diocese are with the families involved – all is being done to give support to all those involved"
The Catholic Education Service said:
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the community of Corpus Christi Catholic College at this sad time."
CES appoints new Higher Education Adviser
7th April 2014
The Catholic Education Service is delighted to announce the new appointment of Dr Arthur Naylor MA MEd PhD MBA as CES Higher Education Adviser.
Paul Barber, Director of CES said "We are delighted to welcome Dr Arthur Naylor to our team at CES as our Higher Education Adviser from 1st September. As the current Vice-Chancellor of St Mary's University Twickenham Dr Naylor brings with him a wealth of expertise, knowledge and experience.
"I also want to place on record our deep thanks to Professor Clare Pickles who has been such a great support to us in this field. We are grateful to her for all she done for Catholic education and we wish her well as she moves on to new challenges."
Dr Naylor's academic and professional background prior to his appointment as Principal of St Mary's was in secondary education and teacher education in Scotland. His main research interest was in guidance and pastoral care structures and he worked for three years on part secondment to the Committee that published the first national statement on Guidance in Scottish schools.
As Principal, Dr Naylor oversaw considerable expansion in student numbers, range of programmes and campus development at St Mary's. He served on a range of national bodies in higher education and is a past Chair of the Church Universities and Colleges, now known as the Cathedrals Group. In January 2014 when University title was achieved he became the first Vice-Chancellor of St Mary's University.
Dr Naylor will take up the post in September for the start of the new academic year.
For further information please contct:
Marie Southall
Public Affairs Manager
020 7901 1900
Chairman of CES comments on the tragedy in Corpus Christi Catholic College
29 April 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement from the Chairman of the Catholic Education Service
Upon hearing of the tragedy in Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, Archbishop-Elect Malcolm McMahon OP, Chairman of the Catholic Education Service, said:
'I was shocked and saddened to hear of Ann Maguire's death yesterday. My prayers, and those of every Catholic parish and school in England and Wales, will be with her family and friends, the staff and students of Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, and all who have been affected in any way by this senseless tragedy. Ann gave her life to the College and Catholic education, and thousands of young people have benefitted from her kindness and hard work over many years. May she rest in peace.'
ENDS
Contact
Marie Southall
Public Affairs Manager
E. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
T. 020 7901 1914
CCN
E. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
T. 020 7 901 4800
MPs praise Catholic schools
6th May 2014 – For immediate release
In a debate in Parliament on Wednesday 30th April, MPs from all political parties and both front benches voiced their support for Catholic education.
The debate on 'Catholic Schools (Admissions)' was led by Damian Hinds, MP for East Hampshire, and focused around the contribution that Catholic schools make to the education sector as well as the role of faith-based admissions to meet parental demand.
In the debate Damian Hinds MP said "Catholic schools are a key part of the education landscape in this country, and have been for a long time. They are diverse—more diverse, in fact, than the average—and that diversity includes already having a substantial proportion of non-Catholic children. They also have something special about them, and that specialness comes at least partly as a direct result of their religious nature."
Kevin Brennan MP, Shadow Minster for Education, said "Catholic schools are extremely diverse, often with large numbers of people from immigrant backgrounds."
David Laws MP, Minister for Schools, said "Catholic schools in particular generally outperform other types of state school. Last year, at primary level, 81% of pupils in Catholic schools achieved level 4 and above in reading, writing and maths at key stage 2, compared with 75% of pupils at all state schools. At secondary level, 67% of students secured five good GCSEs, including English and maths, in contrast to 61% of students at all state schools in 2013."
Greg Pope, Deputy Director of CES, said "We welcome these comments in Parliament. The success of Catholic education is founded upon the hard work of staff and pupils and it is right that MPs should praise their ongoing achievements. The CES will continue to work closely with both the Government and the opposition to ensure that Catholic schools provide a high standard of education to all families who seek it."
Ends
Catholic Church responds to alleged "Trojan Horse" plot
Press Statement – 10 June 2014
In light of the alleged "Trojan Horse" plot in Birmingham the Catholic Education Service has produced the following statement:
"Many people are confusing extremism with religion. It should be clarified that the alleged problems in Birmingham concern a number of community schools not faith schools. Catholic schools and other faith schools should not be penalised in response to these allegations.
"The Catholic Church welcomes the role of Ofsted in ensuring accountability and inclusive education for all, regardless of belief. Catholic schools are a place where pupils come together to learn about faith in an open and informative way to question and form their own understandings of their faith. Catholic schools exist to provide high academic standards and the formation of the whole person. They are not places of indoctrination or proselytisation.
"Catholic schools are an integrated part of local communities with more pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds and deprived areas than national averages."
Pope Francis appoints Monsignor Marcus Stock as new Bishop of Leeds
On the announment of Monsignor Marcus Stock appointment as new Bishop of Leeds, CES said:
"We are delighted to hear about Monsignor Marcus Stock's appointment as the new Bishop of Leeds. Mgr Marcus brought great expertise and was a supportive leader of Catholic education during his time as Assistant Director and Director of Schools in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, and as Acting Director of the Catholic Education Service. We wish Mgr Marcus all the best for his new post and we will keep him in our prayers."
Jim Dobbin MP RIP
We are saddened and shocked to hear of the death of Jim Dobbin MP. Our thoughts and prayers are with Pat and all of Jim's family. Parliament will be a poorer place for his passing for Jim was a brave voice, respected on all sides of the House. In many ways he was the outstanding Catholic parliamentarian of his generation and we will greatly miss his commitment to social justice combined with his gentle sense of humour.
Bishops launch new document in support of Catholic education
Press Release –8 September 2014
The Catholic Education Service is delighted to announce the launch of a new document, revised and approved by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, celebrating the important impact that Catholic education has on our communities.
The document, which was approved at the Bishops' Conference Plenary meeting in May, outlines the distinctive nature of Catholic education, which is currently responsible for almost 800,000 pupils in England and Wales. It also explains the way in which Catholic schools work in partnership with the Government to provide outstanding academic standards, a diverse education and a cohesive and welcoming environment for all.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster said: “I welcome this document which highlights the distinctive nature of Catholic education to make Christ known, to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children and to be of service to society. The high demand for places at Catholic schools is testament to the high regard of parents for the distinctive nature of Catholic schools and also the high standards achieved.
“I commend the staff, pupils and parents across all Catholic schools and offer my prayers for their continued endeavours.”
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP, Chairman of the CES, said: “Supporting the education of our young people is not just a responsibility for the Church, but also a privilege. This new document outlines the fantastic contribution of Catholic education to our communities across England and Wales and I hope that it encourages people to celebrate and support the work of our Catholic schools and colleges.”
The Catholic Church is responsible for 10% of the total maintained education sector in England and Wales. It employs over 48,000 teachers and 38,000 education support staff.
The document is available to download below.
Catholic education in a changing context
Change in the world of education has been rapid and will continue under the Coalition Government at a pace; one might speculate about the shape of the educational landscape in 2012. Already we see a world of academies, free schools, companies which provide education, competition, deregulation and closures. It is also a time of great demographic change in the Catholic population which is affecting dioceses in very different ways. The classroom has become ethnically very diverse. This offers a wonderful opportunity to understand the Catholic Church as the community of disciples in a much broader way.
We face challenges not persecution
It has become a commonplace comment that Christians in the UK are facing persecution from an overbearing state, a seemingly hostile judiciary and a metropolitan elite with friends in the media. A quick trawl of news sites shows that Ann Widdecombe believes that ‘Christianity in Britain is under severe persecution and it will get worse’; David Simpson MP says that ‘we don’t have to go to other countries to see persecution, we simply look to our own back door’. Even the former Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Rev Lord Carey, says that in Britain ‘Christians are vilified by the state... Christians are being driven underground’.
Leadership in Catholic Schools
Throughout the Gospels there are lessons to be learned either from what Jesus had to say and more often in the actions He took, and why and how He did what He did - examples are there for us all on the nature of the leadership that we can expect in our Catholic educational faith communities.
At the Last Supper, after Jesus had powerfully demonstrated the concept of ‘Servant Leadership’ by washing of the feet of His disciples, He responded to arguments about status by patiently explaining His view of leadership.
Catholic schools: Engaging with wider society
Catholic education could be seen as increasingly beleaguered. In the last few weeks, The Guardian has claimed that Catholic schools favour wealthier families with children on free school meals under-represented. And recently, there has been controversy about the letter from the Archbishops to schools on marriage.
We are rightly proud of our Catholic schools. There is a pluralistic approach to education with the churches, Jewish and Muslim authorities providing education which is regulated in largely the same way as state schools but with a religious dimension in those schools. The state pays the salaries and running costs and 90% of buildings (100% for academies).
Learning to love their neighbours
The most important thing we can teach our children is to love your neighbour as yourself. For young children it can be difficult to answer the question ‘who is my neighbour?’ For many of them it can just mean those who live close to them.
Holy Cross Catholic School, Plymouth has had a link with St John Vianney School in Gambia for over three years. The link was celebrated during the Holy Father’s visit to the UK in 2010 at The Big Assembly, Twickenham.
How is Religious Education changing?
A fourteen year old pupil once said to me, ‘You know, RE is a great subject, but you should really change its name.’ I asked why, and he said ‘Because it contains the two words that young people hate the most.’
Decision time for Catholic Academies
The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, is keen that all schools an England should become Academies as soon as possible. Academy status, he argues, will give schools more freedom and autonomy to make their own educational decisions in pursuit of higher standards and provide more funding to achieve those standards. For some existing schools ‘in difficulty’ it will provide ‘new start’ opportunities.
The work of the RE Council
Religious Education is at the heart of the nature and purpose of the education of young people. It is at the core of the Catholic school. As the 2012 Curriculum Directory for Catholic Schools says of Religious Education:
“Religious Education has a central role in the curriculum of the Catholic school and is at the heart of the philosophy of Catholic education. Religious Education has developed in a way that reflects the particular identity of our Catholic schools in England and Wales.”
Catholic schools: A force for good in their local community
What is it that makes a Catholic education unique and a force for good? As a practising Catholic who has spent a career working in education right across the country this is a question that I am frequently asked by education professionals and by parents looking for that special something that they see a Catholic education gives. Having thought about this many times I now have some answers to give.
Are you a Future Leader of a Catholic School?
How many of the following can you answer ‘yes’ to?
Opportunities for Christian education
How are Church of England schools faring in the current educational climate? How can we ensure that they can continue to flourish as the system changes around them?
Let the riches shine
What is ‘Religious Education’? In some schools, RE is little more than Sociology of Religion, while in others it follows a Comparative Religion model, helping make true Ronald Knox’s observation that, ‘the study of comparative religions is the best way to become comparatively religious.’ If, as seems likely, Religious Studies GCSE declines as a result of the English Baccalaureate, then we are likely to see many RE lessons become a sort of curricular appendix into which all the non-exam subjects like Citizenship and Sex and Relationships Education may be quietly banished.
Handing on the faith
Religious Education has been much in the news in the last year. The Schools Minister, Nick Gibb MP, was strenuously lobbied in the hope that he might reverse his decision to exclude RE from the ‘E-Bac’ (the English Baccalaureate — a collection of core GCSE subjects favoured by the Government), but to no avail. Yet in England and Wales it remains a statutory subject which must be studied by all registered pupils until the age of 18. However, the quality of RE in schools varies considerably, as does its content, and it is true to say that most RE teachers are fearful that its exclusion from the E-Bac will see a decline in the number of pupils entered for public examinations in the subject. The situation is more hopeful in Catholic schools where RE is regarded as the core of the whole curriculum and must be allotted 10% of the time available for teaching.
The diversity of our Catholic primary school
In our two-form entry Catholic primary school just near Heathrow there are 472 children on roll including the 52 who come part-time to our Nursery. They are all baptised Catholics and they all live in the same parish. These 472 children speak a total of 43 languages between them. When OFSTED came to our school in 2002 only 6% of the school roll spoke English as an additional language. When they came back 5 years later the figure had risen to 43%. It is now over 60% for the school as a whole and amongst our younger children the figure is nearer 80%.
Preaching the Gospel without words
“Preach the Gospel; use words if necessary”. This quote, attributed to St Francis of Assisi, sounds like a rebuke to Church press officers everywhere – how are we supposed to preach the Gospel if we can’t issue a press release? I’m not sure that the BBC would be terribly happy if next time they asked us for a comment we had to point out that we couldn’t say anything, because we preach the Gospel without words. Only we couldn’t even say that, because in doing so, we’d have to use words. It looks like we have an impossible task!
Your school needs you
For young people up and down the country a new year has just begun, with the school year in September bringing more change in their lives than January. For many children in our parish families this could mean beginning life in one of the over 2000 Catholic schools in England, perhaps at four years old or at eleven with the move to secondary schools. The Catholic ethos, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, should permeate all aspects of the life of the school. And as part of those values, we want to ensure excellence and that all our young people meet their potential, achieving the most they possibly can and setting them up to take advantage of available opportunities and make a full contribution during the rest of their life.
These are very challenging times for schools, with greater expectations of teachers and pupils, comparisons made with education systems across the world, information technology changing incredibly fast, jobs being created that were never dreamt of when I was at school, youth unemployment rising and very tight Government funding. We certainly cannot spend ourselves out of these corners and neither can we return to curriculums of old which catered for a very different world than our young people will find themselves in. To ensure our children are equipped to succeed, the day-to-day offer by schools to this generation has to be different from the ones we experienced, yet at the same time ensuring our eternal Catholic values remain at its core. Are you interested in helping Catholic schools rise to these exciting challenges? There is an important role that a lay member of the parish you can volunteer to do – that of school governor.
School governors are often described as ‘unsung heroes’ including by Government ministers. Their work is largely hidden from view. In your parish there will be school governors amongst you who are providing a vital leadership role to our Catholic schools. In Catholic schools, foundation governors – practising Catholics appointed by the Diocese – make up the majority. A foundation governor has a responsibility to preserve and develop the Catholic character of the school, but like all governors, also has to ensure high standards of educational achievement by the children.
It is the role of the school governing body to both support and challenge the school, in particular to ensure the headteacher is held accountable for the education provided. Long gone are the days when being a governor was little more than a cup of tea and a chat about how lovely the school is. Over the years as schools have gained greater independence from local authorities, more duties have been given to governors. Being on a governing body is now much more akin to being on the Trustee Board of a charity or on the Board of Directors of a limited company and Academy governors are now also trustees and directors. The buck stops with the governing body, and while this is a great responsibility, it can also be incredibly rewarding. Just under three-quarters of Catholic schools are rated by Ofsted as good or outstanding, but this does leave a significant number requiring dramatic improvement. Playing a part successfully in such a school can mean watching more children each year leaving more prepared to face the challenges ahead. Even outstanding schools require good governance; schools can be quite fragile places, and an outstanding headteacher leaving a school can make it vulnerable, especially where recruiting a Catholic head is difficult due to short supply of good candidates.
Governing bodies are a corporate body, made up usually of between 10 and 18 people, and amongst its members the team needs to have a range of skills and diverse from outside the education sector – such as experience of governance in other sectors, strategic planning, staff recruitment, data analysis, performance management, community relations, problem solving, financial management, premises management, procurement, legal expertise, and many others. Clearly, no one person will bring all of that to the table, but if you do feel you have something to offer and are able to make a commitment, please do consider putting yourself forward to be a Foundation governor at a Catholic school. You can start the process three-ways – have a conversation with the Chair of Governors at the school nearest you, contact your Parish priest, or contact the Diocesan. If you are appointed, you should receive induction training, and the National Governor’s Association publishes a ‘Welcome to Governance’ guide which should be of help in your early days (see www.nga.org.uk).
Emma Knights is Chief Executive of the National Governors’ Association and also a foundation governor at the children’s Catholic secondary school
‘Little Way Week’ to start the Year of Faith
Every Catholic school in England and Wales has been been invited to begin the forthcoming Year of Faith by having a week of prayer and service inspired by a young saint.
The joint initiative of the Bishops’ Department for Education and Formation, and also Evangelisation and Catechesis, is called ‘Little Way Week’ and is being run from 6 - 12 October. Many of the resources are not date specific which means it could also be offered any time during this academic year. Little Way Week coincides with the opening of the Year of Faith on 11 October which has as its focus ‘The New Evangelisation for the Transmission of the Christian Faith’. The Year marks the 50 anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and also coincides with a gathering of bishops from across the world in Rome. One of the key emphases of the Year of Faith is to know better the Catholic Faith. Everyone is invited to participate in this year of celebration and mission, mindful that faith is not meant to be private, but professed and shared.
In support of the celebration of the Year in Catholic schools, the Little Way Week initiative aims to encourage everyone in the school community to pray and to serve one another and their local communities doing at least one activity, every day for a week. The initiative is inspired by the example and spiritual teaching of of St Thérèse of Lisieux, a French Carmelite nun who died when she was just 24 years old. Thérèse wrote: “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.” At a very young age she came to understand that everyone can grow in holiness and witness to God’s love by doing little things for love of Him and others every day.
Bishop Malcolm McMahon, Chair of the Department of Education and Formation of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said: “I am delighted to commend the ‘Little Way Week’ and I hope very much that all of our schools will use it as an opportunity to follow the example of St Thérèse of Lisieux in undertaking simple acts of loving witness. Following her ‘Little Way’ teaches us to do the ordinary things of life with extraordinary love. At the heart of this is our faith that Jesus is the power for love and goodness in our lives, and so the Little Way Week will provide the best possible start to our celebration of the Year of Faith in our schools and communities.”
Meanwhile Bishop Kieran Conry, Chair of the Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said: “Little Way Week is a wonderful initiative that the whole school community can participate in to witness to God’s love through service. Let us imitate St Thérèse as someone who found deep and lasting joy and happiness in doing little things for Jesus and those around her.”
On the Bishops’ Conference website a number of free resources are available to schools. There are several video recordings of circle time with primary age children and video reflections provided by CAFOD for use with secondary age students. Whilst the primary school lesson plan focuses on teaching about nurturing virtues, the secondary school lessons have as their focus role models and what Christian love in action means. Also online are stickers, teachers’ leaflets, posters, scripture resources to be used daily in the classroom, assembly formats, as well as other materials. All the materials are available from: http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/little-way-week
In partnership with Premier Christian Radio a national art competition for schools is being run with prizes being awarded in two categories - primary school children aged 5 - 11 years old and secondary school students aged 11 - 18. The theme of the competition is “Helping Others: Expressing Faith in Little Ways” and entrants are invited to submit their entry through their school. More information and an online entry form is available from: http://www.premier.org.uk/hearttoheart
The Week is being coordinated by the Bishops’ Conference Home Mission Desk, in partnership with the Catholic Education Service. The hope is that every school will participate in some way as the launch pad for a year of activities to celebrate and share the Catholic Faith.
Clare Ward
Home Mission Desk of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Education, ethics and ethos
The Anscombe Bioethics Centre (formally called the Linacre Centre) was founded in 1977 by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales. Our focus is on healthcare ethics, and we approach this in a number of ways. We respond to consultations. We engage in research into new and challenging ethical questions. We provide healthcare practitioners and the public with a Catholic perspective on ethical issues, new and old.
Attitudes of professionals, policy-makers and the public are shaped by education and the school curriculum covers bioethical issues such as abortion and euthanasia. Hence, the Centre has embarked on a project specifically to support Catholic education in relation to ethics. This project will include the publication of a book on the ethos of a Catholic School and also a conference in Oxford taking place later this month.
The topic of ‘ethos’ is one that emerged from our work with teachers. Often we would be invited to a school to speak on a particular topic, such as the ethics of stem cell research. However, in discussion we frequently found that the questions became much broader: Was the Church opposed to scientific progress? Had she not been opposed to science in the past? Is morality ultimately subjective? How can the Church require people to agree with her moral teaching? Is teaching the truth of Catholic belief just indoctrination? These questions relate to fundamental questions of worldview: questions not just of ethics but of ethos.
In the context of the cultural diversity of British society, Catholics often find themselves having to justify the continued existence of Catholic Schools. This question is not only posed by prominent atheists but also by Christians, including some Catholics. What are Catholic Schools for?
Before answering this question it is worth asking another, perhaps overlooked question: What is any school for? Parents, pupils, teachers, universities, potential employers, politicians all look to schools to achieve different things: to deliver qualifications, to impart skills, to prepare pupils for further studies or employment or both. Schools also keep children off the streets and enable parents to work - a function that becomes very obvious during the school holidays.
Schools fulfil many purposes but their primary aim is, or ought to be, to educate. A school is a place of learning not only about this or that but learning aimed at becoming a certain kind of person: a person who can flourish in society, an ethical person. Understood in this way, the task of education is essentially concerned with ethics, with helping pupils learn what it is to think and feel and act in an ethical way. This is not just done through study; the character and atmosphere of the school also have a strong role to play.
The point of Catholic schools, therefore, is to educate children according to a Catholic understanding of ethics - a Catholic understanding of what it is to flourish as a human being. But this leads to another question. Is there any such thing as a Catholic understanding of ethics? Surely if an action is good or bad then it is good or bad for everyone, not just for Catholics. However, even if this is true (and it needs some qualification) it is clear that not everyone agrees about what is good or bad. The Catholic Church draws on a particular tradition of ethical wisdom, and it is this ethical wisdom that Catholic schools exist to foster.
The Anscombe Centre conference on Tuesday 30th October (10am-4pm at St Gregory the Great Catholic School, Oxford OX4 3DR) is an excellent opportunity to think about ethics, science and religion in the curriculum and across the school. Speakers include Fr Andrew Pinsent, Research Director at the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion, and Fr Tim Gardner OP, a school chaplain and RE teacher who is Department Secretary (Catholic Education and Formation) at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. The day is for teachers, school leadership and others involved in education (such as school governors), and is initially, but not exclusively, geared towards those attached to Catholic Schools. Bookings and the latest updates are available at www.bioethics.org.uk and at goo.gl/Wx29dW or by phone on 01865 610 212.
Prof David Albert Jones is Director of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, Oxford.
Academies in the Diocese of Nottingham
The government’s agenda for change in education includes the option for schools of any persuasion to consider conversion to academy status (an ‘academy’ is a state funded independent school). Indeed, government policy is openly one of encouraging conversion; they would like to see ‘academies as the norm’. What we desire as guardians of Catholic schools is to ensure that our schools offer the best education possible to our young people so ‘that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10). This means offering them a high quality academic, personal, social, physical, spiritual and moral education built on the solid foundation of the teachings and practice of the Catholic faith. What we want is to support parents in educating our young people so that they have every opportunity to flourish as confident and courageous Catholics; to become those who know how to give something back, to work for the common good.
So, can these ‘policies’ or ‘ideals’ fit together? There is not an easy answer to this. Some would say that they can and others that they can’t. Here in the Diocese of Nottingham, we liaise with twelve Local Authorities and, on the whole, these have been successful partnerships that have been of benefit to our schools over the years. It is also true to say that there have been some difficulties, particularly in relation to funding formulas, provision (or not) of school transport, and so on. Local Authority (L.A.) policy on education and, specifically on academy conversion, varies widely even within our diocese. The picture across the country as a whole is even more variable. In some areas there is no longer a School Support Service within the L.A. leaving schools to buy services from an increasingly expanding educational marketplace. All this means that a single response, or implementation of a single model for Catholic schools nationally is no longer appropriate or even possible. New ways of thinking about how schools operate and work together and how they are supported to improve need to be carefully developed and considered taking into account these local variations. It goes without saying that, the core principles for Catholic education will always be shared and central to the mission of our diocesan education services and schools. Whether or not a school is Voluntary-Aided, Independent or an Academy is not the driving force, “…the life of faith needs to be the driving force… so that the Church’s mission may be served effectively, and the young people may discover the joy of entering into Christ’s ‘being for others’ (Spe Salvi, 28).” (Pope Benedict XVI, St. Mary’s College, Twickenham, September 2010).
In the Diocese of Nottingham, following a great deal of dialogue with Headteachers and governors, undertaken by its Education Service, the Trustees took the decision to embrace the academy programme and to give their consent for schools to convert to academy status as part of multi-academy trusts. Already our schools are organised into what we know as ‘families of schools.’ That is, a secondary school and its partner primary schools. These families of schools vary in size from three to seven schools. Historically, the effectiveness of the informal collaboration between these groups of schools has been variable. Some families of schools have developed excellent collaborative practice, meeting together regularly, for example, to plan joint teacher training days for staff, often on religious or spiritual formation and education, and so on. Other families of schools have only been able to meet rarely and have not really established a consistent pattern of collaboration. Coming together to form what is a single legal entity as a Catholic multi-Academy Trust gives our schools a chance to crystallise these partnerships creating strategic opportunities to develop and learn together so that all may flourish; the stronger supporting the weaker, so that no school is left behind.
In one of our first Catholic Academy Trusts, formed in September 2011, the Directors (Governors) as employers, have appointed some key personnel to work across the family of schools: a Lay Chaplain; a School Social Worker from one of our partner organisations ‘Faith in Families’ (formerly the Catholic Children’s Society) to offer support to children in vulnerable families and an Educational Welfare Officer, as the L.A. no longer provides one. The advantages of these arrangements for the children and families speak for themselves in terms of continuity – the Chaplain, the EWO, the Family Support Worker, will all be available to families as the young people move through the system from 3 to 18 years of age. Opportunities for the creation of some shared administration and finance staffing structures are also being explored by some of our multi-academy trusts as are the possibilities of appointment of specialist teaching and support staff – modern foreign languages, special educational needs, specialist sport and music teachers, being the most obvious examples.
The Diocesan Education Service (DES) continues to support all its schools and academies with advice on religious education, collective worship, governance, admissions, Section 48 Inspection, and so on. The DES is also exploring new ways of supporting its schools and academies, for example , recently developing a pilot project with Church Marketplace and a group of School Business Managers with a view to brokering (not providing) services specifically suited to Catholic schools and academies, e.g. Human Resources advice and support.
Currently there are eight Catholic Academy Trusts in the Diocese of Nottingham formed by 31 academies. On October 1st, a further seven schools will convert bringing the total number of academies to 38; this represents 45% of our schools. Our view is that, by coming together to form Catholic Academy Trusts, our schools will be a in a stronger position to face the challenges of an uncertain and continually changing future.
Catholic values from my Catholic School
Preparing for university is proving to be an extremely exciting time. My A-level study stretched me to the limits of my capabilities, learning as much about Nuclear Physics as I did about the importance of discipline, focus and endurance. It's now very easy, only a few months on, to dismiss the mammoth challenge they presented thinking 'they weren't really that difficult'. Then the consecutive string of all night revision sessions and seeing the library staff more than I did my brothers and sisters springs delightfully back to memory. I am now pleased to have successfully completed them (more, importantly dispelled them from my life for good) and looking forward to commencing undergraduate study in Politics and Sociology at The University of Bristol.
I can truly feel the transition into young adulthood, being constantly reminded of the multiple tasks I am encouraged to complete independently. From completing application forms for accommodation and financial support to buying bedding sets and crockery. Having also spent the summer working part-time at the Stratford Westfield shopping centre and on the Olympic park, my exposure to responsibility has been considerably heightened. This has all set the context in preparing for 'real' adulthood and building my character for the future that lies ahead.
However, my most distinct period of personal development lies in the 7 years I spent at Our Lady's Convent High School in Hackney. An area amazingly rich in diversity coupled with a variety of socio-economic difficulties provided a very interesting setting for secondary education. Founded on the values of the Servite order, the importance of service is treasured as an essential Catholic teaching. We learnt through practical action, organising trips to local residential homes at Christmas to deliver decorated hampers, becoming involved in social campaigns and being constantly encouraged to be active stewards within our community. During my time at Our Lady's, it became apparent how we show our faith and love for God through the relationships we keep with our neighbours and the efforts we make to improve our universal community. A verse I am sure to never to forget comes from the book of James which makes the point that faith without works is dead. I was among a delegation from my school to be invited to a conference hosted by Harvard University, for our participation in a variety of campaigns pioneered by Citizens UK to present this very message.
Serving my school community as Head Girl was the culmination of years of extra-curricular involvement within the school. I felt exceedingly privileged to be able to represent the student body and lead the school council working towards the school's ongoing development towards improved excellence. All my experiences during these crucially formative years are surely guaranteed to place me in good stead at university and in my further endeavours. I now look upon my younger sister with gleaming eyes as she begins her journey at Our Lady's in year 7, seeing in her what I hope most saw in me. A bright young lady that's full of potential, with a future of endless possibilities.
Schools of the Lord’s service
‘May the choirs of angels come to greet you. May they speed you to paradise.’ A small group of pupils from years 5 and 6 of St Laurence’s Primary School, Cambridge, sang the gentle response, beautifully led by their headteacher cantor. They were helping the congregation of relatives and friends in St John the Baptist Cathedral, Norwich, bid a loving farewell to Fr Ben Grist, whom they had known during his student placement. Fr Ben had recently received the gift of ordination at the end of the fourth year of his studies, as he moved through the final stages of cancer.
Two weeks earlier, the same Cathedral, full to overflowing, had been the venue for a great celebration by the Diocese of East Anglia of the opening of the Year of Faith. At the end of Mass, people from across the Diocese watched as representatives from all the Catholic schools came forward to accept gifts of the Catechism and learning resources.
The presence of pupils at these celebrations demonstrated some of the ways in which our schools proclaim the gospel. It showed the determination, on the part of the staff of our schools, to remain true to their mission of educating children and young people in faith and helping them to understand the way in which that faith is celebrated. Long liturgies in cathedrals may not be the most accessible experience even for adults who are familiar with the ‘language’ of faith, but the children’s conduct showed that their teachers had prepared them carefully.
It also made evident the support which is often given to schools by the clergy. The children and young people were provided with all the facilities they needed, and it was clear that much thought had been given to what would be helpful to them. At the celebration for the opening of the Year of Faith, the Diocesan Administrator, Fr David Bagstaff, preached a homily which engaged their interest while still giving the adults plenty of food for thought. At the end of the celebration, the children processed out before the rest of the congregation, ensuring they were able to get to a different kind of food without delay!
The presence of the children at Fr Ben’s funeral highlighted the way in which Catholic schools and colleges develop, from the earliest years, the recognition of death as not only a time of loss and sadness, but also of joy for the person who is experiencing transformation into risen life. Making a commitment to this perspective on death is not easy in a society where belief in eternal life is uncertain. The comment of a monk of Ampleforth, that where all schools prepare their pupils for life, ‘we prepare them for death’, brings us up sharply against a truth which to many in our culture appears to be a paradox.
Our schools and colleges stand at the interface of deeply committed faith and a society and culture which finds it increasingly difficult to acknowledge the reality of God. They have to play the game according to the rules of government, Department for Education, Ofsted and Local Authorities, and, as we would expect, achieve the highest standards of professionalism in teaching and learning and standards of achievement. But through all of this, they do not forget the fundamental reason for their existence – through the education of children and young people, to proclaim the gospel, in all its challenge and joy.
There are no other countries where the system of education offers the Catholic community comparable opportunities for evangelisation. Our schools form an integral part of our national education system, and we can use that position to engage with, challenge, influence and support society itself. As a Church, we can sometimes overlook this and assume our business is the parish. But as Pope Benedict explained with such clarity in his address in Westminster Hall, ‘the world of reason and the world of faith – the world of secular rationality and the world of religious belief – need one another and should not be afraid to enter into a profound and ongoing dialogue, for the good of our civilisation.’ The existence of our schools and colleges, and their commitment to proclaiming the gospel, provide a superb foundation and catalyst for this dialogue.
Dr Dilys Wadman DSG is the former Director of Education for Archdiocese of Southwark
The Wednesday Word
Sharing Sunday’s Gospel
The Wednesday Word is a 21st Century mission for Catholic primary schools, and a simple mid-week habit of prayer and reflection on the Word of God for parishioners and Catholic school families. Linked to the celebration of Sunday Mass, this is a new way to share the Gospel and the teaching of the Catholic Church, rooting the partnership between home, school and parish in the Word of God.
THERE ARE TWO VERSIONS OF THE WEDNESDAY WORD LEAFLET:
The Primary School version and the Parish version.
In support of the New Evangelisation, the President of the Bishops’ Conference in England and Wales, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, has endorsed The Wednesday Word: a new and lively, mid-week (Wednesday) contact between the Church and primary school families. The enthusiasm of so many Catholic headteachers, school governors, RE coordinators, teachers and parish priests around the country to share the Word of God in this new way has been overwhelming – it’s ‘Good News’ for families.
‘GOOD NEWS’ FOR FAMILY FAITH
The best and most memorable stories in life are true. They are usually about some significant happening that has made a big difference in a person's life. The Wednesday Word mission (to send God’s Word into primary school family homes each week) started through a Catholic school family’s awakening and growth in faith - through reading the gospels together. Dannie (a married father of 3 children) was a lapsed Catholic for many years. He rediscovered his faith and returned to the Church after being encouraged to read the gospels. Over time, wanting to share what he had found with his family, he started to read the gospel with his wife and children too. Together they talked about the gospel’s meaning and relevance for their lives together. This special ‘Gospel Family Time’ proved to be a great way for the family to discuss faith and many other aspects of their lives - deepening their relationship with Christ, their local parish church and, indeed, strengthening their family relationships.
SCHOOL MISSION - SOWING SEEDS
Evangelisation for school parents:putting the Word of God, each week, into the home of every child in a Catholic primary school From very small beginnings, The Wednesday Word primary school resource developed.
Primarily, The Wednesday Word is an agent for the New Evangelisation, gently informing non-churchgoing parents about the ‘Good News’ and the relevance of the Christian faith. With its focus on the Sunday Gospel, this primary school resource is an attractive and colourful double-sided A4 leaflet which is designed to sow the seeds of God's Word; especially among the majority of parents who do not take their children to church. Statistics tell us this can be as high as 80% or above in many schools. The children receive the primary school version of The Wednesday Word, as a gift, in school each week for them to carry into the family home to read with their parents. In this way the Word is sent out by the school, just as (in the Parable) the Sower sends out the Seed, and so The Wednesday Word makes the Word of God present in thousands of school family homes each week, creating a new and powerful opportunity for the evangelisation of school parents.
GOSPEL FAMILY TIME CUSTOM
A new family habit of prayer and reflection based on the Sunday Gospel.
It is the parents who are the primary educators in their children's faith and The Wednesday Word helps them in this role, and also acts as a regular reminder of and invitation to Church. The resource also seeks to evangelise through a special ‘Gospel Family Time’ section on the back page. We suggest a particular day for ‘Gospel Family Time’ to help parents connect the name of the resource with the day on which they receive it from school (Wednesday). Since most of us are creatures of habit, nominating the same day each week helps families develop a new family custom of mid-week prayer. Moreover, Wednesday is the day which the Catholic Church dedicates to St Joseph, who is the Patron Saint of Families and Protector of the Church.
PARISHIONERS PRAYER CUSTOM
Forming hearts and minds to hear and understand the Word of God on Sunday
The success of the school mission is supported through parish prayer. The Parish version of The Wednesday Word is available free-of-charge on The Wednesday Word website (www.wednesdayword.org). This is a black and white resource which is designed for parish priests to download and print on the parish bulletin (or as a stand-alone leaflet) each week. It is offered as a gift for all parishioners to take home to be prayed on the following Wednesday, either individually or with other family members at home, or in small groups in the parish or the home. With its focus on the following Sunday’s Gospel, the Parish version invites all adult parishioners to encounter Christ regularly through this new Wednesday habit of prayer and reflection on the Word of God. This is a fruitful way to prepare for the hearing of the gospel at the following Sunday Mass. Moreover, it encourages parishioners to support the school mission by praying for (and in solidarity with) the families of our primary schools, thereby enhancing the spiritual communion between home, school and parish.
STRENGTHENING THE HOME, SCHOOL & PARISH PARTNERSHIP
When schools, parents and parishes work together, they deliver the best possible start for the faith-life of the children. A deep spiritual communion, based on the Word of God, between parishioners and school families on the same day each week will help build up the Body of Christ in school and in church and in the home. For more information please see: www.wednesdayword.org
Collecting data on Catholic schools and colleges
Each year the Catholic Education Service conducts a Census of every Catholic school and college in England and Wales. The data collected includes Catholicity and ethnicity of staff and pupils, staff qualifications, take-up of free school meals and data on RE teaching. In 2012 the response rate was nearly 98%, including both maintained and independent schools.
The majority of schools complete the Census using SIMS, a Management Information System (MIS). SIMS answers 80% of the Census questions automatically and therefore ensures a high degree of accuracy. Schools that do not use SIMS complete an Excel spreadsheet. The completed Census returns are processed by the CES who produce spreadsheet reports and raw data that are used by the CES the diocesan education offices.
In 2007, in response to requests that the CES Census data be made more widely available, the first Digest of Census Data for Catholic Schools and Colleges was published. The digest contains most of the summary data that is sent to the dioceses, presented in tables and graphs. However, it goes much further, by providing comparisons with national data and also by including additional data not included in the Census, specifically graphs representing information from the Income Deprivation Affecting Children (IDACI) index. It is now possible to identify trends in the data since 2007 and each year the digest includes comparisons with figures from previous years.
In addition to the digest, the CES also produces a Key Facts card the size of a bookmark. This is popular with some politicians and journalists who need access to recent figures on Catholic education in an overview format. The 2012 Key Facts card shows that, on the 2012 Census day there were 2166 Catholic schools in England, educating 808,207 pupils and employing 45,607 teachers. The CES Census data, when supplemented with other, value-added data, shows the quality of education that Catholic pupils are receiving. For example, 75% of English Catholic primary schools have Ofsted grades of good or outstanding, compared with 64% nationally. At GCSE, Catholic schools outperform the national average English and Maths SATs scores by 6%.
The Census gives the CES the authority to work with the Department for Education and Catholic MPs, Peers and Welsh Assembly members, Unions and other organisations with vested interest in Catholic schools and colleges. For example, to be able to quote figures from the 2012 Census which state that 34% of pupils in English Catholic maintained schools are from ethnic minority backgrounds, compared to 28% nationally, helps to argue against the charge that Catholic schools are ethnically selective.
Despite the evidence of the data, it is sometimes unwise to quote the results without looking at the broader picture. For instance, figures for take-up of free school meals suggest that there are fewer pupils in Catholic schools who are in receipt of free school meals than there are in all schools nationally (free school meals are available to children from parents who are working under 16 hours a week or are earning less than £16,190 a year). However, there is evidence to suggest that, although they are entitled to free school meals, some ethnic groups with a large representation in Catholic schools, are unwilling to take up their entitlement. The CES is looking to conduct further research using IDACI data to obtain an accurate measure of hardship in Catholic schools.
Over the past three years there has been a very gradual decline in the percentage of Catholic pupils in Catholic schools, particularly in secondary schools. Again, the reasons cannot be taken at face value and require further analysis. The rising pupil population in Catholic schools show that the quality of teaching and results in Catholic schools are attracting larger number of pupils from a range of faith and non-faith backgrounds, with raw figures of numbers of Catholic pupils remaining relatively constant. However, this statistic will require constant monitoring in future Census analysis as the CES remains concerned over the withdrawal of free school transport by many local authorities and the financial implications for many Catholic parents who wish to send their children to Catholic schools.
Whatever interpretations may be put on the Census data, the key facts speak for themselves: more children are being educated in Catholic schools and are achieving results that compete with the best schools nationally.
The 2012 Census digest will be available on the CES website (catholiceducation.org.uk).
Robert Rushworth is the Data Manager and Census Coordinator for the Catholic Education Service
Ten Ten Theatre
Educating children and young people with a sound understanding of Church teaching on relationships, sexual morality, love, marriage and family life remains one of the most challenging issues for any Catholic school. Problems arise: How we do we speak to children in their own language and culture but avoid reinforcing it? Beyond the rules and regulations, what exactly is the Church teaching? How am I supposed to teach it if my own life and values don’t live up to the ideal?
It was within this environment six years ago that Ten Ten Theatre – an award-winning Catholic theatre company – began devising, writing and producing a programme of Catholic Sex and Relationship Education which has now been established in hundreds of primary schools, secondary schools and parishes throughout the UK.
We take our inspiration from Blessed John Paul II’s teaching known as The Theology of the Body. It has been our task over the last few years to identify some of the core values of the teaching and write accessible, contemporary stories to explore these ideas. Karol Wojtyla himself was a keen actor and dramatist who believed passionately in the power of story and character to examine the human person. At Ten Ten we aim to do the same, encouraging our children and young people to reflect on their own lives and experiences in order to understand more deeply their Call to Love.
So, for example, the play “Chased” for the 13-14 age group follows the story of Scott and Carly who are so confused by the world they inhabit – pressure from friends, influence of the media, physical development – that they almost lose sight of their core dignity. And yet through the story they begin to understand the deepest longings of the heart: to be honourable, to be cherished, to be loved and to love as Christ loves. By taking the characters on this journey, and following it up with discussion, sharing, reflection and prayer, the young people understand what it means to be “in” the world but not “of” the world.
What about primary school children? How can we promote these values without corrupting children with sexual imagery and inappropriate information?
One example is “The Gift”, a lovely play for 7-9 year-olds. It tells the story of twins Harry and Kate who learn about the preciousness of gifts: Kate’s treasured musical box, given to her by her Auntie who passed away, is accidentally smashed to pieces by Harry. Harry doesn’t understand why Kate is so upset. “After all,” he says, “you can get another one from the pound shop… for a pound!” Through the story, both Harry and Kate (and the children watching) learn about the true value of gifts, what it means to make a gift of yourself and the importance of forgiveness. These are precisely the same values we promote through the play “Chased” but at an age-appropriate level.
In the follow-up workshop to “The Gift”, the actors ask the children to think more deeply about the best gift they have ever been given, who gave it to them and why is it so special. Sometimes the responses are material: Playstations and puppies are always very popular. Other responses tell of something deeper: my life or my baby brother. However, a few weeks ago at a school in Merseyside, one particular response really touched us.
“What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?” we asked.
“My mum,” said the boy.
“And why is she so special?”
“Because she adopted me and without her I wouldn't have been brought up happy,” said the boy.
The boy’s mother, in fact, also taught at the school. Later that day, when she was told what her adopted son had said, she crumbled into tears.
I can understand why. This woman has likely given her entire life as a gift to the boy, making a decision to love him, protect him and care for him with all of her heart. Surely this is one of the greatest gifts that a person could choose to give. And yet it is a gift that people throughout the world make moment after moment, day after day. Now, as a result of the visit of Ten Ten, this particular mother knew that her seven-year-old adopted son valued and appreciated the great sacrifice she has made.
Statement from Association of Church College Trusts on support for training to teach RE in 2013
STATEMENT FROM ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH COLLEGE TRUSTS ON SUPPORT FOR TRAINING TO TEACH RE IN 2013
Training to teach Religious Education in 2013:
Candidates can train to teach Religious Education (RE) through a PGCE course in 28 universities in England, 2 in Wales and 2 in Scotland. Although the government no longer provides a bursary for RE, there are other sources of support. For 2013-14, trainees in secondary RE could be eligible to apply to one of the Church College Trusts for a grant towards course expenses or living expenses. Candidates can check www.cstg.org.uk/acct for details of the trusts and foundations to which they can apply.
Outstanding leaders create outstanding schools. Do you have what it takes to be a Future Leader?
The Future Leaders programme is a fully funded leadership development programme for teachers who have the talent to become headteachers of challenging primary schools within two years through the belief every child can achieve, regardless of background. The attainment gap starts early and this needs to be addressed from the earliest possible moment, with our six year track record of training senior leaders in challenging secondary schools for 2013 we are expanding our flagship programme to include primary. It provides participants with the training and support to lead schools and make a measurable impact on the lives of children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
This year they are recruiting 25 committed and inspiring leaders from primary schools in London to join Cohort ’13 to start their individual journeys to headship.
Through on-going expert training, coaching and a network of advice from talented senior leaders, the Future Leaders programme gives participants the support, skills and strategies to lead challenging schools and to make measurable impact on the lives of children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Applicants should be qualified current or former teachers who have worked in a school in the last five years, with at least two years' proven management experience. See eligibility criteria
Benefits include:
•17 days of residential facilitated training (prior to the start of the school year)
•Remain in your current school (participating schools must meet our criteria)
•Bespoke career support as you progress to headship
•On-going coaching with a dedicated, experienced headteacher
•Frequent training from leading practitioners
•A social and online network providing tailored support and best practice
•Visit exemplary schools across England
More information can be found on the Future Leaders website and in the materials below.
You are invited to learn more about our leadership development programme, meet current participants and to meet like-minded peers at one of our information and networking evenings in London.
Thursday 14th March: 6.00 to 7.30pm – Future Leaders Assessment Centre, Unit 2 Bridge Wharf, 156 Caledonian Road, London, N1 9UU
A second date is currently being scheduled; please check our website for the latest information.
To RSVP please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For more information, to apply, or to nominate someone from your school, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on 0800 009 4142 (open Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 6pm).
Applications close: 19th March 2013
Religious Studies Teachers’ Conference
Wednesday 3rd – Friday 5th April
St John’s College, Durham
All Religious Studies / Theology / Philosophy of Religion teachers in secondary schools and colleges across the UK are welcome to register to attend.
The free conference package will include:
• engaging presentations on cutting-edge issues delivered by world-leading researchers and academics;
• formal and informal networking opportunities;
• a forum for sharing ideas about teaching and supporting your students;
• accurate and up-to-date admissions information so you can advise and support your students;
• all meals, refreshments, overnight accommodation for two evenings, and light entertainment.
Registration is now open! Due to the high volume of interest it is recommended that you book early to avoid disappointment.
Visit the teachers’ conferences website
For more information, please contact the conference team: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Education Sunday – a chance to support Catholic education
Education Sunday this year falls on Sunday 27th January and offers an opportunity for schools and parishes to work together to promote Catholic education in their community.
The relationship between parish and Catholic school has been central in preserving the Catholic ethos of the education. Following the re-establishment of the Catholic hierarchy in 1850 the building of schools was often prioritised over the building of Churches, a clear indication of the Church’s commitment to education and its role in the formation and development of the whole person. These schools were often used as the main place of worship with the whole Catholic community gathering together to support each other.
There remain many opportunities throughout the year for schools and parishes to come together to celebrate the faith and ensure the longevity and strength of Catholic education, but Education Sunday shines a spotlight on schools.
This is an opportunity, first of all, for parishioners to give financial, spiritual, practical and political support to our Catholic schools. There is a collection for Catholic education on the Sunday, and worship resources including homily notes and prayers are available from www.educationsunday.org.
But Education Sunday is also an opportunity for schools, their staff and pupils, to share their work, learning and experiences of Catholic education with parishes.
There are many other ways in which all Catholics can get involved in Catholic education from supporting school fundraising events to becoming a school governor.
In the ever changing education agenda, there is often need for parish support at a local political level. School transport remains a key issue in many areas with local authorities cutting provision, a move that disproportionately affects Catholic schools which have larger than average catchment areas. To find out more about home to school transport and how you can campaign in your local areas see www.catholiceducation.org.uk/index.php/campaigns/transport-toolkit
Free Schools Meals is another policy area which especially affects Catholic schools given our primary concern for the poor. The annual census data collected from all Catholic schools in England and Wales show that 20% of pupils at Catholic secondary schools in England live in the most deprived areas compared with 17% nationally. Free school meals are available to children from the lowest income families. They provide a hot meal at lunch which is important in providing both health and education benefits to the child and reducing financial burdens on the child’s family.
The CES remains concerned about the low take-up of Free School Meals in Catholic schools. Research from The Children Society show that of 1.5 million children in England who meet the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals, around 200,000 are not registered, and of those registered, a further 300,000 do not eat the meal. In addition to the health, educational and financial benefits to the child and their families, this also had a direct impact on the schools themselves. Changes in funding arrangements also mean that schools receive addition funding (£500 per pupil) based upon the number of children receiving Free School Meals.
The CES will be running a campaign this year to increase the take up of Free School Meals in Catholic schools and will be encouraging schools, parents and parishioners to spread the word on the role that Free School Meals have in ensuring the healthy development of children. Full details on how to claim Free School Meals and who is eligible can be found at www.catholiceducation.org.uk/campaigns/free-school-meals.
The CES together with CSAN (Caritas Social Action Network) are also supporting The Children Society’s Fair and Square campaign, who are petitioning the government for all children living in poverty to receive Free School Meals. To find out more about the campaign see www.childrenssociety.org.uk/fairandsquare.
Education Sunday also remains an opportunity to thanks those in parishes and staff in schools whose work ensure high standards of Catholic Education we have in schools today.
Safer Internet Day 2013
The Catholic Education Service along with Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) is supporting Safer Internet Day 2013 (SID2013) on the 5th February.
Safer Internet Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of online safety and the rights and responsibility that come with engaging with online content. For more information please see the SID website.
Future Leaders – Applications open for secondary – and now in primary!
For 2013 Future Leaders are looking to recruit 75 secondary Future Leaders from our six regions as well as 25 primary Future Leaders from London for the first time. The Future Leaders programme is for current, qualified teachers, who have the talent and commitment to become headteachers of challenging schools in an accelerated time frame (four years secondary, two years primary). Successful applicants to the programme receive 17 days of residential facilitated training, bespoke career support as they progress to headship, on-going coaching from an experienced headteacher, regular training opportunities, an online social network providing tailored support and best practice and visits to exemplary schools across England. This programme gives participants the skills and resources to lead schools that improve the life chances of children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Applications are open until 19th February for secondary and 19th March for primary. To apply, or for more information visit the Future Leaders website or call 0800 009 4142
Comic Relief & Red Nose Day
The CES has received queries from schools wanting advice on whether they can allow pupils to take part in fundraising activities for Comic Relief and Red Nose Day. These activities are often popular but concerns have been expressed that some of the money raised may be spent on either providing or promoting abortion services. The CES has raised these concerns recently with Comic Relief. Please see below the response from Comic Relief on these matters.
John Paul II Foundation for Sport
John Paul II Foundation for Sport, launched October 2011, aims through sport to enable everyone, in particular the young, to develop their full potential across the PIES - the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual aspects of their lives. This is guided by the principles identified by Pope John Paul II and set out in his declarations and writing.
With this in mind, for the past 16 months the Foundation has been supporting the creation of new sports clubs in parishes and schools across the country. The dream is to free up numerous school sports facilities, particularly in the evenings, weekends and school holidays, to enable local young people to get off the streets to concentrate their energies and so turn ‘gangs into teams’.
The first such club, Sports Squared, opened its doors in September 2012. S2 uses the sports facilities at Sion-Manning School and St Charles VIth Form College, and offers sessions in basketball, dance, fitness, football and trampolining for local children and young adults on Friday evenings.
Sports Squared is making an enormous difference to the community in Ladbroke Grove, London and is living proof just how valuable the work JP2F4S is undertaking.
For more information or if you would like to get involved, visit www.johnpaul2foundation4sport.org or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Catholic teacher interested in becoming a voice of the Church?
Catholic Voices 2013 Speakers' Training Programme
Applications are now open for North West England Speakers' Training programme which will run from September to December 2013.
Interviews will be on 26th and 27th April in Manchester, and 29th April in London.
The three residential weekends, each lasting from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, will be: 20-22 September, 18-20 October, and 15-17 November.
For more information about Catholic Voices, their mission and the Speakers' Training Programme please see the Catholic Voices website.
Invitation to the North West England Speakers' Training Programme
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an application form and further information
The deadline for applications is 28th March 2013
Newman University hosts 25th anniversary Cathedrals Group Choirs Festival
19 March 2013
The Cathedrals Group* 2013 Conference and Choirs Festival was hosted in Birmingham by Newman University.
The highlight of the 2013 Choirs Festival was a performance of the ‘German Requiem’ by Brahms, sung by a massed choir of 350 singers drawn from eleven Cathedrals Group universities. Conducted by Derek Wroughton, Choir Director at Newman University, and accompanied by the Birmingham Chamber Orchestra, the professional soloists were Mark Saberton (Baritone) and Caroline Lester (soprano).
The Choirs Festival, held in Birmingham Symphony Hall on Saturday 9 March, also featured a variety of choral pieces performed by the individual choirs. Distinguished guests included James Macmillan CBE, the celebrated composer and conductor who is an honorary graduate of Newman University, and The Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, who studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Photos of the Choirs Festival will be available shortly in the Feature Gallery of The Cathedrals Group website*.
This year’s residential conference for the Vice Chancellors and Principals of the 15 member institutions of The Cathedrals Group, focused on plans for collaborative projects and activities and how recent changes to the system of higher education created challenges and opportunities for member institutions, their staff and students. External speakers included Steve Egan, Deputy Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England;
Dr Graeme Atherton, Head of AccessHE and Director of the National Education Opportunities Network; Revd Janina Ainsworth, Chief Education Officer for The Church of England; and Revd Stan Brown, Chaplaincy Officer – Education for The Methodist Church.
Professor Joy Carter, Chair of The Cathedrals Group and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester said: ‘The Choirs Festival has a long history. Professor Grenville Hancox MBE founded this event 25 years ago. In 1988 he came up with the inspirational idea to bring together the choirs from the different institutions to meet each other and share their love of choral music. Since that time the festival has been held in venues around the country and we are delighted to be in Birmingham this year for a very entertaining and inspiring evening.
‘The Cathedrals Group is a group of 15 universities who all share a strong commitment to values. The values of social justice, respect for the individual and promoting the public good. These values are embedded in our histories as Church Foundation institutions. But they are also part of our futures, as we equip new generations of public servants and responsible global citizens. At our conference today we agreed our strategic plan and we look forward to further developing and promoting higher education rooted in our values.’
Future Leaders - further extension of applications and now also in the North West
Future Leaders is a fully funded leadership development programme for senior leaders working in challenging schools. Participants are committed to closing the achievement gap through the belief that every child can achieve. In 2006, we launched our flagship leadership development programme in challenging secondary schools in London. Since then we have expanded the programme to include six regions and we now have more than 300 Future Leaders working in over 200 schools across England.
We realise that the attainment gap starts early and that this issue needs to be addressed at the beginning of a child’s education. With this in mind we have extended our flagship programme to include 25 primary participants from challenging schools in London and the North West to join Future Leaders Cohort ’13.
The Future Leaders programme is for current, qualified teachers, who have the talent and commitment to become headteachers of challenging primary schools within two years. Successful applicants to the programme, which is delivered at no cost to the school or the participant, receive 17 days of residential facilitated training, bespoke career support as they progress to headship, on-going coaching from an experienced headteacher, regular training opportunities, an online social network providing tailored support and best practice and visits to exemplary schools across England. This programme gives participants the skills and resources to lead schools that improve the life chances of children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
We are looking for schools to nominate staff and to pass on this information to your senior leadership teams for the opportunity to take part in this fully funded programme, where the participant will remain in your school. For more information, please see the attached brochures and our website – www.future-leaders.org.uk. The application window is open until Monday 22nd April. To apply, or if you have any questions about the programme, please contact us on 0800 009 4142 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Future Leaders are holding two information sessions as follows:
North West Thursday 18th April 5.30-7pm
Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College, Urban Road, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 8HT
London Tuesday 16th April 6-7.30pm
Surrey Square Primary School, London, SE17 2JY
For anyone interested in hearing more, please RSVP by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 0800 009 4142
Major study of Secondary RE ITT published
News from The Cathedrals Group
At the Group's 2012 AGM, Janet Orchard gave a presentation on work she and Hugo Whately were conducting, funded by the Culhan St Gabriel's Trust, into initial teacher training for secondary RE teachers. This study has now been completed. It criticises reductions in the numbers of specialist RE teachers trained each year and calls for a richer professional formation that equips teachers to handle moral and ethical judgements in the classroom and enables pupils to understand the significance of religion in the modern world together with the beliefs and values that shape it.
Kolbe's Gift
In 1941, Polish priest Maximilian Kolbe entered the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz.
A gifted man, Kolbe was the founder of monasteries in Poland and Japan, produced a monthly magazine with a circulation of over one million, and formed an international movement to help bring people to the Catholic faith. Then, a chance encounter with an ordinary soldier, Franek Gajowniczec, led Kolbe to an extraordinary act – walking away from all that he had and could have achieved.
David Gooderson’s powerful play tells the true story of these two men. One became feted across the globe. The other faded into obscurity. This is their story.
***
“Kolbe’s Gift” will be a fully-staged by Ten Ten Theatre, including a cast of seven professional actors and a full professional creative team.
The Leicester Square Theatre is a 400-seat theatre in the heart of Central London staging an eclectic range of music, comedy and theatre.
Notre Dame de France Church which sits directly above the theatre, will host a range of related events including a photographic exhibition, a post-show talk and education workshops.
Ten Ten will run Education Workshops free of charge for secondary school students. These workshops will enrich the experience of watching the play for your students.
See the flyer below for more information.
New study of Primary RE initial teacher education
The Cathedrals Group
20 May 2013
A new study of the implications for RE of the ongoing changes to Initial Teacher Education and follow up concerns about the state of Primary provision in RE is underway by Janet Orchard and Lesley Prior. This follows Janet's previous work on secondary RE teacher education. Find out more about the study and how you can be involved in it by downloading background information here.
Providing protection for our children online
The internet can provide us with a vast world of knowledge, education and entertainment but, like most things, it comes with its risks. Children can often be exposed online to harmful content, such as sexually explicit or violent images. While it is the responsibility of the parents to protect their children online, it can be a complex task, which is why the government are putting measures in place to support parents in the protection of their children.
In recent months Catholic organisations such as the Catholic Education Service and CSAN have been supporting the government’s focus on online safety. There has been a conscious effort made to improve the online safeguarding of children and young people through putting in place measures such as a block on pornography through public Wi-Fi as well as the appointment of Claire Perry MP as the Online Safety Advisor. Whilst the Catholic Church greatly welcomes these changes we feel that there is more to be done to protect the wellbeing of our children and young people.
Exposing children to harmful or explicit content can potentially damage their ability to build relationships and can create mental health issues, as well as having an impact upon the child’s emotional state and wellbeing. Recent research by the Children’s Commissioner has shown that a significant number of children and young people are exposed to unwanted sexual content online despite the efforts taken to increase internet safety.
In light of this, many Catholic organisations and agencies are showing their support for the Online Safety Bill sponsored by Baroness Howe of Idlicote. The bill proposes an ‘Opt-in’ system which will require internet providers to provide a service which automatically excludes adult content, but will provide access to such content to adults who want it and can provide notification and proof of age.
We sincerely hope that the government will offer its support to this bill and the actions it proposes.
Living Wage Week
Living Wage week is approaching quickly and the CES, as an active participant in the Living Wage initiative, are eager to support it. We have been working recently alongside various organisations to help promote and implement the Living Wage resolution in dioceses and schools. The Living Wage week, which will begin on 4th November 2013, is aimed at promoting the concept of the Living Wage and celebrating the achievements of the initiative so far. In the lead up to 4th November we have produced a range of resources containing information for schools on how the Living Wage may affect them and also how to become accredited. So what exactly is the Living Wage?
As we all know employers must pay workers at least the national minimum wage, in order to ensure fair and just payment for their labour. Unfortunately however, we are seeing living costs rise year upon year and it is becoming increasingly difficult for people on the lower end of the pay scale to survive on the national minimum wage. This is where the Living Wage comes in...
The Living wage rate has been calculated by independent authorities and reflects an amount which is considered to be necessary to cover the costs of basic everyday living. There are two Living Wage rates; the current Living wage rate outside of London is £7.45 per hour, while the London rate is slightly higher at £8.55 per hour. This is due to living costs in London being higher than other parts of the country. These rates are adjusted annually to make sure that they remain in line with living costs, and so these rates will change in November, with the new rates being announced during Living Wage week.
Why are The CES supporting Living Wage Week?
In November 2012 the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales endorsed the Living Wage and passed a resolution encouraging its organisations to work towards its implementation. As a result, there are now many Catholic organisations taking an active interest in the Living Wage initiative.
The Church has a mission to the poor and a commitment to combating poverty. In the current economic climate wages are simply not stretching far enough and as a result of this 60% of the children deemed to be living in poverty in Britain today are growing up in working households. The Church wants to strive to ensure that work will always provide a way out of poverty. Therefore, we at the CES believe that paying the Living Wage is a practical step that we can take to support the Church's mission to the poor; putting our Catholic Faith into action.
Citizens UK, who are a founding member of The Living Wage Foundation, have stated that over the past decade 45,000 families have been lifted out of working poverty as a direct result of the Living Wage. This shows just how much of a positive impact implementing the Living Wage can have and for this reason, we are encouraging Catholic schools and colleges to consider taking steps towards becoming accredited Living Wage employers.
Taizé School & College Weeks 2014
Taizé is an international and ecumenical monastic community founded in 1940 in the village of the same name, in Burgundy (France). From the 1960s the Community has welcomed young adults (minimum age 15) for week-long international meetings. 80,000 young people from all over the world participate in these meetings each year.
In 2014, some weeks in June and July are designated as school and college weeks for which school groups (Years 10-13; Scotland: S3 - S6) and 6th-form college groups are especially invited.
For more infomation please click on the link below.
What the week is about?
A stay at Taizé helps young people mature in a safe but challenging environment. Each day includes biblical reflection, small international discussion groups, some practical activity and prayer with the whole community. It is a kind of slice of Christian community life which, because it is experienced rather than just talked about, is accessible to those who do not think of themselves as religious, or who are of other faiths. Nearly all school groups in previous years have included non-Christian young people.
Dates and times 2014
• Any of these weeks are suggested for schools and colleges in England and Wales: 22-29 June, 29 June - 6 July, 6 - 13, 13 - 20 or 20 - 27 July.
(Scottish schools can also come earlier in June.)
Easter break is also possible. Other weeks by arrangement.
• Groups should arrive if possible on Sunday and leave the following Sunday, from midday on. Groups may leave instead around 10pm on Saturday, after the evening service, if students need to be home on Sunday.
For more infomation please click on the link below.
CATSC & CESEW Conference for Leaders of Catholic Secondary Education
Thursday and Friday, 30-31st January, 2014
Thistle Hotel, Marble Arch
"Where All Are Valued"
Our speakers so far include Bishop Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, Fr. Christopher Jamison, OSB, Director of the National Office for Vocation; Lord Nash, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools; Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service for England and Wales (CES); and John Pridmore, a former East End 'enforcer' who became a Christian, joined a Franciscan order, and now devotes his life to fighting gang culture.
Also joining us will be representatives from CAFOD, CES, the DfE "Pupil Premium" Team, and the CATSC President, Mary Sainsbury, and other members of the Executive.
For more information and the booking form, please click on the attachment below.
CAFOD has launched a major emergency appeal and urgently needs your school's support.
The most powerful storm ever to hit land has caused devastation on an unprecedented scale in the Philippines. 9.8 million people have had their lives torn apart. But we can still help them as they try to recover and rebuild their lives. CAFOD is working with its partners Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Philippines to provide urgently needed food, emergency shelter and essential household goods.
Your support will help local Church partners throughout the region provide emergency shelter, food, clean water and essential household items such as blankets, clothes and cooking equipment to those who have been left with nothing.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference has expressed its full support for the CAFOD emergency appeal. Chris Bain, CAFOD Director says: "However distressing the images of devastation and stories of suffering caused by Typhoon Haiyan, we cannot waste time on despair or shock – not when there are still lives to be saved, and communities in such desperate need of help."
Thank you so much for your support.
"Sadly, there are many, many victims and the damage is huge. Let's try to provide concrete help." – Pope Francis
Srebrenica Memorial Week - July 6th-13th
Part-funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), Remembering Srebrenica is a UK charity that seeks to raise public awareness of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide, during which more than 8,000 mainly Muslim Bosnians were killed. Their project aim is to teach current and future generations about the consequences of hatred and intolerance in all communities. As part of their mission, they promote Srebrenica Memorial Day on 11th July with the aim to raise public awareness with the aim of promoting good community relations and rejecting hatred and its causes.
Experiencing university as a Catholic student
When I first arrived at Oxford University I was thrilled to discover that there was a Catholic church – the Oxford Oratory – less than two hundred metres away from my college. Even the small city of Oxford can seem dauntingly large to a new student, and so the Oratory quickly became the church which I regularly attended. I enjoyed many wonderful masses at the Oratory; however, I couldn't help feeling that there was a distinct lack of a student community there, which, as a local parish church isn't really that surprising.
As I began to explore Oxford further, I occasionally went to other college masses, and my interest in the University's Catholic Chaplaincy grew. I gradually started to attend weekly talks there, but some part of me always felt that I had left it too late to become involved with the community itself. When I started my Master's degree last year, I was thrown into an experience of Oxford which I had not anticipated – most of my friends had left the city and I no longer lived in college, meaning that my nearby haven of the Oratory suddenly seemed a lot more distant. As with many unexpected or difficult situations, this was a blessing in disguise as it opened my mind to the large number of other churches in Oxford which had previously been second in line to the local Oratory.
As a result of being one of a small group from my college who stayed on in Oxford, the start of my Master's year was rather lonely, and I felt compelled towards the Chaplaincy. My reluctance to become involved during my undergraduate degree for fears of it being "too late" were immediately assuaged as I felt a sense of openness and acceptance, and I felt that I had finally found the sort of student community for which I had been searching over the last three years. Here was a group of like-minded students who were experiencing similar daily life in Oxford, but who also understood my commitment to the Catholic faith and the important role it plays in one's life as a student. I quickly became involved in helping with the weekly CAFOD soup lunches and met many wonderful people. As I started going to the chaplaincy more often, I realized how much I appreciated my experiences of the Oratory, and I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to alternate between churches and communities during my last year in Oxford.
One of the greatest privileges about experiencing this city as a Catholic student was the huge choice of churches and masses which were right on my doorstep. During the past four years, and especially over the last nine months, I have had such a wonderful experience of the Catholic communities in this city; and, be it the Oratory, the Chaplaincy, or college masses, I have always felt supported and able to speak to people in times of need, or just as a friend.
Stephanie has just completed a Masters in Musicology at the University of Oxford
DfE Consultation on the 'Proposed New Independent School Standards'
The Catholic Education Service has today responded to the Department for Education (DfE) consultation the 'Proposed New Independent School Standards'. The consultation document can be found here.
A number of schools have contacted us with queries relating to the consultation. Please be assured that we do not consider the proposed requirements to present any problems for Catholic schools.
Catholic schools are already required to comply with the requirements of the Equality Act and, as public bodies, specifically with the Public Sector Equality Duties. These are set within the context of the freedoms that apply to schools with a religious character. (Please see CES guidance on the Equality Act and the Public Sector Equality Duty)
The CES has already engaged in discussions with the DfE about 'British values'. In the regulations this consultation refers to, these values are set out as; "democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs". None of these ought to be problematic in our schools.
The CES is aware that the DfE is intending to make the same requirements of all schools and will be updating guidance to help schools to understand what this should look like. The CES is of course engaging with the DfE in relation to the production of that guidance.
Children in Need 2014
The CES has received queries from schools wanting advice on whether they can allow pupils to take part in fundraising activities for Children in Need. These activities are often popular but concerns have been expressed that some of the money raised may be spent on either providing or promoting abortion services.
The CES has raised these concerns recently with Children in Need. Please see below the response from Children in Need on these matters:
"You can find information and guidance on the type of projects BBC Children in Need funds in the Guidance section of our website. BBC Children in Need does not fund projects for pregnancy testing; or advice, information or counselling on pregnancy choices."
AUSTIN FRIARS ST MONICA’S SCHOOL - A level results in 2013
Press Release - 15th August 2013
Students at Austin Friars St Monica’s School have recorded 61% overall of top A*, A and B grades at Advanced level in 2013 and an overall pass rate of over 99%.
Headmaster, Matt Harris, said: “This year’s students have achieved some excellent A level results improving on the very pleasing results last year. We are delighted that over a third of all the grades obtained were A* or A and I would like to congratulate all our students on their hard work to achieve this success.”
Top-scoring students are Ed Ball (4A*), James Leitch (2A*2A), Beth Fenna & Fiona O’Hare (2A*1A), Amy Hill and Pui Yu Liu (1A* 2A) and Hamish Matthews (3A).
Ed has a scholarship to read Theoretical Physics at Imperial College, James has an Organ Scholarship and is reading Mathematics at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge University, Beth is looking to study Accounting and Finance at Leeds, Fiona is off to Glasgow to read Dentistry, Amy is to read Philosophy at St Andrews, Veterinary Medicine beckons for Pui Yu at Edinburgh while Hamish is taking a gap year before reading Medicine in 2014.
For further information please contact:
Julie Sutherland
Marketing Manager
Austin Friars St Monica’s School
Etterby Scaur
Carlisle
CA3 9PB
Tel 01228 550760
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Barlow RC High School & Specialist Science College
Excellent results, a national award and now an Ofsted report that praises outstanding leadership, exemplary methods of safeguarding, an innovative curriculum and significantly above average attainment.
The continued success of The Barlow RC High School in Didsbury has been recognised in a recent Ofsted Report. Inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education who visited the school on 16th and 17th October 2012, praised pupils, staff and governors and stated that ‘under passionate, visionary leadership, the school is going from strength-to-strength.’
Inspectors were so impressed with standards across the board; they upped the school’s grading to ‘Good’. They added that The Barlow would achieve the ‘outstanding’ status in the near future, by following recommendations set out to them.
Headteacher Claire McCarron said, “We are delighted the Inspectors recognised that the school has improved rapidly in all aspects since our last inspection only 18 months ago. It is a great testament to the hard work of staff and students alike. We are securely on track and just one short step away from becoming an outstanding school; a goal that we are determined to achieve. We have already implemented additional changes to deliver the areas of further improvement identified in the report.”
Inspectors reported that The Barlow is innovative in developing the curriculum with attainment significantly above average. Pupils achieve well because teaching is consistently good. They stated that behaviour is also consistently good; outstanding in some lessons and that The Barlow has exemplary methods of safeguarding pupils. Bullying is not tolerated and staff at the school go the extra mile to ensure all children are safe and happy.
It has been an excellent year for The Barlow with GCSE results at the Didsbury school rising significantly for the fourth year in succession. In 2012, 95% of the pupils achieved at least 5 A*- C grades, with 74% including English and Maths. These outstanding results placed The Barlow yet again as one of the highest performing secondary schools in Manchester. In July 2012, The Barlow also received national recognition from The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) for achieving some of the fastest improving GCSE results in the country.
Paul Chidgey, Chairman of the Governing Body at The Barlow added, “The new, rigorous Ofsted framework raised the bar, yet the report confirms progress at The Barlow is exceptional. Alongside the excellent exam results and our award, it is a wonderful reflection of the hard work and enthusiasm of all the staff who Ofsted state, ‘share the same vision to make the school even better and know how they are going to achieve this goal.’”
The full Ofsted report can be viewed at www.ofsted.gov.uk
For more information please contact:
Kathryn Carr
Marketing & Communications Manager
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 0161 445 8053
All they want for Christmas is for their CD to raise money for charity
Students and staff at The Barlow RC High School in Didsbury have followed in the footsteps of some of the world’s biggest popstars by making their own charity Christmas recording.
Music Teacher Mr Meakin and Year 11 music student Matthew Fitzgerald produced the eight track CD, featuring festive performances from staff and students across the year groups. A special Barlow staff rendition of Band Aid’s ‘Feed the World’ has proved very popular, with numerous requests for it to be played during Form Time, in the last week of term.
The CD features a range of tunes, from traditional Christmas carol ‘O Holy Night’ to modern classics including Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas is you’ and an acoustic take on Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’. School rock band ‘Wake up call’ live up to their name with their version of Blink 182’s ‘I won’t be home for Christmas’.
Headteacher Mrs McCarron said, “Our truly talented students worked hard to produce the CD; they performed brilliantly. We've just had our Ofsted inspection which stated that the school is going from strength-to-strength and remarked upon our flexible and innovative curriculum and stimulating and exciting enrichment activities. As well as an excellent education, we give our students the opportunity to use all their talents, to help them prepare for the lives they have ahead of them.”
Students at The Barlow have always been good at coming up with new ideas to raise money for charity and this year, has been no exception. They have truly embraced the new addition of a recording studio to the school, following its recent refurbishment, and spent December lunchtimes recording the Christmas CD and producing copies to sell for charity. Budding artists got in on the action and created five different pieces of artwork, which were made into CD covers.
The school’s recent Christmas concert infront of a crowd of over two hundred people showcased many of the featured artists and gave the school the ideal opportunity to sell the CD; it went down a storm with the families who attended the celebration. Students have been snapping up copies of the CD in school, with all the money raised going to Manchester’s own Cornerstone Day Centre and orphaned and abandoned children in Bolivia.
Tracks featured on the CD
1.Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Matthew Fitzgerald
2.All I want for Christmas – Amber Crain
3.Baby it’s cold outside – Victoria Butler & Thomas McCormack
4.I won’t be home – Wake up Call
5.Jingle Bell Rock – Olivia Muldoon & Sophie Fitzgerald
6.Last Christmas – Olivia Williams
7.O Holy Night – Mr McGuire
8.Feed the World – The Barlow Staff
For more information please contact:
Kathryn Carr, Marketing & Communications Manager
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 0161 445 8053
Joy at bus decision - English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College and St Teresa’s RC Primary School
DELIGHTED pupils are celebrating after controversial plans to scrap free buses to and from faith schools were shelved.
Hartlepool Borough Council was considering axing £133,000 of denominational transport funding in a move which would have affected almost 400 pupils at two town schools.
But senior councillors on the cabinet committee have scrapped the plans and told senior officers to find the budget cuts from elsewhere, to the delight of staff and students at English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College and St Teresa’s RC Primary School.
The council, which needs to save between £18m and £20m over the next five years, was considering the faith transport because it is not a statutory requirement.
But Michael Lee, headteacher at English Martyrs School, said: “I am delighted and relieved that the cabinet committee has seen sense and parents of both schools will be relieved the current service is being maintained.
“It has been a worrying time for everyone, especially the parents.”
Around 340 pupils at English Martyrs and 33 at the primary school would have been affected from September 2013 if the transport had been cut.
Ahead of the meeting, a consultation revealed 98.3 per cent of people, or 581, were against the plans.
Mr Lee, who spoke at the meeting, said that was an emphatic response and the people should be listened to.
He added: “If you go against, then there needs to be a pretty strong argument in order to do so, that argument is contained in the report but I don’t think it is a strong argument.
“I can’t think of any front line service that is more important than getting children to school and getting children to the school of their choice.”
If it had been axed it would also have meant 22 pupils facing an unsafe walking route to school.
Mr Lee added: “I don’t need to spell out the implications if anything where to happen to those students.”
He argued it also wasn’t fair to change the arrangements of parents whose children are halfway through their time at the school and the potential impact on admissions.
The original decision to scrap the transport had been taken earlier this year, but a last-minute budget amendment ensured the transport would remain in place for this academic year.
But now the council’s cabinet committee has changed its mind.
Mary Frain, headteacher at St Teresa’s RC Primary School, said: “I am very pleased and relieved that we have had the support of the councillors and the mayor on this issue.”
During the cabinet meeting, Miss Frain said the consultation had been heavily focused on the impact on secondary school children and said it wasn’t until three weeks ago that the impact on her school was made clear in cabinet papers.
Miss Frain told councillors her school and parents had been treated “unfairly”.
Figures showed 33 pupils at the school benefit from home-to-school transport, including 32 through denominational eligibility and one because of an unsafe walking route.
Leeds Trinity granted university title
Leeds Trinity has been awarded the title of university by the Privy Council and will now be known as Leeds Trinity University.
Professor Freda Bridge said: "I’m delighted that we have now been granted university status – it is a major milestone in our 46 year history that recognises our collective hard work and achievements. In all but name, Leeds Trinity has been functioning as a university since its award of taught degree awarding powers in 2009, and I’m delighted that the government’s decision will now allow us to use the title ‘university’. I’d like to thank all staff, students and governors who have worked hard to contribute to this momentous event in our history.”
Ed Anderson, Chair of the Board of Governors at Leeds Trinity, added: “The Board of Governors is thrilled that Leeds Trinity has been awarded university title. We are proud of the fantastic experience we provide to our students, which is reflected in student satisfaction surveys and the employment record of our former students. This announcement marks an exciting new chapter for Leeds Trinity, and the city of Leeds, and we are proud to be a part of the offer for people who wish to pursue their University education in Leeds.”
For more information please contact Tania Clarke on 0113 2837304 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Christmas Cheer at Saint Paul’s!
Pupils spread the spirit of Christmas and brought seasonal smiles to pensioners’ faces when Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe extended their Christmas cheer to the elderly of the parish by inviting them to join with the school’s pupils and staff in celebrating Christmas.
The event was hosted by the high school pupils who greeted the guests as they arrived then kept them entertained throughout the afternoon. The event provides a valuable link with the older generation in the community.
As well as well as a hearty festive feast, there was a visit from Santa who had a gift for every guest. Saint Paul’s pupils sang their favourite Christmas carols around the tree then the school and its guests enjoyed a raffle with wonderful food hampers as the special prizes.
The school received many warm words of thanks and appreciation from its guests, both on the day and in letters after the event.
One of the pensioners who attended said “The party was superb, we all really enjoyed it. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming and we were extremely well looked after.”
Another added: “We could see that weeks of preparation had obviously gone into this special event, and it seems that everyone’s hard work certainly paid off. We had a fantastic time and were very pleased to have been invited.”
“The event provided our pupils with an invaluable experience of volunteering, citizenship and socialising to which they responded magnificently,” said Mr Daron, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “The elderly visitors were full of praise for the staff and pupils.”
Mr Daron added: “Each year we all enjoy the Christmas party; it is a special time for the pupils, teachers and members of the community who are able to share this wonderful celebration spanning the generations in Wythenshawe.”
The Barlow named one of the top 10 schools in England for PE
15th February 2013 - Press Release
The Barlow RC High School in Didsbury has been named one of the top ten schools in England for its PE provision. On 14th February, the school’s Head of PE was presented with an award in recognition of the school's excellent practice and approach to physical education. Head of PE, Mrs Penny Scott received the award from Edward Timpson MP at the Department for Education’s Offices in London.
The Barlow's PE department has been awarded The Association for Physical Education's (afPE) Quality Mark; the benchmark and industry standard for high quality PE. The mark celebrates excellence in The Barlow's management and delivery of PE and sport. The Barlow was just one of ten schools across England given this independent endorsement.
Head of PE, Mrs Penny Scott said, “We are delighted with the Quality Mark award. It recognises the strength and quality of physical education and sport at The Barlow. All young people are entitled to benefit from a high quality physical education. We deliver strenuous activities that challenge our students, invest in competitive sport and provide a wide variety of extra-curricular sporting activities. Not only do PE lessons contribute to healthy and active lifestyles, there is significant evidence to show that they can help improve behaviour, develop key skills such as leadership and confidence and make a difference to the learning of children, more widely across the curriculum."
Edward Timpson MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (children and families) is responsible, amongst other things, for sport in school within the Department of Education. The Quality Mark is awarded to schools following an inspection by the afPE, similar to those conducted by Ofsted. A copy of the report is sent to the Department of Education. The afPE Strategic Lead, Sue Wilkinson said, “The afPE Quality Mark Award for Physical Education and school sport is only awarded to those schools who can demonstrate a commitment to improvement and a high standard in the subject. The Barlow High School is a worthy recipient of this award and we are delighted that Edward Timpson MP was able to present Penny with the award at the ceremony.”
It has been an excellent year for The Barlow with GCSE results rising significantly for the fourth year in succession. In 2012, 95% of the pupils achieved at least 5 A*- C grades, with 74% including English and Maths. These outstanding results placed The Barlow yet again as one of the highest performing secondary schools in Manchester. In July 2012, The Barlow also received national recognition from The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) for achieving some of the fastest improving GCSE results in the country and in October, an Ofsted inspection report praised pupils, staff and governors and stated that 'under passionate, visionary leadership, the school is going from strength-to-strength.'
For more information please contact:
Kathryn Carr, Marketing Manager
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
0161 445 8053
Saint Paul’s School Parliament
PRESS RELEASE
February 2013
Pupils at Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe have been voting for their own School Parliament as part of a new school initiative to involve more of the pupils in the life and decision-making processes of the school.
All pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 were eligible to stand for election to the School Parliament. Candidates ran their own election campaign and their campaign pledges were on a display board. The rest of the year group then voted for their three favourite candidates who will duly sit on the School Parliament for that year. The three pupils from each year who received the most votes on the day were appointed MSPs, Member of School Parliament.
All the representatives ran the Election Day with the help of Manchester City Council who provided some very impressive official equipment such as booths, ballot boxes and ballot papers.
The purpose of the School Parliament is to give pupils a real voice within a manageable system and encourage students to take ownership and responsibility for their school. It will also enable staff to gain student perspective whilst at the same time raising awareness about democratic systems and rights in line with Citizenship education.
“The School Parliament represents the student voice at Saint Paul’s. We plan to meet monthly to discuss the various issues,” explained Ms Michelle Davies, Humanities teacher and organiser of the School Parliament. “The MSPs will wear a different tie to the rest of the pupils. The tie will have a gold stripe on it so pupils are aware who they are.”
Ms Davies added: “The School Parliament will be very important to the school, and as a result the parliament will be very much involved in school life.”
“The School Parliament will be an important consultative body within the school and will be taken seriously,” commented Mr Wiktor Daron, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s.”It gives the opportunity for students to put forward recommendations to the management, staff and governors of the school.”
Saint Paul’s Pupils Make Palm Frond Crosses
March 2013 - Press Release
The rustle of palm fronds and the gentle snap of the strands broke the peaceful silence at Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe last week as pupils prepared the delicate palm crosses that they and their families would wear in celebration of Palm Sunday.
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week for western Christians, the most sacred period on the Christian calendar. The week is marked by a multitude of emotions. Christians enter the week rejoicing and waving palms as they recall Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, then suffer with Christ through his trial and crucifixion until Easter Sunday and the celebration of his resurrection.
“The pupils were very enthusiastic and patient as they tackled this intricate and delicate craft. I have found that our pupils love making things when there is a purpose,” explained Ms Catherine Platt, School Counsellor. “We wanted to stimulate our pupils’ reflection as Easter approaches. Recalling the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, churches distribute palm leaves in remembrance of people who waved them and carpeted his path with them. One of the things you can do with these palm leaves is to fold them into crosses”
Ms Platt added: “Making palm crosses is a long-held Catholic tradition which we are keen to keep alive at Saint Paul’s. My Uncle Frank had taught me to make the crosses, he tells stories about how they had to make the palms last during the Second World War as they couldn’t access new palms and it has always remained in my mind. Also, one of our pupils, Excite Mukalazi, who has come from Uganda showed us how they make the palm crosses there.”
“We encourage our pupils to reflect on their faith and its meaning to them and activities such as this help us to do so,” commented Mr Wiktor Daron, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “The small crosses made of palm leaf, act to remember the palm leaves which the people of Jerusalem waved when Jesus arrived, and to remember the cross on which he died.”
Notes for Editors
1.The 2012 GCSE results for Saint Paul’s Catholic High School were its best ever with 90% of pupils achieving 5 A* - Cs. 59% of pupils gained 5 A*-C plus English and Maths. This is the eighth year in succession that the school has improved its GCSE pass rate.
2.Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country in 2012.
3.At the last Ofsted inspection of the school in March 2010 the following comments were made by the inspectors: “Good teaching enables students to make good progress and achieve well. Relationships between teachers and students are strong. They result in good behaviour.”
The report stated that the school is “enabling students to learn effectively and make good progress. Attainment is rising rapidly as a result. Achievement for all students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those with English as an additional language, is good.”
4.The Ofsted report is reinforced by the preceding inspection of the school by the Diocese of Shrewsbury under the guidance of the Bishop of Shrewsbury. The Diocese report stated “Saint Paul’s is a good Catholic school. The Head and Senior Leadership Team have a clear vision ….. an outstanding feature of the school is the pastoral care of students and the support of staff.”
5.Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
6.The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
7.Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources. Saint Paul’s is currently undergoing a total rebuild with the new school buildings due to open in November.
8.The aims of the school are to:
•Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
•Provide teaching of the highest calibre
•Promote excellence in all areas
•Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
•Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More information about Saint Paul’s Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or contact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 437 5841.
A 'Valentine' Fund Raiser for Go Shop
All Hallows Catholic College – Press Release
The student-led Management Team of Go Shop at All Hallows literally 'rose' to the challenge of addressing the Valentine Market by selling beautifully hand-wrapped single red 'roses' on 14 February 2013.
The Pod was decorated with giant red hearts to attract the attention of students and teachers and quickly became a 'hive' of activity as the 'roses' went on sale. Half the roses sold out immediately, with the other half selling easily throughout lunch time.
Saint Paul’s Helps St Ann’s Hospice
PRESS RELEASE - March 2013
Saint Paul’s Helps St Ann’s Hospice
Pupils from Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe have been working hard to raise money for St Ann’s Hospice, one of the UK’s largest adult hospices which is based close to the school in Heald Green.
Fundraising, which involves the pupils working together to make a positive difference, is a well-established feature of life at the school. One group of pupils have been selling teddies in the school at form time and at the school’s Christmas Fayre and have raised almost £400.
St Ann’s Hospice helps those people who have progressive and life-threatening illnesses – as well as supporting their carers and families. The Hospice helps around 3000 people, every year, across Greater Manchester.
“St Ann’s provide their care free of charge,” explained Ms Anita Keegan, the teacher at Saint Paul’s who has been supporting the pupils in these fund raising activities. “The NHS pays just one third of the funding necessary to keep the hospice open and effective, the hospice depends upon the generosity of the public for the remaining funds. We felt that, as the hospice is situated locally and impacts on our community, we should support our pupils in their fund raising initiatives.”
Miss Keegan added: ““Working with others toward a common goal is an important part of school fundraising. Our hope is that, through their exposure to a range of activities and causes, our pupils will develop a sense of the type and scale of need that exists in modern life.”
“Pupils are encouraged to consider their place in the wider community, develop a strong sense of social responsibility and support those less fortunate than themselves.” commented Mr Wiktor Daron, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “We see charity fundraising events as a key part of the school’s ethos It makes me very proud to see the enterprise and enthusiasm displayed by our students as they seek to raise funds in support of people less fortunate than themselves.”
Carlisle Students makes West End Debut
8th March 2013 - Press Release
Sarah Hughes (aged 15) has been awarded a coveted place in the National Youth Music Theatre’s production of ‘The Other School’. Out of the 3 thousand people who auditioned from across the country, she was part of a group of 300 to be called back to audition again in February. Only 20 people successfully landed a role in this summer’s musical, and Sarah was one of the talented few.
Saint Paul’s Young Engineers
A group of Year 11 pupils from Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe, who are interested in pursuing a career in the dynamic and innovative engineering industry, recently visited the Engineering training company, SETA Engineering, in Stockport. They were given a tour of the facilities, practical demonstrations and had the opportunity to speak to some of the engineering employers.
SETA is one of the leading engineering training companies; they want to inspire the next generation to enjoy engineering and develop a passion for the industry. SETA aims to secure and promote engineering for the future in Manchester and give young people the choice to consider engineering as an option for a career Mr Alan Chapman of Saint Paul’s explained: “The visit was a development around our working relationship with SETA. Our pupils’ perceptions about the world of work and the engineering environment are varied and this visit has allowed them to develop a clear understanding of the possible roles which they could fill in an engineering organisation.”
Mr Chapman added: “Engineering is a rewarding career choice for young people who have a good level of education; at Saint Paul’s one of our aims is to create the engineers of the future. Job prospects in engineering are great. Between 2010 and 2020, engineering companies are projected to have 2.74 million job openings across a wide range of engineering fields.”
“The engineering industry is in the position to be able to offer exciting careers to young people,” commented Mr Wiktor Daron, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “At Saint Paul’s we take pride in helping to inspire the budding engineers of the future and events such as this allow the pupils to make a more informed choice about what career route is best for them.”
Student beats 6,000 hopefuls to secure esteemed Rolls Royce Apprenticeship
13th March 2013 - Press Release
A student from Austin Friars St Monica’s School has beaten 6000 people to a higher apprenticeship offer with Rolls Royce.
Will Ritchie (aged 18) has been offered a conditional place on the Rolls Royce higher apprenticeship scheme, starting in September. Rolls Royce, one of the world’s leading providers of high-performance power systems will take on 10 apprentices in September, out of 6000 people that applied. From the 6000, 40 people were invited to interview, of which 10 were successful.
He will study at Nottingham University for 3 years where he will gain a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, as well as practical learning with world class engineers at the Rolls Royce site in Derby.
Of his achievement Will said; “I am looking forward to starting. The degree covers various business areas such as civil engineering, defence services, naval marine and manufacturing. I am mostly looking forward to learning the trade whilst working on the famous Boeing 747 engines.”
The higher apprenticeship will see Will learn on the job whilst getting paid for his work, as well as studying for his demanding university course.
Mr Stuart Parry, head of Sixth Form is delighted for Will; he said “Part of Will’s success can be attributed to his all-round education through extra-curricular activities. Will is the 1st XV Rugby Captain and his leadership potential has clearly been recognised.”
- ENDS -
For more details please contact:
Andrew Hullock
Marketing Administrator
Tel: 01228 550719 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Notes to editor
Austin Friars St Monica’s School is the independent day school for girls and boys aged 3-18 years in the centre of Carlisle. The School has a strong reputation in Cumbria and South West Scotland for providing an all-round, high quality education that meets the individual needs of each child.
Academic achievement and strong pastoral care are at the heart of what we do. Focusing on a traditional form of education, every pupil at Austin Friars St Monica’s is also encouraged to take part fully in the all-round life of the School with an extensive range of extra curricular activities available.
If you want further information on what we provide, please go to our website at www.austinfriars.cumbria.sch.uk
World Book Day Celebrated at Saint Paul’s
PRESS RELEASE - March 2013
The Time 2 Change Project at All Hallows
The Time 2 Change Project has been celebrated in The Romero Centre with 10 local primary schools sending their winning teams to compete in a 'final showdown' during Fairtrade Fortnight.
The challenge set was to design a mode of transport for a named foreign country that was fit for purpose in being able to transport Fairtrade products, taking into account terrain, climate etc. Teams had to purchase resources and materials using the appropriate foreign language and also redesign the country's flag to incorporate a fairtrade theme.
There was a requirement that the newly designed flag should appear somewhere on the mode of transport. With each team working on a different country, pupils came up with a fantastic range of ideas for how Fairtrade products could be transported including sledge-like transport and balloon powered vehicles. Judges Pete Pealing of Peaks and Plains Housing Trust and Tom Agar of MS Events Ltd had a difficult job choosing a winner as the standard was so high across all the schools that took part. In the end, after careful examination of all the vehicles, presentations from each team and some tough questioning,
The 'Overall Winner Award' for 2013 went to St. Gregory's, with Gawsworth coming in as 'Runners Up' and The 'Best Team Log Award' went to St. Alban's.
As an added bonus, the competition, which started back in September 2012, raised over £2,000 for more than 15 different charities. Year 12 BTEC Business students who judged the first round of the competition out in primary schools acted as event organisers for the Final Celebration Day. They did a fantastic job throughout the planning stages and on the day itself, gaining excellent feedback from the competitors and visitors who watched the presentations.
The whole project has demonstrated how well enterprise activities work when Sixth Form Business students combine their talents with the talents of young entrepreneurs still in primary school.
Sporting Champion Inspires Saint Paul’s Girls
Pupils from Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe were delighted to attend a recent Us Girls event at Royal Oak and Baguley boxing gym with Olympic gold medallist and Us Girls president, Nicola Adams. At the event Nicola donated the £3,000 which she had won on Family Fortunes to the sports initiative.
Nicola wasn’t the only top class athlete to attend the event, England and Everton player Amy Kane was also there having a kick around with the girls.
The event, which included a number of sporting activities aimed at encouraging young women aged 14 to 25 to get active and have some fun.
Us Girls is a Sport England-funded initiative that aims to get 30,000 young women living in disadvantaged areas more active, by providing them with opportunities to play sport within their local communities.
Us Girls is being delivered by the Active Women Consortium, a body led by StreetGames. Us Girls is receiving £2.3 million of National Lottery investment from Sport England as part of its ‘Active Women’ campaign to tackle the gender gap in sport.
“I’m looking forward to my role in helping Us Girls encourage more young women to enjoy sport and ensure Britain’s Olympic legacy continues,” Nicola Adams commented. “It was great to meet some of the Us Girls participants, answer their questions and tell them that sport can change their lives for the better.”
“We are delighted to be involved in this monumental project which aims to deliver a far reaching legacy for women's sport well beyond the London 2012 Olympic Games,” explained Ms Laura Wild, Head of PE at Saint Paul’s. “We introduced the Us Girls project at school in January and it is becoming more and more successful especially with the self defence and boxing skills activities. It was great for our pupils to have had the opportunity to meet Nicola Adams; a fantastic female athlete who was able to encourage the girls so they could see that taking part is really valuable. She is a great character and really engaged the participants, motivating them to do more and do better.”
Ms Wild added: “At Saint Paul’s, we have listened to our pupils about what type of sports interest them and as a results of introduced activities such as Zumba, roller skating, boxercise and aerobics. We have found that this has inspired female students to take part in more sport and physical activity.”
“We are pleased to be involved with this pioneering new national scheme which has been designed to improve the well-being of young women,” commented Head Teacher, Mr Wiktor Daron. “A key part of the programme will be to develop the girls’ confidence and self esteem as well as their sporting skills. I’m sure that Nicola Adams will have a massive impact on the charity and help engage with many more young women. We really need to show that sport is a fun thing for girls to do.”
The Us Girls project launch can be seen on the Channel 4 news report:
http://www.channel4.com/news/olympic-boxing-champion-nicola-adams-on-girls-in-sport
Saint Paul’s have a successful Us Girls project which includes boxing, self-defence and Zumba. This takes place on Fridays at 5.30pm at the school. There is no cost involved for those who would like to participate. For further information please contact Saint Paul’s on 0161 437 5841.
Students take over the workplace
All Hallows Catholic College – Press Release
Year 9 students of All Hallows Catholic College were recently given the opportunity to take over the workplace and work with adults for the day. In the end 125 students were involved in the day and spent it in a wide variety of workplaces with family members and with staff in the college; including airports, cabinet makers, residential nursing homes, hairdressers, shops, restaurants and many more.
Papal Gift from St Francis Bradford
News Release
Children from St Francis Catholic Primary School have sent a gift to Pope Francis.
The children decided to write to welcome the new Pope, Francis I, after hearing he had chosen the name of their patron saint, St Francis of Assisi.
The children also decided to give Pope Francis a signed, limited edition painting as a welcoming gift from the children, staff, parents and governors of the school and the parishioners from the Parish of Our Lady Immaculate & St Francis here in Bradford.
The painting, commissioned by the governors of the school, was created by Bingley artist Jane Fielder to celebrate the strong home, school and parish community.
Eve Underwood and Abigail Dawson the Chair and Secretary of the School Council said “We wanted to welcome Pope Francis. We hope that Pope Francis will enjoy looking over the St Francis community in Bradford and praying for us. At school and church we will keep praying for Pope Francis.”
Bingley artist Jane Fielder said she was excited by the news and felt “lucky to be part of something so special.”
Contact for additional information –
Daniel Copley
Headteacher
Tel: 01274 638520
Healthy Start to the Day at Saint Paul’s
Press Release - March 2013
School Receives Congratulations from Minister of State for Schools
March 2013 - Press Release
Saint Paul’s One of the 100 Most Improved Schools in the Country!
Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe was delighted to be recognised nationally as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country. The school recently received official recognition of their achievement from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools.
The school has been highlighted as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country in terms of the progress the pupils have made between their Key Stage 2 results (i.e. when the pupils left primary school) and their GCSE results.
Rt Hon David Laws MP, Minister of State for Schools, said: “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you on the excellent GCSE performance of your pupils in 2012.”
Student offered prized Theatre Scholarship at a top USA University
26th March 2013 - Press Release
A student from Austin Friars St Monica’s School has been offered a Scholarship in Design/Technical Theatre at George Washington University, Washington DC.
Thanks to his outstanding acting talents Will Low (aged 17), has successfully been offered a scholarship at one of USA’s top universities, studying for a degree in Liberal Arts. George Washington University, situated 4 blocks away from the White House has over 20,000 students enrolled and is regarded as one of the country’s best Universities.
He will study at George Washington University for 4 years, where he will graduate with a minor in Liberal Arts, and a major that he will choose after his freshman year. Will has family that live in the nearby state of Virginia, but has opted to live on the University Campus.
His freshman year begins in August and of his achievement Will said “When I found out I had been offered the scholarship I rang my Mum. I just couldn't believe it!”
Will’s audition consisted of 3 stages. To be considered for the Scholarship Will uploaded 2 video monologues to YouTube for the University to view. He also had to provide 3 references from professionals in the areas of arts, music as well as a private instructor. Finally, he also had to write an essay describing the current role of art in his life and how he would like to see it continue.
Mr Malcolm Judge, Head of Drama said “I have taught and directed Will for a number of years and he has always impressed me with his talent and enthusiasm. The Scholarship is thoroughly deserved”.
For more details please contact:
Andrew Hullock
Marketing Administrator
Tel: 01228 550719 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Notes to editor
Austin Friars St Monica’s School is the independent day school for girls and boys aged 3-18 years in the centre of Carlisle. The School has a strong reputation in Cumbria and South West Scotland for providing an all-round, high quality education that meets the individual needs of each child.
Students to represent Cumbria in National Science Competition
2nd April 2013 - Press Release
Four students from Austin Friars St Monica’s School will represent Cumbria in the National Final of the “Top of the Bench” competition which this year will be held at Loughborough University.
The Austin Friars St Monica’s School team, who were crowned Cumbrian champions after winning the regional “Top of the Bench” Chemistry competition in December, will be travelling to Loughborough University, in early April where they will compete against teams from 30 other regions.
“Top of the Bench” is a national competition which is run by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). It pits teams of the best 14-16 year olds in the country against each other in a competition which tests their practical skills and chemical knowledge beyond the Chemistry GCSE syllabus.
Each team comprises of pupils from years 9-11. The Austin Friars St Monica’s team consisting of Kathryn Orr, John Colwell, Robbie Ewart and Jake Kirkpatrick are confident going into the final after beating other Schools from across Cumbria, including West Lakes Academy and St Bees.
Mrs Rosie Fielder, is the Head of Chemistry at the School. She said “This was an ideal opportunity for the students to stretch themselves beyond the syllabus and meet other like-minded pupils in a friendly, but competitive environment.”
The winners of the competition will be crowned National Champions and will receive a trophy and a cheque for the School to spend on new Chemistry equipment.
- ENDS -
For more details please contact:
Andrew Hullock
Marketing Administrator
Tel: 01228 550 719 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Notes to editor
Austin Friars St Monica’s School is the independent day school for girls and boys aged 3-18 years in the centre of Carlisle. The School has a strong reputation in Cumbria and South West Scotland for providing an all-round, high quality education that meets the individual needs of each child.
Academic achievement and strong pastoral care are at the heart of what we do. Focusing on a traditional form of education, every pupil at Austin Friars St Monica’s is also encouraged to take part fully in the all-round life of the School with an extensive range of extra curricular activities available.
If you want further information on what we provide, please go to our website at www.austinfriars.cumbria.sch.uk
Saint Paul’s Helps Caritas Charity
PRESS RELEASE - April 2013
Charity fundraising events are part of life at Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe. Recently, Year 8 pupils have been working hard to raise money for Caritas, a Catholic charity aiming to eradicate poverty and social injustice.
The fundraising is part of the year 8 ICT Charity Project unit. The pupils have decided to raise money in school by activities such as cake sales. The pupils also made up food hampers and asked staff and pupils to donate items such as tea, coffee, sugar, soup and cakes; the hampers are aimed at providing a little Easter cheer to the children, mothers and babies and elderly people at Caritas.
“Caritas provides assistance to the most vulnerable regardless of race or religion, on behalf of Catholics around the world,” explained Ms Nafeesa Hamid, IT Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “The charity’s main areas of work are in emergency response, sustainable development and peace building. To do this they focus on six key areas: peace and reconciliation, emergencies, economic justice, climate change, HIV and Aids and women and migration.”
Ms Hamid added “Not only do fundraising activities help others, they also build group cooperation and are an important part of personal development. Our hope is that, through their exposure to a range of activities and causes, our pupils will develop a sense of the type and scale of need that exists in modern life.”
“We are proud of the contribution that our pupils make to a wide range of charities,” commented Mr Wiktor Daron, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “We encourage our pupils to consider others in need and to help them through giving of both their time and effort. The organising of fundraising events is therefore a key part of the school’s ethos.”
All Hallows Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy - A Level Results
2013 A Level Results Press Release
Sunshine, Smiles and Success for Students at All Hallows
It was sunshine and smiles for Sixth Form students at All Hallows Catholic College collecting as they collected A Level results supporting the college’s reputation for nurturing outstanding academic achievement for all. With an overall pass rate close to 100% and with over 60% of students receiving A*-B grades, nearly all students met or exceeded their challenging targets. Principal, Tony Billings said ‘Our students have really taken to heart our college motto ‘aspire not to have more but to be more’, and their results reflect their hard work and dedication to study. These results are well deserved and we wish them the very best for the future.’
A group of top performing students managed to gain two or more A*-A grades with one of their number, Alex Warwicker, succeeding in passing seven A levels, 6 at A*-A, with one B. These happy students with their destinations are: Beth Clayton (2A*,1A,1B, Newcastle, Biomedical Science), Patrick Devaney (3A,1B, Leeds, Natural Science), Olivia Ford (3A, Manchester, Medicine), Laura Hallworth (3A, Nottingham, Nutrition) Victoria Moorhouse (2A, 1B, Law), Abi Plant (2A,1B,1C, Leeds, Psychology) Stuart Plant (3A* Nottingham Trent, Sport Science), Matthew Shenton (1A*,1A,1B, York, Mathematics), Elinor Terry (1A*,2A,1B, Glasgow, German). Mrs Garvey, Assistant Principal, Head of Sixth form said ‘We congratulate these students on top performance at A*-A. We also say a big ‘well done’ to all top performing students who met and exceed their target grades. This has been another superb year for smiles and tears of joy on results day!’
Beaming with a smile, Olivia Ford who lives in Macclesfield said ‘I’m over the moon, I’m going to study medicine which has always been my dream – I just want to thank all the teachers, All Hallows has been a great place for me.’
Brother and Sister Dream Team
As a brother and sister from Bollington receive their A level results on the same day, one can only imagine the anticipation in the Plant family. Stuart and Abi Plant are a brother and sister ‘dream team’ who are justifiably ‘over-the-moon’ with their results. Stuart, who is delighted with his 3A* grades will be progressing to Nottingham Trent University to study Sports Science after a gap year playing cricket in Australia. Meanwhile his Sister, Abi is taking up a place at Leeds university to study Psychology with her 2A, B and C grades. Stuart and Abi who live in Macclesfield were delighted with their results and proud mum said ‘I keep telling everyone All Hallows is a great school. My children have had all the right advice and support they needed.’
International Successes at All Hallows!
All Hallows is proud of it emphasis on learning in an international context, with pride of place being given to languages and it seems language is no barrier to learning at All Hallows! Students from the Phillipines, Poland and Bulgaria, for whom English is a second language managed to attain some fantastic A level results. These students and their destinations are: Juliene Dolot (Phillippines, 1A, 2B, Sheffield, Accounting & Finance), Wiktoria Segelin (Poland, 2A, 2B, 1C, Geography), Anna Paa (Phillipines, 2B, 1C, Nottingham Trent, Media), Marta Tomczak – (Poland, 1B,1C 2D, Manchester Metropolitan, Business and Languages), Nadia Mihova (Bulgaria, 2A*,1D, Salford, Counselling and Psychotherapy). Olivia Segelin said ‘I’m so happy can go to my first choice university’ and Juliene Dollot who joined All Hallows in Year 9 said ‘The teachers are great and I’m really pleased my hard work has paid off.’ Marta Tomczak added ‘I was nervous about getting the results but so pleased I’ve got my university place.’
Notes to the Editor
1.All Hallows is an 11-18 Catholic Voluntary Academy and National Support School located in Macclesfield, Cheshire.
2.Students are a very wide geographical area beyond Macclesfield, including, Handforth, Wilmslow, Stockport, Poynton, and Congleton.
3.OfSTED and denominational reports
Saint Paul’s Win Catholic Cup!
April 2013 - Press Release
It’s been a fantastic football season for Year 8 pupils from Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe which has culminated in them winning the Greater Manchester Catholic Schools cup.
The Cup Final match, when Saint Paul’s came up against the current cup holders, Cardinal Langley, was extremely tense and hard fought. The game in normal time finished 3-3. Neil Kengni-Kuemo scored with 5 minutes played. Langley equalised after 20 minutes. Jack Doherty scored a free kick from half way line which went top right corner on 25 minutes. In the second half Saint Paul’s were 3 - 2 down and then Neil Kengni-Kuemo scored his second with 2 minutes to play of normal time crashing the ball across the opposition goal keeper. Extra time was close with numerous chances for both sides but no goals sending the tie to penalties. Beat Cardinal Langley 4 - 2 on penalties.
“Winning the Greater Manchester Catholic Schools cup was an amazing achievement for our Year 8 footballers,” explained Mr Darren Mawn, second in PE at Saint Paul’s. “Football is extremely popular at Saint Paul’s. The pupils have a real passion for the game and this is a well deserved achievement for them.”
“We have some avid football fans at Saint Paul’s and it is great to see this interest and commitment reflected in this achievement,” said Mr Wiktor Daron, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “I am very proud of all those who took part; the team has shown great spirit and determination.”
--- ENDS ---
Notes for Editors
1.The 2012 GCSE results for Saint Paul’s Catholic High School were its best ever with 90% of pupils achieving 5 A* - Cs. 59% of pupils gained 5 A*-C plus English and Maths. This is the eighth year in succession that the school has improved its GCSE pass rate.
2.Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country in 2012.
3.At the last Ofsted inspection of the school in March 2010 the following comments were made by the inspectors: “Good teaching enables students to make good progress and achieve well. Relationships between teachers and students are strong. They result in good behaviour.”
The report stated that the school is “enabling students to learn effectively and make good progress. Attainment is rising rapidly as a result. Achievement for all students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those with English as an additional language, is good.”
4.The Ofsted report is reinforced by the preceding inspection of the school by the Diocese of Shrewsbury under the guidance of the Bishop of Shrewsbury. The Diocese report stated “Saint Paul’s is a good Catholic school. The Head and Senior Leadership Team have a clear vision ….. an outstanding feature of the school is the pastoral care of students and the support of staff.”
- Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
- The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
- Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources. Saint Paul’s is currently undergoing a total rebuild with the new school buildings due to open in November.
- The aims of the school are to:
- Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
- Provide teaching of the highest calibre
- Promote excellence in all areas
- Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
- Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More information about Saint Paul’s Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or contact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 437 5841.
Learning Chinese at Saint Paul’s
April 2013- Press Release
Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe recently extended their language teaching to include Chinese. They are being taught by the school’s resident Chinese teacher, Mr Yantong Li, from Beijing.
The Year 7 and 8 pupils are not only learning Mandarin Chinese but they are also discovering traditional Chinese cultural activities such as Knot making, Origami and Tai Chi.
Mr Li is here as a cultural envoy to exchange ideas on teaching and breakdown cultural barriers between China and Britain. He was here last year and did a lot of work with the Saint Paul’s feeder primary schools so a lot of the children he is teaching already have a little knowledge of Chinese.
The school has developed a partnership with the Beijing Huimin School which is where Mr Li has come from. Both schools are benefitting through the sharing of expertise and practice, as well as providing opportunities for students and teachers to experience vastly different cultures.
“The subject opens pupils' eyes to the biggest country in the world, it hones general language skills and engages them, especially the boys who relate to the visual and spatial aspects of the language,” explained Mrs Helen Farrar, Head of Modern Languages at Saint Paul’s. “The children are enjoying it as it is something very different to the language lessons they are use to and it can be a subject in which pupils who struggle with other languages do well.”
Mrs Farrar added: “The subject is engaging the pupils, they love learning about the culture and it is very motivating. The whole programme has clearly given many pupils a feeling of confidence and achievement.”
“The partnership has been an excellent opportunity to continue to develop and strengthen our links with China,” said Saint Paul’s Head Teacher, Mr Wiktor Daron. “Working with the Beijing Huimin School has allowed us to enrich our curriculum and support language awareness and learning; and to provide professional development opportunities for staff.”
--- ENDS ---
Notes for Editors
1.The 2012 GCSE results for Saint Paul’s Catholic High School were its best ever with 90% of pupils achieving 5 A* - Cs. 59% of pupils gained 5 A*-C plus English and Maths. This is the eighth year in succession that the school has improved its GCSE pass rate.
2.Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country in 2012.
3.At the last Ofsted inspection of the school in March 2010 the following comments were made by the inspectors: “Good teaching enables students to make good progress and achieve well. Relationships between teachers and students are strong. They result in good behaviour.”
The report stated that the school is “enabling students to learn effectively and make good progress. Attainment is rising rapidly as a result. Achievement for all students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those with English as an additional language, is good.”
4.The Ofsted report is reinforced by the preceding inspection of the school by the Diocese of Shrewsbury under the guidance of the Bishop of Shrewsbury. The Diocese report stated “Saint Paul’s is a good Catholic school. The Head and Senior Leadership Team have a clear vision ….. an outstanding feature of the school is the pastoral care of students and the support of staff.”
5.Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
6.The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
7.Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources. Saint Paul’s is currently undergoing a total rebuild with the new school buildings due to open in November.
8.The aims of the school are to:
•Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
•Provide teaching of the highest calibre
•Promote excellence in all areas
•Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
•Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More information about Saint Paul’s Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or contact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 437 5841.
Saint Paul’s Donate the Gift of Water
May 2013 - Press Release
CAFOD, the Catholic Association for Overseas Development, has been benefitting from the fundraising by pupils from Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe. The charity works in many countries to tackle poverty, encourage development and fight for global justice.
The pupils worked hard to raise sufficient money to donate water for a family as they thought that having a glass of water or taking a shower were things that we take for granted everyday and that water should be available for everyone. They did some research and found that boreholes can give people around the world drinking water which won’t kill them and clean water to wash in which will keep them safer from infections.
“At Saint Paul’s we firmly believe in engendering in the pupils a sense of social responsibility and a culture of being givers not takers,” explained Mrs Helen Farrar, Head of Languages at Saint Paul’s. “The pupils did a fantastic job with this fundraising; I am very proud of them and impressed with their attitude and enthusiasm.”
“The school actively supports a number of local, national, and international charities,” commented Mr Wiktor Daron, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “An appreciation and understanding of the ways in which charities help the less fortunate also forms an important part of our curriculum. We encourage our pupils to consider others in need and to help them through giving of both their time and effort.”
--- ENDS ---
Notes for Editors
1.The 2012 GCSE results for Saint Paul’s Catholic High School were its best ever with 90% of pupils achieving 5 A* - Cs. 59% of pupils gained 5 A*-C plus English and Maths. This is the eighth year in succession that the school has improved its GCSE pass rate.
2.Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country in 2012.
3.At the last Ofsted inspection of the school in March 2010 the following comments were made by the inspectors: “Good teaching enables students to make good progress and achieve well. Relationships between teachers and students are strong. They result in good behaviour.”
The report stated that the school is “enabling students to learn effectively and make good progress. Attainment is rising rapidly as a result. Achievement for all students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those with English as an additional language, is good.”
4.The Ofsted report is reinforced by the preceding inspection of the school by the Diocese of Shrewsbury under the guidance of the Bishop of Shrewsbury. The Diocese report stated “Saint Paul’s is a good Catholic school. The Head and Senior Leadership Team have a clear vision ….. an outstanding feature of the school is the pastoral care of students and the support of staff.”
5.Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
6.The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
7.Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources. Saint Paul’s is currently undergoing a total rebuild with the new school buildings due to open in November.
8.The aims of the school are to:
•Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
•Provide teaching of the highest calibre
•Promote excellence in all areas
•Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
•Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More information about Saint Paul’s Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or contact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 437 5841.
Cathedral filled with Music in Spectacular Recital
20 May 2013 - Press Release
Students from Austin Friars St Monica’s School have held their annual Summer Recital at Carlisle Cathedral.
Students from the Senior School took part in the school’s annual Summer Recital which gives individuals the opportunity to perform in the grandeur of the Cathedral. The evening included musical performances from talented pupils across the school and included a mix of classical and contemporary pieces which were performed in front of a large audience.
Throughout the evening different groups performed. These included; ‘Some Strings Attached’, the Saxophone Ensemble, the Guitar Ensemble, the Junior and Senior Choir, the Brass Ensemble and the Swing Band.
The evening was introduced by ‘Some Strings Attached, a group of talented musicians from the Senior School, who gave a ‘Salute to Abba’ performance, playing ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘Money, Money, Money’ as well as an arrangement of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’.
The Junior and Senior School Choir performed an enthusiastic rendition of ‘Rhythm of Life’ and the Senior Choir alone took to the stage to sing ‘Close to You’ followed by a brilliant rendition of ‘Moon River’.
During the evening the audience were treated to three solo performances from A Level students Amy Hill, Will Low and James Leitch. With guitar in hand, Amy sang a beautiful version of Radiohead’s ‘Fake Plastic Trees’, Will performed ‘When the Saints Come Marching In’ on the tenor saxophone and James nearly lifted the Cathedral roof off with his performance of ‘Hymne d’Actions de Grâces’ on the organ. All three are coming towards the end of their Upper Sixth year and the Summer Recital marks the last musical performance of their school careers. It always brings mixed emotions for the performers.
Mr Charles Hattrell is the Director of Music at the School and helped to bring everything together. He said: “The Summer Recital brings together pupils and staff from the Senior School in a celebration of music. This concert always marks the end of the musical line for the Upper Sixth students and it adds to the special nature of the occasion. It was a splendid evening with some spectacular musical performances.”
- ENDS -
For more details please contact:
Andrew Hullock
Marketing Administrator
Tel: 01228 550 719 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Notes to editor
Austin Friars St Monica’s School is the independent day school for girls and boys aged 3-18 years in the centre of Carlisle. The School has a strong reputation in Cumbria and South West Scotland for providing an all-round, high quality education that meets the individual needs of each child.
Academic achievement and strong pastoral care are at the heart of what we do. Focusing on a traditional form of education, every pupil at Austin Friars St Monica’s is also encouraged to take part fully in the all-round life of the School with an extensive range of extra curricular activities available.
Once again, public examination results have been exceptionally good this summer. At A level, 61% of grades were either an A or B grade with the overall pass rate once more 100%. At GCSE, a stunning 50.8% of overall grades were either A* or A with more than a third of students recording an outstanding 8 or more top A* or A grades. A School record-breaking 97% of students achieved 5 or more A* - C grades.
If you want further information on what we provide, please go to our website at www.austinfriars.cumbria.sch.uk
Saint Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy Basketball Season 2012-13
23 May 2013
Basketball is a sport which has steadily grown in the last 7 Years at Saint Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy. We have been fortunate this Year to have had the opportunity to work with a highly qualified American Basketball coach who was brought over by the Academy to work with our gifted and talented pupils in Year 10 and 11. For two weeks in October the boys were put through their paces with intensive coaching sessions for 4 hours a day and this has helped the young men to have another incredible season.
The Year 11 team, for the fourth Year running, are undefeated in local league fixtures and have won the league and county cup for the fourth Year in a row. They have also competed in the English Schools premier competition and have won every single game. They go into the Final Fours at Nottingham Wildcat Arena on Saturday 18th May for the third straight Year with the opportunity to be the best school in the country at this age group.
The Year 10 team have also had a good Year, narrowly missing out on winning the local league by 1 point. In the County Cup they made the final but unfortunately lost out by a small margin. All of the Year 10 players were a credit to the school and are working hard in training ready for next Year.
We have had a very productive season overall and have an up and coming Year 8 team who are showing signs of developing into a very strong team and these young men qualified for a Derbyshire areas final and finished in third place.
Pupil from St Marks West Essex Catholic School given award
Thomas Reynolds was awarded a citizenship award by Bishop Thomas McMahon at Brentwood Cathedral in recognition of his role as an altar-server.
Thomas is an altar-server in his local parish and at staff/student Masses every Friday at 8.15 during term-time. Thomas feels strongly about his faith and says it has provided him with a direction in his life.
As he says, “If you believe in God you find ways to be better.”
We believe that Thomas is an excellent example of a young man who puts his faith into practice by serving others and, as a result we nominated him for this award.
The photograph shows Thomas, with his award, accompanied by Miss Heaphy outside Brentwood Cathedral. He received his award from Bishop Thomas McMahon alongside pupils also receiving awards from 60 other schools in the diocese; including Thomas’ brother Euan, a pupil at St Alban’s. It was both a moving and inspirational occasion hearing of the fantastic work being carried out by our young people in Catholic schools.
Saint Paul’s in Partnership with Chinese School
PRESS RELEASE - June 2013
All Hallows Catholic College needs YOU to pledge Support for Local Fruit
School children compete nationally to gather the most declarations of support for local fruit.
Children of All Hallows are calling on the people of Macclesfield to help them in their quest to gather as many declarations of support for local fruit as possible.
As part of the fruit-full schools project, All Hallows is one of 200 schools across England, which will be aiming to collectively gather over 100,000 pledges in support of local produce from their surrounding communities.
The school, having already established its own orchard as part of the project, will be in competition to gather the most reasons why their community loves and supports local produce. If they win, they will be awarded funds to commission a local artist to create a permanent fruit related art installation in their school grounds.
In addition, anyone that gives their reason why they love local fruit will be in with a chance of winning a stunning new fruit press from Vigo Presses (www.vigopresses.co.uk) worth £220.00!
The competition comes as a part of the ‘Fruit-full Schools ‘project, a scheme designed to help increase the numbers of the UK’s orchards, whilst reviving some of the long-forgotten local fruit varieties. The school has now participated in the project – developed by the national school grounds charity- Learning through Landscapes, for four years.
The Fruit-full project is helping children across the UK to establish and maintain traditional fruit orchards within their school grounds in partnership with their local communities. All Hallows now hopes to put Macclesfield’s love for local fruit on the map, by asking them to show their support by submitting a short reason why they love local food. Martin Blades (Assistant Principal) explains, “There are so many reasons to support locally grown fruit- it increases business for local farmers and trades, helps preserve the heritage of local varieties, conserves energy in food miles and therefore fresher, more nutritious fruit can be consumed. We are hoping our community will join the school by pledging support by adding a short reason why they love locally grown produce”.
Pledging support costs nothing and takes less than a minute online on the Fruit-Full Schools website www.fruitfullschools.org alternatively you can visit All Hallows to pledge at the school.
Faith comes to Thanet
On Thursday 23rd May and Friday 24th May Years 2, 3 and 4 put on a performance of “The Faith Comes To Thanet” for their parents and the local parish and visitors to Ramsgate for the local Saint Augustine’s Celebration Week organised by Father Marcus Holden – the school’s parish priest. The children of St. Ethelbert’s Catholic Primary School told the story of the Romans taking Anglo Saxons to Rome as slaves and of Pope Gregory The Great in 595AD seeing these blonde headed slaves and saying that these “are not angles, but angels!”
The Pope then sent Saint Augustine – a Benedictine Monk - to England and he landed on The Isle of Thanet where he met King Ethelbert – who was a pagan and Queen Bertha who was already a Christian. St. Augustine was allowed to set up a church in Canterbury and eventually baptised King Ethelbert – who our primary school is dedicated to - and began bringing his missionary work to England.
The play was also filmed in three parts with Year 2 class acting the scene of the Pope seeing the slaves, Year 3 class being the missionary monks on their journey from Italy to Thanet and Year 4 class showing the monks in Thanet meeting King Ethelbert and Queen Bertha and teaching the locals to read and write.
The children have had the help of Chatham House Grammar School to make DVDs of the play and they have asked to send a copy to Pope Francis, The Queen and our Archbishop. Father Marcus thanked the staff and children , ”On behalf of the parish I would like to thank you all for an amazing production of 'The Gospel comes to Thanet'. The parishioners are still talking about it and it was one of the highlights for me during St Augustine's Week.”
Everyone in the school helped – Mr Dave Fry – the school caretaker – with painting the marvellous backdrops, Mr Bishop – Year 3 teacher - with the hymns and music, the parents with costumes and helping the children to remember their lines and Mrs Butchard-Thursten – the Deputy Headteacher- with writing and directing. David Turner - the Chair of the Governors said he was delighted in the way the school supported the local parish initiatives about ‘The Catholic Year of Faith’ and John Letts – the Headteacher – is immensely proud of the children and the way they really enjoyed the drama of their religious education lessons and entertaining the general public. “The children are very, very excited about the DVD and keep coming to me with a new list of people to send it to”.
Flying the flag for Eco Schools
13th June 2013 MEDIA RELEASE
Staff and pupils at St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School in Atherstone are celebrating being awarded the Eco Schools’ Green Flag award for environmental sustainability for the third time in a row.
The “Green Flag” is the highest award available through the scheme.And because this is the third time the school has won it, St Benedict’s will now be assisting and inspiring other schools to become more sustainable.
All the pupils carry out eco-jobs within the school, for instance composting fruit and vegetable waste, keeping classroom doors closed to retain heat as well as switching off lights
Eco Coordinator Niki Furlong Smith explained that the whole school community constantly work together to think ecologically. "The Eco team deserve special recognition for their hard work and dedication. Everyone at St Benedict's is ecologically aware - we are green through and through! The Eco Schools inspector was particularly impressed with the work we have done with our school grounds to provide the children with growing areas and that the food we grow is cooked and served in our school kitchens."
Head teacher, Mrs Susan Shannon, added: “The importance of our children learning about how to protect the planet they live on and preserving it for their children cannot be overstated. Well done to Mrs Furlong-Smith and the whole school for their efforts on a daily basis.”
Local radio station BBC Coventry & Warwickshire was so impressed with the school's eco efforts that they invited 2 of the team, along with Head teacher Mrs Shannon, to come to their studios and be interviewed live on air. Theo and Sophie from Year 6 were very excited to do the interview and found it to be a great experience.
ENDS
Notes
1.For further information contact Head teacher Mrs Susan Shannon – 01827 712320
2. Eco-Schools is an international award programme that guides schools on their sustainable journey, providing a framework to help embed these principles into the heart of school life.Schools follow a simple seven-step process which helps them to address a variety of environmental themes, ranging from litter and waste to healthy living and biodiversity. Pupils are the driving force behind Eco-Schools – they form and lead an Eco-Committee and help to carry out an audit to assess the environmental performance of the school. In conjunction with the rest of the school and the wider community, it’s the pupils that decide the environmental themes they want to address and how they’re going to do it.Schools work towards gaining one of three internationally recognised awards – Bronze, Silver and the Green Flag award, which symbolises excellence in the field of environmental activity. Bronze and Silver are both self accredited through this website and Green Flag is externally assessed by Keep Britain Tidy volunteers.
3.In November 2012 St Benedict’s was rated as Good by Ofsted under the tougher new inspection regime and noted children’s exemplary behaviour.In March 2013 the School was also rated Good with Outstanding features for RE in an Diocesan inspection.
4.St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School is based in Church Walk, Mancetter, Atherstone, Warwickshire and accepts children from all backgrounds in the North Warwickshire area. See www.stbenedictsonline.co.uk
Voyage of Scientific and Engineering Discovery at Saint Paul’s
Press Release - June 2013
Budding young engineers from Years 7 and 8 at Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe recently took part in two Science and Engineering based Challenge Days aimed at encouraging their creativity, innovation and problem solving skills.
The challenges were designed to grab the pupils’ attention, test their skills of teamwork and problem solving and develop their powers of innovation, creativity and communication. The innovative event allows the pupils to delve into the intriguing worlds of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
Saint Paul’s has specialist status for Engineering and has a distinctive science and engineering ethos running throughout the school and the school is very keen to inspire and engage the pupils in Science and Engineering.
During the Challenge Days, the pupils took part in a number of science and engineering based activities including an international marble challenge, a labyrinth puzzle challenge, t shirt design and printing and circus skills. The pupils worked in small groups to carry out a series of tasks where they researched, designed and built solutions to the real life engineering problems
The event allowed the pupils to work together to solve problems, enhancing their team building and communication skills. All those involved commented that they had experienced a challenging but fun day and got to engage in activities which they wouldn’t normally do, for example, in the International Marble Run the pupils had to design and construct a structure that would allow a marble to travel across the continent.
The pupils were observed and then nominated for a series of awards: best team, best team player, best leadership skills, kindest participant, most enthusiastic participant, most competitive participant, most considerate participant, most creative participant and the participant with the best ideas. The awards were then presented in a special assembly to highlight some of the important skills of the pupils.
The pupil comments included: “Everyone was included which was great”, “It was great to work with other people that we don’t usually get to work with” and “The people who ran the day were kind, funny and helpful”.
Ms Catherine Collier, Deputy Head at Saint Paul’s, said: “The challenges are designed to capture the students' imaginations and interest. They experience an innovative programme of discovery with hands-on design and practical work giving them a peek into the life of a real engineer, the variety of engineering out there and the central role it plays in our everyday lives.”
“The 21st century continues to see an increase in technological and scientific advancements, from nano-technology, robotic prosthetics and record-breaking sky-scrapers to research into the cure for cancer, neurological and genetic diseases. If we continue at this current rate of technological and scientific evolution we will require many more people working in science, engineering and maths,” added Ms Collier.
“The days aimed to excite and inspire students and was a great way to show young people the vital role engineering plays in our lives,” commented Head Teacher, Mr Wiktor Daron. “The event was a fantastic opportunity for our pupils. They were able to take part in some exciting problem solving activities which, whilst being fun, enhanced some important skills such as leadership, consideration for others and working together to a common goal.”
Mr Daron added: “We hope that events such as this will encourage more young people to study and consider exciting and rewarding careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.”
Depaul UK calls on UK Catholic schools to take part in its first annual Sleep Out/Sleep In to help young homeless people
Press Release - 19 July 2013
Youth homelessness charity Depaul UK is calling on the UK’s Catholic schools to get involved with its first ever annual sponsored Sleep Out/Sleep In and raise vital funds to support their nationwide work with young homeless people.
The Sleep Out/Sleep In will take place on 27th September 2013, to coincide with the Feast Day of St Vincent de Paul, the patron saint of charity whose work and values inspires the work of Depaul UK.
Schools can hold their sleep out in the playground or playing field. Students can also sleep inside the school.
The Sleep Out/Sleep In comes at a time when the need for support for young homeless people is particularly pressing. Most recent figures show that around 80,000 young people will experience homelessness in a year and that the number of young people seeking help from homelessness organisations and agencies is rising.
Tim Harford, Depaul UK’s Head of Donor Care and Individual Giving said, “We’re really hoping to build on the tremendous support we’ve had from the Catholic community to date with our first ever annual Sleep Out/Sleep In. It’s not just an opportunity for schools to raise funds for the work we do with really vulnerable young people throughout the country- young people who have often had to cope with challenging situations since they were very young -it’s also an opportunity to encourage pupils to think about those less fortunate than themselves and put into action the virtues of charity and compassion.”
Depaul UK’s Sleep Out/Sleep In is supported by the charity’s patron, The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster. The Archbishop says: “ Depaul UK helps young people who find themselves homeless to overcome their circumstances, which are often traumatic. It does so by helping them to find stability, a place to call home, and a hope for their future. As patron of Depaul UK, I am pleased to offer my endorsement of this sponsored schools Sleep Out/Sleep In. Schools wishing to participate do so with my encouragement and blessing.”
Teachers can register their school and get further information about how to organise and hold their Sleep Out/Sleep In at www.depauluk.org/sleepout. For any questions email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 0207 939 1276.
Ends
Notes to Editors
1) About Depaul UK. Depaul UK is the UK’s largest youth homelessness charity. It provides and supports over 125,000 bednights a year to homeless and vulnerable young people and has helped more than 50,000 people since it was founded in 1989. The charity continues to work with more than 5,000 young people a year. Depaul UK is the new name for Depaul Trust, Registered Charity No .802384. www.depauluk.org. Twitter @depauluk
Schools join MPs in Parliament to support Religious Education
Twenty-eight RE students from seven different schools joined MPs at the House of Commons to campaign on behalf of Religious Education (RE) in schools on Monday, June 24.
The schools were invited by the All Party Parliamentary Group on RE to update MPs and Peers about two new initiatives designed to give RE a much needed boost in schools.
The RE Quality Mark (REQM) is a new accreditation supported and monitored by the Religious Education Council for England and Wales to celebrate and recognise quality RE in all primary and secondary school classrooms.
When it is well taught in secondary schools 11-16 year olds value GCSE Religious Studies as a strong humanities subject. The RE Young Ambassadors programme is a new initiative that draws on this support by bringing together a diverse group of young people from different secondary schools. They volunteer their time to champion RE as subject they believe to be important.
Stephen Lloyd MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Religious Education (RE), said:
“We have found many excuses are given for relegating RE in schools to a single slot, often taught by a non-specialist teacher who has not benefited from subject training. Given the current social and political climate this is shocking, and today it is tremendous to welcome so many schools and young people who want to support RE in our schools. We are working hard to ensure the subject is given a long term view and is not ignored in any curriculum reforms.”
As society becomes more religiously diverse it is widely acknowledged that RE offers pupils the opportunity to explore their own beliefs and reflect on the challenges of serious commitment, allowing them to investigate how different beliefs have shaped individuals, families, communities and cultures. RE is a challenging subject to teach and one that requires support through training and space in the curriculum. By ignoring RE the current Government is threatening to put issues of faith, belief and diversity to one side and not make the most of schools as a safe space to educate, inform and question.
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Religious Education was set up in November 2012 and is chaired by Eastbourne and Willingdon MP, Stephen Lloyd. In November 2012 it announced its inquiry into the supply of and support for teachers of RE. A list of submissions to the inquiry and a full copy of the report is available by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2. The Young Ambassadors Programme was created by the Religious Education Council of England and Wales, and the REC supports and monitors the RE Quality Mark (REQM). The REC brings together academic and professional associations specialising in religions and religious education. It also includes the individual religion and belief organisations which represent the range of faith communities found nationally, including the British Humanist Association.
3. For further media information about the Religious Education Council contact: Colin Hallmark / Harriet Johnson, 3:nine Communications. Tel: 0207 736 1888; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
All Hallows Catholic College commended for excellent GCSE results
3 June 2013 - Press Release
All Hallows Catholic College has received national recognition for the high attainment of pupils in the GCSE examination in 2012.
All Hallows Catholic College qualified as one of the top 20% of non-selective schools in England for the high average grades achieved by students.
Every school in the country has been ranked according to how well they performed in their GCSE results in 2012 by SSAT - the representative body for schools.
The new rankings, calculated by SSAT using official data, compare how schools nationally performed by counting all students' best 8 GCSE subjects and reflect schools' desire to achieve the very best results for their students.
Sue Williamson, Chief Executive of SSAT said, " All Hallows Catholic College should be congratulated for their stunning achievement is securing some of the best GCSE results in the country.
"All Hallows Catholic College has proven itself to be one of the best schools in the country at securing superb GCSE outcomes for their students.There is plenty that other schools could learn from All Hallows Catholic College's success.
"These results are testament to the commitment and hard work of the students, teachers and leadership team at All Hallows Catholic College and a vindication of their belief in high expectations, good teaching and ambition for every young person.
"Successful schools like All Hallows Catholic College understand the value of data, such as these attainment measures, in helping to ensure that all young people perform to the very best of their ability. The attainment measures show how schools are focused on their performance and out comes of all their students."
Ends
SSAT (The Schools Network) Ltd is an independent membership organisation that works with schools and partners to shape a world class education system. it represents almost 2000 members in England. The company operates with the same broad educational objectives as the old Specialist Schools and Academies Trust.
Contact : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Towers Fights Cancer Together - Totally Amazing
Early last week, (before the snow descended) the SOLSTICE planning group met. As you may be aware we have parents, one member of staff and Sister Patrick who are all undergoing treatment for various types of cancer. Cancer in all of its forms is a disease which respects no-one and attacks young and old alike. Fortunately there have been breakthroughs in detection and treatments but research requires money and support of sufferers also needs money. So we have selected Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer as the two charities to support with our SOLSTICE events.
Back in April, The Towers Convent School in Upper Beeding made the decision that as a number of our parents, a member of staff and Sister Patrick were all undergoing treatment for various types of Cancer we wanted to support Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer and began planning our Solstice event. Also, we decided that, as this is my tenth and final year as Head, we would aim for a total of £10,000. We thought that we were being optimistic and perhaps a little too ambitious but decided that it would be better to aim high. As I write this the total is just over £13,500 with money from the sponsored runs and silent auction still to come. The original plan was to give £5,000 each to Macmillan and Cancer Research UK and then anything above that amount could go to the Worthing Hospital Scanner Appeal.
The first ‘event’ was our money mile where everyone was invited to place loose change on the tape around the school. The money is still coming in and we are at 1194 yards. Not quite a mile but equating to over £500. There have been many individual events such as the Daisy Chain Challenge (£88), a parent who asked her dinner party guests to pay for their pudding (£55) cake sales at various churches to name but a few.
Then the Summer Solstice arrived and the Seniors arrived dressed in pink and green outfits plus trainers to do the 5km fun run along the banks of the river adur. The first girl back was Ellie-Rose Teatum with a time of 19 minutes 20 seconds. In the afternoon all of the Juniors and nursery ran or walked around the field as many times as they could manage. For one nursery child one lap was enough before he declared to Hayley “I have had enough, my feet won’t do anymore” whilst the girl who did the most laps was Amelie Somers completing 48 laps closely followed by Harriet Thornton completing 47 laps. The sponsor money from both of these events this has yet to be counted but even if each child only raises £10 then that would be a further £3200!
In the evening the auction alone raised an amazing £3905. With ticket sales and bar sales, lockery and tombola adding a further £1600 to the proceeds from the night. All 23 lots sold with some competitive bidding, particularly for the tickets to the Ashes which sold for £370 and the Florida apartment which reached an amazing £1000. The champagne tea at South Lodge, Dinner, bed and breakfast at Dean’s Place, a Mappin and Webb watch, signed cricket bat and the bakery courses at The Artisan Bakery were also very popular, each reaching around £200. There were many more items donated and a silent auction for these is still in process.
Saturday saw some serious competitors warming up with exercises demonstrated by Kat O’Neill before setting off on a steep hill over the Downs for a 5 or 8K run, jog or walk. This raised over £1000 in entry fees. Congratulations not only to Will Chambers and ex-pupil Lydia Growns who respectively won the two categories but also to Ellie-Rose Teatum who repeated her achievement of the previous day and was the first Towers pupil to return.
During the afternoon the fete was declared open by Sister Patrick and followed an afternoon of busy its busy stalls, entertainment and games went ahead despite the windy weather. The rain held off until it was time to pack away and to start the barbecue. Venison or pork burgers provided by a parent were delicious and the entertainment first ‘Fat Owl’ followed by ‘No Pressure’ soon had literally everyone up and dancing to round off a fabulous weekend.
.
Saint Paul’s Win Wythenshawe Rounders Tournament!
The Year 9 girls from Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe made the school proud when they recently won the Wythenshawe Rounders Tournament.
The girls had great wins over Manchester Health Academy and Newall Green High School and went on to be crowned as the overall winners of the tournament.
“Winning the Wythenshawe Rounders Tournament was a fantastic achievement for our Year 9 team,” commented Mrs Janice Stuart, PE teacher at Saint Paul’s. “The girls beat all the other teams they played against very comprehensively. They thoroughly deserve the success they have worked so hard for.”
Mrs Stuart added: “The girls demonstrated extremely knowledgeable tactical fielding which greatly contributed to their success. I was also delighted to see the good sportsmanship of the players as they went out of their way to congratulate the other teams for their efforts.”
“All the girls have a real passion for the game and this is a well deserved achievement for them,” said Mr Wiktor Daron, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “I am very proud of all those who took part; the team has shown great spirit and determination.”
Saint Paul’s Promotes the Health Benefits of Safe Cycling
PRESS RELEASE - July 2013
Pupils at Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe are encouraged to cycle or walk to school in-line with the school’s policy to promote healthy and environmentally friendly lifestyles. To support this, Year 7 pupils at the school recently took part in the Bikeability scheme. This is the updated Cycling Proficiency Test, designed to give the pupils the skills and confidence to ride their bikes safely on today's roads.
The pupils’ training included how to control their bikes, being able to look and assess traffic, how to communicate and where to position themselves on the road.
Initially the sessions were based in the playground so that the instructor could assess the groups' bike handling ability and practise skills such as balance, control and observation without worrying about traffic. Once basic skills had been developed, the lessons moved onto the road, a vital step in raising awareness and putting the playground practice into a real-life situation.
Whilst at Saint Paul’s, the Bikeability instructors were also able to advise the pupils on safety equipment and how to check and do simple maintenance on their bikes.
“Cycling is an ideal form of transport for young people providing a healthy, cheap and environmentally friendly way to get about,” explained Ms Diane Keary, Head of Year 7 at Saint Paul’s. “The government recommends that young people should have a minimum of one hour’s moderate physical activity each date so that they stay healthy and help prevent serious illness in later life. Cycling to school is a simple and practical way of achieving this.”
Ms Keary added: “It is obviously vital that children can handle their bikes competently and that they know how to ride safely and with consideration for others. They need to learn about potential hazards and how to deal with traffic safely which is why we provide this training for them.”
“The course included basic road manoeuvres, assessing risks, holding good road positioning, awareness of traffic and a general understanding of the highway code. The pupils started off with basic riding techniques and then moved onto more challenging situations.”
“The course was not just about teaching children to ride a bike to national standards but also about introducing them to cycling as an everyday and fun activity and an alternative mode of transport. Cycling is a very efficient and eco-friendly way of getting around which we would like to encourage.”
“Getting children interested in cycling at an early age is a great way to encourage them to exercise,” commented Mr Wiktor Daron, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “However, young people between 11 and 15 are most vulnerable on the roads, and only one-third of children ever do any cycle training so we wanted to emphasise the importance of training and safety to our pupils.”
“By undergoing some training and by following a few simple safety rules, we hope we can make sure our pupils keep out of trouble on the roads.”
All Hallows Sixth form Enrichment Visit to Rome 2013
As part of the Enrichment program, 39 students opted for a Visit to the Historical, Religious and Artistic sites The 'Eternal City' of Rome has to offer. Travelling as a group of year 12 they spent 5 days exploring the sites while enjoying the fantastic weather, food and company. Taking in visits to The Vatican - scaling the never ending staircase into the cupola of Michelangelo, marvelling at his work in the Sistine chapel and attending the Papal Audience with Pope Francis. The Coliseum, the Forum and the Catacombs to name but a few. Students also enjoyed the activities the Borghese gardens had to offer. Alistair Sidebotham won the biggest Gelato ordered hands down!
National Recognition for Saint Paul’s
PRESS RELEASE - June 2013
Saint Paul’s one of the top 20% of schools in England for improving its GCSE results year-on-year!
Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe was delighted to be recognised nationally for achieving some of the fastest improving GCSE results in the country.
The school recently received official recognition of their achievement from the SSAT (The Schools Network). They were recognised as one of the top 20% of schools in England by improving its GCSE results year-on-year from 2009 to 2012 by at least 17 percentage points overall.
This reinforces the message earlier in the year when Saint Paul’s was recognised by the Minister of State, the Rt Hon David Laws MP, as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country.
The school was highlighted by the Minister as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country in terms of the progress the pupils have made between their Key Stage 2 results (i.e. when the pupils left primary school) and their GCSE results.
Sue Williamson,Chief Executive of SSAT, said: “St Paul’s Catholic High School should be congratulated for their stunning achievement in improving their GCSE results.”
She continued: “St Paul’s Catholic High School has proved itself to be one of the best schools in the country at improving GCSE outcomes for their students. There is plenty that other schools could learn from Saint Paul’s success.”
“These results are testament to the commitment and hard work of the students, teachers and leadership team at Saint Paul’s and a vindication of their belief in high expectations, good teaching and ambition for every young person.”
The school achieved excellent GCSE results in 2012: the eighth year running that they had celebrated improved GCSE exam results.
2012 saw the best ever GCSE results for Saint Paul’s with 59% of pupils achieving 5 A* - Cs including Maths and English GCSEs (the government’s preferred measure), an increase of 11% from 2011. Also, the number of pupils attaining 5A* - Cs increased to an all time high of 90%.
“We are delighted to be celebrating national recognition for achieving some of the fastest improving GCSE results in the country; this is another milestone for the school and is a remarkable achievement,” said Head Teacher, Mr Wiktor Daron. “We are very proud of the year-on-year improving GCSE results which students and staff at the school worked very hard to achieve.”
Saint Paul’s Supports the Big IF Campaign
Pupils at Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe are supporting the CAFOD Big IF campaign “Hungry for Change”. CAFOD, the Catholic Association for Overseas Development works in many countries to tackle poverty, encourage development and fight for global justice.
The pupils have learnt that there is enough food in the world for everyone, but it’s not shared fairly. They know that the way forward is to act collectively to push for change hence they signed a pledge which was sent to David Cameron and to bring up at the G8 summit to end world hunger.
“The pupils were very keen to support the Hungry for Change campaign after learning that nearly one billion people go to bed hungry every night and two million children die from malnutrition every year,” explained Miss Kathryn Meehan, RE teacher at Saint Paul’s. “Our pupils were inspired by the values of the CAFOD charity – compassion, hope, dignity, solidarity, partnership, sustainability and stewardship, As part of the Catholic community, we were eager to support this charity and help those in need.”
“At Saint Paul’s, pupils are encouraged to consider their place in the wider community, develop a strong sense of social responsibility and support those less fortunate than themselves.” commented Mr Wiktor Daron, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. Our hope is that, through their exposure to a range of activities and causes, our pupils will develop a sense of the type and scale of need that exists in modern life.”
Catholic Voluntary Academy Chosen for National School Support Role
Press release - 6 July 2013
The Principal and staff at All Hallows Catholic College, a voluntary academy in Macclesfield, have been selected for a top role, supporting schools in challenging circumstances.
Tony Billings is one of only 96 headteachers to be appointed to the role of National Leader of Education (NLE) in the latest recruitment round. He will now be invited to the National College for Teaching and Leadership’s learning and conference centre in Nottingham in October for a formal induction and training for the role in driving school improvement.
NLEs use their success and professionalism as school leaders, along with the staff in their school - designated a National Support School - to provide additional leadership capability in struggling schools or those in transition to federation or academy status. The deployment is tailor-made to suit the needs of each school. The type of support provided is flexible and can involve NLEs becoming acting or executive headteacher of the client school or schools. They also have responsibility for bringing on the next generation of NLEs and National Support Schools.
Jacquline Feeley, Chair of Governors said: “This is such exciting news! The awarding of "National Support School" to All Hallows Catholic College and "National Leader of Education" to our Principal, is timely recognition of the great work of all staff inspirationally led by Tony Billings. It reflects our Mission "to be more rather than have more" and the high standards achieved by our staff and students. We will now be able to share expertise, knowledge and skills with other schools to raise expectations and standards of Teaching and Learning to enable all to fulfil their true potential. We, the Governors, are very proud of this excellent achievement which places Tony Billings as one of the National Leaders of Education, and of all our dedicated staff members who work and study selflessly and tirelessly as a dynamic team for the good of all our students. Congratulations and Well done to everyone!”
Many in the National Leaders of Education/National Support Schools scheme see improvements in exam results at both the support and client schools with progress achieved in excess of the improvements nationally.
There are now well over 800 NLEs across the country and the number is set to rise to about 1,000 by 2015. Tony Billings, Principal of All Hallows said: “This is a recognition of the extensive work we are already doing, sharing best practice with a number of schools facing challenging circumstances. We are delighted to be invited into such important work making a difference to the lives of students and their teachers.”
Charlie Taylor, Chief Executive of the National College for Teaching and Leadership, said: “It’s great that heads like Tony Billings are willing to look beyond their own school gates to help more pupils achieve. Their efforts will be at the heart of a self-improving, school-led education system.
“School-to-school support is having a growing impact and the results speak for themselves with benefits for both the schools being supported and those providing the support.”
Notes to editors:
For further information contact: All Hallows Catholic College, Principal, Tony Billings at 01625 426138 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
All Hallows Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy, drawing students from Macclesfield, Alderley Edge, Congleton, Wilmslow, Handforth, Poynton,Stockport,Whalley Bridge, Knutsford and surrounding areas.
For press enquiries about the national NLE programme contact Richard Earle on 07776 494545, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit: www.education.gov.uk/nationalcollege
Teen Tech
Three brilliant young inventors have won the National TeenTech awards with a life saving invention which could make them a fortune.
The Loreto Grammar School Year Nine pupils beat teams from 450 different schools with the prototype for a blood glucose monitoring device aimed at improving the life chances of diabetics worldwide.
Sarah Griffin, 14, from Altrincham; JessicaTaylor 14, from Altrincham and Sophie Kelly, 14, from Sale, have wowed Britain's science community, receiving their prizes from Prince Andrew at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
The girls impressed judges including Professor Brian Cox, top theoretical physicist Jim Al-Khalili and BBC science correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones to win in three categories for 'International Collaboration', “Healthcare' and the top overall award.
The key to their success said Loreto Grammar School Mathematics teacher Elaine Manton 'was a forensic examination of the project from every angle covering market research, product design and development and the potential for marketing’.
Organised by TeenTech as part of a national drive to promote the STEM subjects, Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Technology, the competition asks gifted pupils to conceive, design, develop and market an original product ready for the market place.
“The first step,” said Sarah, who has ambitions to become a facial plastic surgeon, 'was to identify a gap in the market place. There are blood glucose monitoring devices, but they are too bulky.”
Jessica, who wants to study psychoanalysis and forensic science, added: “We then had to discuss our ideas with some of Britain top engineers and were grateful to be able to liaise with the research and development team at Airbus industries.”
Sophie, who is interested in studying both sociology and philosophy, added: “It was essential to talk to those who might use the device and to get some detailed feedback from the medical profession.”
The girls worked on the project for four months, spending all their available lunchtimes, putting together their entry, being given special dispensation to work on the project in mathematics lessons and then furiously emailing each other in the evenings as they perfected their submission.
Elaine Manton said: “I have beena teacher for20 years and have never seen such innovative and detailed work. Their submission blew the judges out of the water, winning the plaudits of many of Britain's top scientists and broadcasters.”
The trio are to appear on Breakfast TV and are being interviewed by the national media. The girls win digital photo frames and £1,000 for the school, but said: “We are not interested in the rewards, we are genuinely interested in the project and getting the product to the market place.”
Elaine Manton added: “Britain needs the next generation of young inventors to stand up and make their mark in the world and we are all incredibly proud of Sophie, Sarah and Jessicafor their wonderful work.”
Much ado about nothing Mr Gove
10th July 2013 - Press Release
This week the Education Secretary, Michael Gove, set all secondary schools a target of teaching 11-14 year olds two Shakespeare plays. But at St Benedict's Catholic Primary School in Atherstone, Warwickshire, children as young as 5 are studying Shakespeare. And on Wednesday (10th) and Thursday (11th) they will be staging their own performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
The performance is the finale of this term’s topic work for Years 5 and 6. It’s not just about learning lines for the play, Shakespeare’s work is used as a springboard to improve speaking and listening skills by doing 'ensemble' approach drama work where the children explore the themes, characters and language of Shakespeare whilst learning about how these fit in to Tudor times. This approach also increases children’s confidence.
Modern day themes are related to Shakespeare’s plays with the children undertaking project work looking, not just at Shakespeare’s life and times, but also crossing into other subject areas, for instance designing and making fairy wings.
Previously pupils have studied Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet and the Tempest. A mixed group of children ranging from Reception to Year 6 has even performed their own interpretation of The Tempest in a festival at Stratford.
Teacher Mrs Niki Furlong-Smith is the school's Literacy lead: "We've taught Shakespeare at St Benedict's for years, even to Reception children, because his works can be accessed by all age groups if done appropriately.”
She continued; “The Royal Shakespeare Company has been very supportive too.We have worked with one of the RSC's Voice Coaches and last October some of our present Year 6s had their own poetry performed by members of the RSC at the theatre in Stratford.
Our main feeder school, St Thomas More School, has stated that the children we send to them are always open to the works of Shakespeare when they begin to study them as part of the KS3 curriculum."
Ends
1. For further information contact Head teacher Mrs Susan Shannon – 01827 712320 or PR Co-ordinator (Parent Volunteer) Angela Baines on 07976 438710.
2. Press photographers are welcome to visit the performance. Please contact Angela Baines (Parent volunteer) on 07976 438710.
3. Photographs show pupils from Year 5 &6 in the dress rehearsal of their performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and examples of project work.
4. In November 2012 St Benedict’s was rated as Good by Ofsted under the tougher new inspection regime and noted children’s exemplary behaviour. In March 2013 the School was also rated Good with Outstanding features for RE in a Diocesan inspection.
5. St Benedict’s School is based in Church Walk, Mancetter, Atherstone and accepts children from all backgrounds in the North Warwickshire area. www.stbenedictsonline.co.uk Tel: 01827 712320
Saint Paul’s School Parliament
PRESS RELEASE - July 2013
Head and Deputy receive Papal Awards for their Services to Catholic Education
PRESS RELEASE - July 2013
Wiktor Daron and Kathleen O’Kelly both retired this academic year from Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe. Mr. Daron’s teaching career spanned thirty seven years, including twenty years of headship and twenty eight years of service to Catholic schools. Mrs. O’Kelly retired after thirty one years in teaching and seventeen of which were in Catholic schools.
Flying High with GCSEs at All Hallows
Press Release - 22 August 2013
All Hallows students are flying high following an excellent set of GCSE results for the Class of 2013. 88% of students gained five or more GCSE results at A*-C including 66% with English and Mathematics. ‘Achievement for all’ also figures strongly at All Hallows with all student regardless of ability or learning challenges gaining one more qualifications and academically gifted students clocked up super results with twenty three students gaining 8 or more A*-A; M. Barton (10), F. Billings (11), E Brown (8), N. Burton (8), H Corcoran (11), T. Cumberland (8), J. Cunningham (12), M. Curley (8), O.Haigh (12), A. Holland (9), E. Kane (9), R. Lindley (8), R. Macbryde (11), S. Maguinness (8), H. Massey (12), A. Mills (11), B. O’Donovan (8), H. Pickup (11), L. Powell (12), A. Prior (8), I. Skidmore (8), P. Waite (8), R. Williams (11).
Principal, Mr Billings said ‘Fantastic results today. We are delighted for our students and their teachers. They have every reason to be proud and we are looking to one of our highest recruitments to our Sixth Form. These results will be a passport to many more opportunities for them in the future.’ Finola Billings, who is also the Principal’s daughter, said ‘I’ve worked hard for these results and I’m really looking forward to studying History, German, English Literature and Philosophy A Levels in the Sixth Form. ’ Nathan Wanjau, who joined the college in Year 10 said ‘I’m so proud, I managed to catch up and gain 7 A*-As, All Hallows has really supported me and I’m looking forward to life in the Sixth Form.’ Overall this has been another excellent year for All Hallows.
Notes to the Editor
1.All Hallows is an 11-18 Catholic Voluntary Academy and National Support School located in Macclesfield, Cheshire.
2.Students are a very wide geographical area beyond Macclesfield, including, Handforth, Wilmslow, Stockport, Poynton, and Congleton. The students mentioned above : M. Barton (Congleton), F. Billings (Macclesfield), E Brown (Macclesfield), N. Burton (Bollington), H Corcoran (Sutton), T. Cumberland (Macclesfield), J. Cunningham (Stockport), M. Curley (Sutton), O.Haigh (Macclesfield), A. Holland (Macclesfield), E. Kane (Macclesfield), R. Lindley (Congleton), R. Macbryde (Macclesfield), S. Maguinness (Macclesfield), H. Massey (Handforth), A. Mills (Macclesfield), B. O’Donovan (Macclesfield), H. Pickup (Congleton), L. Powell (Macclesfield), A. Prior (Macclesfield), I. Skidmore (Macclesfield), P. Waite (Macclesfield), R. Williams (Disley). N. Wanjau (Macclesfield).
3.OfSTED and denominational reports have both judged All Hallows to be outstanding.
4.In 2012, All Hallows was commended for being in the top 20% of non-selective schools for value added performance at GCSE in 2012. A Level results regularly place the college in the top 100 comprehensives in the country and we expect the same this year.
Students at Mary Immaculate can be proud of their achievements
22 August 2013
Students at Mary Immaculate can be proud of their achievements, with another set of record-breaking GCSE results. The school is delighted that performance in nearly all indicators have improved on last year.
There were some outstanding performers who excelled in their studies. These include: Magda Wiktorzak achieved a total of 16 GCSEs with 4 A*s, 1 A, 7 Bs and 4 Cs; Jessica Sweeney achieved 3 A*s, 4 As, 5 Bs and 1 C; Karolina Wabia 4 As, 2As, 6 Bs and 2 Cs; Joshua Jermyn 1 A*, 5 As, 5 Bs and 1 C; Krzysztof Jakubiak scored 1 A*, 4 As, 5 Bs and 2 Cs along with an AS in mathematics; Jackielyn Green 2 A*, 7 As, 5 Bs; Amy Searle 3 A*s, 4 As, 6 Bs and 1 C; Finally, Zach Lewis achieved 1 A*, 6 As, 6 Bs.
Marc Belli, Headteacher, said “We are both delighted and proud with the results achieved by our students this year. Their efforts throughout the year have been rewarded with stunning outcomes. We have seen some significant improvements in a number of key areas and we hope to build on these next year. I should like to pay tribute to the efforts of all the teaching and support staff who have challenged the students to perform to the best of their ability. Furthermore, we are blest with excellent support from all of our parents who have played a key role in ensuring our students achieve the results they deserve. Finally, we wish all of our students every success in the future and look forward to inviting them to return for our annual awards evening next year.”
Outstanding GCSE results again at The Barlow
Press Release - 22 August 2013
Students at The Barlow RC High School in Didsbury have once again surpassed all expectations, with an amazing 97% of all students achieving the highest possible GCSE results of at least 5 A*-C grades. Students at The Barlow performed well in all subjects, with 88% awarded A* - Cs in Science and 72% gaining those grades in English and Maths.
The Barlow’s results are significantly above the national average and maintain the school’s excellent performance record. The outstanding results place The Barlow yet again as one of the highest performing schools in Manchester.
The top 10 GCSE achievers scored a massive 91 A*-A grades between them. Eleven of those belonged to sixteen-year old Lauren Flaherty from Didsbury. Lauren said, “I am so happy with my results especially with my A*s in Biology and Geography. I’m going on study these subjects alongside Spanish and English Literature at Xaverian College. I worked really hard to get my grades. All my teachers were very supportive and the extra revision classes and past paper practice they organised really paid off. I’m going to miss everything about The Barlow, especially the teachers and my friends. I’m looking forward to going to College and then on to University.”
Head Teacher Mrs Claire McCarron said, “We are all absolutely delighted with the outstanding success of all our students. The high numbers achieving excellent grades in the more challenging academic subjects show that The Barlow continues to prepare its pupils for the challenges of A-Level and beyond. These results confirm another outstanding year for our students. Both the students and our excellent, committed teachers have worked hard and have received the full support of parents and Governors. It has been a real team effort. Congratulations to our students on their well-deserved success.”
The school has recently received its second national award in two years from The Schools Network (SSAT) for its outstanding achievement. The Barlow has received national recognition for achieving some of the fastest improving GCSE results in the country.
For more information please contact:
Kathryn Carr, Marketing & Communications Manager
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
0161 445 8053
Heythrop College joins The Cathedrals Group
Media Release from The Cathedrals Group (The Council of Church Colleges and Universities)
For immediate release 30 August 2013
The Cathedrals Group* is delighted to welcome a new member. Heythrop College, University of London*, joins as a full member of The Cathedrals Group from this academic year.
The Cathedrals Group of Church-foundation universities today welcomes into full membership Heythrop College, the specialist philosophy and theology college of the University of London.
With just under one thousand students, Heythrop will be the smallest member institution but as a specialist provider of theology and religious studies, it equates to one of the largest providers in the UK and sits well with the other members. Collectively more than 44% of all UK theology and religious studies students (undergraduates, postgraduates and research students) are at Cathedrals Group institutions.
The Group’s newest member institution will also be its oldest. Other member institutions were founded by the Churches from the nineteenth century onwards for the purpose of training teachers for Church schools. The earliest foundation was that of the University of Chester in 1839.
Heythrop College will celebrate the 400th anniversary of its foundation by the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit order of the Roman Catholic Church) in 2014. In 1971 a Royal Charter established it as a College of the University of London, with a mission ‘to offer its students an education marked by intelligence, scholarship and generosity of spirit’.
Professor Joy Carter, Chair of The Cathedrals Group and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester said: ‘I am delighted that such a distinguished institution as Heythrop College is joining The Cathedrals Group. We share an explicit Christian heritage that underpins a strong commitment to common values. These include developing strong ethical principles in all aspects of higher education, and building communities that embrace and value diversity. Heythrop’s ethos and academic strengths in teaching and research within theology and religious studies complement provision in other Cathedrals Group institutions. We look forward to building on our common strengths and values together.’
The Revd Michael Holman SJ, Principal of Heythrop College, said: ‘Joining The Cathedrals Group is an important step for Heythrop as we seek to engage more actively with other institutions with Church-based foundations, in the promotion of theological and philosophical education. The values of our particular, Jesuit tradition complement the collective mission of the wider Group, through our commitment to providing an education which is formative of the whole person and which facilitates understanding, promotes social justice and serves the public good. I look forward very much to our collaboration with The Cathedrals Group in the months and years ahead and believe it will be a mutually beneficial affiliation for staff, students and supporters from across the spectrum of Group members.’
RITE OF WELCOME
Every year we all agree that the Rite of Welcome is a most moving occasion for the whole school. It is a beautiful ceremony, unique to St Mary's School, which welcomes all new staff and pupils to our community. Newcomers have now settled into school life, and we all rejoice in welcoming them as being truly part of the family. The Rite of Welcome took place on 27th September 2013 in chapel, and began with a word of greeting from the Head, Mr James.
The ceremony is based on a beautiful liturgical service expressed through hymns and reflections. Centred on God's Word, each individual is greeted in love, prayer and friendship. Firstly, we are all invited to listen to pupils and staff giving their first impressions since arriving. The support and kindness at St Mary's are felt as each girl acknowledges the warm welcome received, and the help and guidance from her 'Guardian Angel', that is, the girl assigned to offer practical care. The new girls were both articulate and funny in giving their first impressions. They spoke of much kindness at St Mary's, the wonderful lunches, the long kilts, the school drive which can be daunting, but most of all, of their joy in belonging here. Miss McGirr, our new member of the Mathematics Department, spoke warmly on behalf of new staff.
An excellent address on joining St Mary's was delivered by Miss Radford, Director of Music, who last term celebrated forty years of work at the school! Her talk was amazingly good, anecdotal, humorous, informative and delivered with great joy! She spoke of her gratitude in belonging to a family where values are shared by all; she referred to the generosity of the nuns in the early days; she spoke of community as organic, rooted in faith; she underlined the dignity and uniqueness of each one.
The most moving part of this ceremony is when each new member is called by name and comes forward accompanied by their sponsor. They are welcomed, blest, and receive a rose, together with the school Prayer Book. With new names adorning the chapel walls, and big smiles all around, with beautiful organ tones of 'O Praise ye the Lord', we thanked God for our new members at St Mary's.
Miss Andrea (Chaplain)
For further information please contact:
Mrs Charlotte Stephens
Marketing Manager & Registrar
01747 857102
07581 308255
Anti-Bullying Training for Saint Paul’s Pupils
PRESS RELEASE- October 2013
A group of pupils at Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe took part in anti-bullying training where they were able to explore and understand the issues of bullying through a series of interactive sessions.
The pupils, all members of the School Parliament, took part in the Diana Award Anti-Bullying Ambassadors training where they gained practical ideas and received tips on how to stop bullying, enabling them to prevent bullying and ensure everyone feels safe and happy in school.
The training provided the pupils with a greater understanding of the issue of bullying and allowed them to explore, through drama, scenarios Anti-Bullying Ambassadors may come across. They looked at the skills needed to support others and protective behaviours for keeping themselves and others safe.
“This was an excellent opportunity for our pupils, they left feeling inspired and with a clear action plan,” explained Ms Michelle Davies, School Parliament Link teacher. “The pupils took part in ideas sessions where they were able to share ideas and good practice and look at case studies and examples of schools who had effectively introduced anti-bullying practices.”
“At school, we send out a clear and positive message that bullying is neither acceptable nor inevitable at Saint Paul’s,” commented Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “We all play a part in working together to create a society where bullying is not tolerated and where we all respond to bullying quickly and appropriately.”
For further information please contact:
Jane McAuliffe-Hall
Publicity and Marketing Manager
St Paul's Catholic High School, a Voluntary Academy and Engineering College (Member of the Wythenshawe Catholic Academy Trust) Firbank Road Newall Green Manchester M23 2YS
Tel: 0161 437 5841
Inspired Scientists at Saint Paul’s!
PRESS RELEASE - November 2013
Pupils from Saint Paul's Catholic High School in Wythenshawe recently took part in an inspirational day at the school designed to introduce them to the wide range of careers available in engineering, and to show them that they can aspire to be engineers too!
Pupils from Years 8 and 9 were able to participate in the careers driven show organized by "Science Made Simple" which brought the brilliance of science to life with an amazing, high energy interactive event.
The show focused on the magic of engineering and the pupils were able to discover how engineers design cars that go hundreds of miles an hour, build structures that can survive earthquakes, and cook food by using only mirrors!
Saint Paul's has specialist status for Engineering and has a distinctive science and engineering ethos running throughout the school and is very keen to inspire and engage the pupils in Science and Engineering.
The event aimed to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists with fun and participative activities. The activities highlighted how science, technology, engineering and maths relate to our everyday lives.
Mr Daniel Spencer, Science teacher at Saint Paul's, explained: "The activities were great fun and very popular with the pupils. The sessions helped the pupils see how Science and Engineering can be applied in real life."
"The pupils were able to consider what engineering is, where it can be found and how it has changed our lives," added Mr Spencer.
"Science and Engineering are vital to the future of our country and involvement in projects such as this are a great way for us to encourage our pupils to enjoy the subjects and see them as both interesting and accessible," commented Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul's. "We need to do everything we can to inspire the next generation and show them the future opportunities available to them."
For further information please contact:
Jane McAuliffe-Hall
Publicity and Marketing Manager
St Paul's Catholic High School, a Voluntary Academy and Engineering College (Member of the Wythenshawe Catholic Academy Trust) Firbank Road Newall Green Manchester M23 2YS
Tel: 0161 437 5841
School's harvest mass helps local foodbank
5th November 2013
Children at St Benedict's Catholic Primary School in Atherstone ended their Autumn half-term with a special harvest mass remembering the hard work farmers put into producing our food, as well as thinking of those people who do not have enough to eat.
This year donations from the school children and their families were sent to Tamworth foodbank as well as to 26 elderly or sick parishioners in Atherstone and the surrounding villages.And, because hunger is a global problem, the children also prayed for those around the world who do not have enough to eat.
Mrs Susan Shannon, Headteacher at St Benedict's said "It is heartening to see such a generous response from the school's families.We know that those who receive the harvest parcels are always touched that others are thinking about them and this is one of many ways in which we encourage the children to care for their wider community."
For further information please contact:
Head Teacher Mrs Susan Shannon – 01827 712320
St Mary’s Awarded University Title
Press Release- Monday 27th January
St Mary's University College, Twickenham is delighted to announce that on Thursday 23rd January 2014, it was awarded full university title by the Privy Council.
It means that it will officially change its name to St Mary's University, Twickenham and marks an exciting landmark in the institutions 164 year history.
Dr Arthur Naylor, Interim Principal, said, "These are exciting times for St Mary's and the granting of University title will facilitate its development both at home and abroad."
St Mary's Chair to the Board of Governors Bishop Richard Moth said, "This is excellent news for St Mary's and recognises all that the University offers to students and staff alike."
The news follows the announcement that St Mary's Board of Governors has appointed Francis Campbell as Principal. He will join the University in April 2014.
For further information please contact:
Marina Boor, Senior PR and Marketing Officer on 020 8240 2350 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ruth Mellor, Marketing Manager on 020 8240 4083 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Saint Paul’s Commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day
Press Release- February 2014
A group of pupils from Saint Paul's Catholic High School in Wythenshawe took part in a special event at the Cornerhouse in Manchester to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. The pupils were able to learn more about the desperate journeys faced by Jewish families as they fled their homes, and countries, to escape the Holocaust during World War II.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Naeem ul Hassan, introduced the event and the guest speaker, Paul Laiken, producer of No Place on Earth. Paul talked about his experience of making the film and the memories of the some of the survivors forced to live in the Ukraine caves.
Holocaust Memorial Day is the international day of remembrance for the victims and the survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides. Each year there is a national theme which provides a focus to the event; this year's theme was Journeys.
Miss Ursula Gallagher, Head of Humanities at Saint Paul's, explained: "The pupils were able to learn how journeys themselves became part of genocide, and how the journeys undertaken were often experiences of persecution and terror for so many people who suffered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution and in the subsequent genocides. They were also able to look at the life stories of some of the survivors and how, in many instances, journeys of return have been part of the experience of rebuilding."
Miss Gallagher continued: "It is important that we involve young people in this learning so we can develop a legacy which teaches the next generation about respect and tolerance and instills the message of peace."
"This important event gives us an opportunity to take time out to remember the victims of the Holocaust and other atrocities and to look at how we can avoid such things happening in the future," commented Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul's. "The victims of the Holocaust and the terrible injustice which they suffered should never be forgotten."
For further information please contact:
Jane McAuliffe-Hall
Tel: 0161 499 0000
Direct Dial Tel: 0161 493 2859
E mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Pupil Travels to London to Receive Prestigious Award
Press Release- February 2014
A Year 7 pupil at Austin Friars St Monica's School travelled to the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London to receive a Lambeth Achievement Award.
Henry Johnson-Ferguson (aged 12) was one of a select number of school pupils across the country to be awarded with a Lambeth Achievement Award. Henry, who performed exceptionally well in his Key Stage 2 tests, was selected for the award by gaining level 5+ in Reading, Writing, Teacher Assessment and a Maths test.
Henry received a letter from Cathy Twist, Director of Education Learning and Skills for Lambeth who said, "The award ceremony will celebrate the achievement of not just pupils but also the contribution and commitment of families and teachers."
Henry said, "When I got the award I felt very proud. It was a shame because of the rain, but due to the Tube strike I got to cycle across London on a Boris bike."
The School is very proud of Henry's achievements and we look forward to sharing his future achievements with him.
- ENDS -
For further information contact:
Andrew Hullock
Marketing Administrator
Tel: 01228 550 719 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ealing student wins national poetry competition
Press Release-
A Year 11 pupil and budding poet at Ealing school, St Augustine's Priory has clinched first prize at the prestigious T.S Eliot Shadowing Prize Competition.
Ridhi Thukral was awarded the top prize after submitting a 500 word essay in support of Daljit Nagra, a professional poet and teacher who was nominated for the T.S Eliot Poetry Prize. Ridhi, a pupil of the independent Catholic girls' school, was inspired by the poet when he visited the school's English department and led a poetry workshop.
The pupil's winning essay highlighted her appreciation for Nagra's "artistic scope and multi-dimensional flair", as well as his "colloquial approach." Ridhi was invited to attend the prize giving and poetry reading at the South Bank Centre.
The T.S Eliot Shadowing Prize is hosted by the Poetry Book Society in association with the English and Media Centre. The awards are aimed at pupils aged 14-19 years old, who have a flair for poetry and an appreciation for the arts.
The prize is also designed to encourage teachers and students to read new exciting poems, published that year but aren't necessarily part of the National Curriculum or set text lists.
Ridhi Thukral said: "Winning this award was a great way to begin 2014. I am passionate about poetry and literature and Daljit Nagra is someone who particularly inspires me. Having the opportunity to meet him at our school in 2012, strengthened my love of poetry and opened my eyes to a variety of styles and tones."
Congratulating Ridhi on her win, Sarah Raffray, headteacher at St Augustine's Priory said: "Ridhi is a very accomplished pupil and we are very proud that she has received this national recognition. I would also like to congratulate the other girls at the school who entered the T.S Eliot Shawdowing Prize. Poerty is an important tool in teaching and studying English language and literature. We encourage this creative discipline at the school by inviting respected authors and poets including Daljit Nagra and Faber Poet, Tom Warner, to come and mentor the girls and share their work; it's an approach that continues to inspire and encourage our pupils."
Ends.
For further information please contact:
Rachel Mortell 01932 829077
Students Running to Nationals
Press Release- February 2014
Two pupils from Austin Friars St Monica's School are ranked in the top four in the North of England after excelling at the Northern Inter Counties Cross Country.
Camilla McKnespiey (aged 13) and Esme Davies (aged 12) helped Cumbria to win the Northern Inter Counties Cross Country event recently in Durham. In the year 8/9 girls race, Camilla finished 1st and Esme finished 4th out of a field of 70 girls from Durham, Cleveland, North Yorkshire and Cumbria. Both girls will now represent Cumbria at the English Schools Cross Country Championships in March where they will be racing for their England vests.
Also this year, Camilla and Esme both performed exceptionally well at the English Schools Fell Running Championship at Queen Katherine School, Kendal. In the year 8/9 girl's race of 140 competitors, Camilla and Esme ran brilliantly, finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The School would like to wish Camilla and Esme all the success at the English Schools Cross Country Championships in March.
For further information please contact:
Andrew Hullock
Marketing Administrator
Tel: 01228 550 719 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Saint Paul’s Pupils Join Youth Parliament
Staff and pupils from Saint Paul's Catholic High School in Wythenshawe were delighted to receive the news that their Head Boy, George McIlroy, and Head Girl, Mary Jayne Chadwick, have been elected for the Manchester Youth Parliament.
The Manchester Youth Parliament, part of the UK Youth Parliament, which is run by young people, provides opportunities for 11-18 year-olds to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change.
Now that they have been elected, George and Mary Jayne will be expected to find out the concerns and needs of other young people in their constituency, and represent these views to decision makers on a local, regional and national level.
The Youth Council have been given their own office inside Manchester Town Hall to reflect how serious the Council is about working with young people and listening to their voice.
Ms Michelle Davies, School Parliament Link teacher, explained: "This is a fantastic opportunity for George and Mary Jayne; during their term of office they will have the opportunity to get involved in a variety of events projects and campaigns. They will be able to get to know their local MP and provide feedback for meetings at the House of Commons."
"Whilst working Members of the Youth Parliament, the pupils will be able to develop their communication, debating, negotiating and public speaking skills. They will also have the chance to gain greater knowledge of politics and current affairs and enhance their ability to look at an issue from someone else's perspective, "commented Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul's.
For more information please contact:
Jane McAuliffe-Hall
Publicity and Marketing Manager
St Paul's Catholic High School, a Voluntary Academy and Engineering College
Tel: 0161 493 2859
E mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Living wage: Bristol school St Bede's Catholic College leads the way with fair pay commitment
By The Bristol Post | Posted: February 05, 2014
IT'S been a hot topic in political debates around the country for years, but to date there appears to have been more talk than action on the 'living wage' in Bristol. But one city school is leading the way by introducing it – the first in Bristol to do so.
Since the start of the year, St Bede's Catholic College in Lawrence Weston has been paying all its employees a minimum of £7.65 per hour, a rate deemed to be high enough to cover the costs of living in Bristol.
As a result, 20 workers at the secondary school and sixth form have seen a pay increase.
It was governors at the school who decided to bring in the salary rise, despite the likely consequence of the move being a reduction in the college's budget.
The school's principal, Catherine Hughes, said: "There was generally a welcome to this change when employees were told. Although governors recognise this will have a consequent impact on the budget, that is not justification for paying people less than a fair amount.
"We feel that it was important to become a living wage employer as it is an expression of our solidarity with those individuals and organisations striving to achieve fair pay for all."
The living wage is an hourly wage rate calculated to take into consideration the costs of housing, transport, food and basic essentials for the worker and their family.
In November 2012, the Catholic Bishops' Conference passed a resolution that fully endorses the principle of the living wage and encourages Catholic organisations and charities in England and Wales to work towards its implementation.
Their resolution recognised that fair wages were essential to the "common good" of society.
The term living wage came to prominence in Bristol when it became one of the election pledges of Labour mayoral hopeful Marvin Rees, who lost out to George Ferguson in the race to become the city's first elected mayor in 2012.
He promised to introduce a living wage in Bristol if he was elected to the figurehead post. He pledged to bring in a rate of not less than £7.20 an hour for all council employees and hoped it would be extended across all firms and organisations throughout the city.
Mr Rees said he would have started the living wage from day one of taking office, which would have made Bristol the first council in the country to implement such a policy.
He said evidence had shown that a living wage made business more ethical and also brought down absenteeism, built a more stable and less transient workforce and improved the quality of work that people carried out.
Eventually, all the candidates bar one pledged their to support for the living wage for Bristol.
The living wage was originally a figure determined by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University as a sum people can reasonably live on.
Pupils celebrate new addition to the school
Year 6 pupils at St Benedict's Catholic Primary school in Atherstone are celebrating the completion of their new classroom in a new block exclusively for the school's oldest pupils.
Following on from being re-confirmed by OFSTED as a "Good" school and achieving excellent SATs results, the school has looked to increase the number of pupils it can accept each year. But there simply wasn't enough space to do this and provide much needed before and after school care as well.
In November 2013 Warwickshire County Council endorsed the school's plans for the future and allocated £165,000 to fund the new facility. Only one other school in Warwickshire was awarded funding at the time.
School head teacher Mrs Susan Shannon said; "This new classroom in its own block gives our Year 6 pupils a little independence and a taster of life at secondary school. We have decorated to look more 'grown up' and the children have new state of the art white board, air conditioning and wifi."
She continued: "I am delighted that Warwickshire County Council has considered our school to be a priority for spending at a time when funding is tight and take this as a great vote of confidence in our ability to provide a fantastic education for children from Atherstone and the surrounding villages."
To mark the official opening of the Year 6 block the building was blessed by Fr Michael Miners at a ceremony attended by pupils, parents and a number of invited guests from, local schools, the Local Authority, City Sites who built the room and the Diocese.
For further information please contact:
Mrs Susan Shannon, Head Teacher – 01827 712320
Manchester Boy Socks It To The Competition
Elliot Heald, a 10-year old from St Elizabeth's RC Primary School, Wythenshawe, has beaten over 6,000 budding young designers from across the country to win a nationwide sock design competition.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first Fairtrade products sold in the UK, the Catholic aid agency CAFOD – a founding member of the Fairtrade Foundation – teamed up with SockShop to launch the special competition for 7-11 year olds to design an exclusive Fairtrade-themed sock.
Designs were submitted by more than 6,000 pupils from a staggering 142 schools, but Elliot, a Key Stage 2 pupil, was selected as the winner thanks to his beautifully creative design, and understanding of Fairtrade. The panel of judges impressed by Elliot's design included award-winning actress Jo Joyner, formerly Tanya Branning on Eastenders, and a senior designer from SockShop. As a prize, Elliot will receive a £100 voucher to spend at SockShop and will see his design made into a limited edition sock which will be sold on the SockShop website.
On finding out that he had won the competition, Elliot said:
"We learned about Fairtrade in school and I really enjoyed it because it's interesting to see how you can help other people. When I was designing my sock, I remembered that Fairtrade is about paying people a fair wage for things that they produce. It's about making people happy. So that's why I designed a sock with a smiley face made out of fruit.
"I can't believe that I won the competition. It really is amazing and I'm so excited that my design has been made into a sock and is being sold by SockShop. There are no words to describe the feeling!"
Jo Joyner said:
"I know it's a cliché but it truly was so difficult to choose the 10 finalists and then even harder to choose a winner. There was so much thought, time and creativity that had gone into the designs. Some of the slogans were worthy of a top ad agency! Most impressive was the fact that all the children seemed to have grasped completely the concept of fair trade.
"Elliot's design impressed the judges because it said so much in such a simple way. The smiling face out of the fruit demonstrating the happiness that fair trade brings. Crucially, in terms of a design, the colours, the fact that the design is on the ankle of the sock and the sense of humour displayed made Elliot's a really wearable sock. Congratulations!"
CAFOD Schools Programme Team Leader, Monica Conmee, said
"We are absolutely thrilled at the number of schools and individuals who entered the competition from all over the country. It's clear that the children have loved learning about the important issues surrounding Fairtrade in an interactive and creative way, whilst taking part in a unique competition. This has been the perfect way to celebrate 20 years of Fairtrade products in the UK."
CAFOD works with children, young people and young adults in England and Wales to deepen an understanding of the causes of global poverty and injustice, and offers ways to take action to bring about a just and sustainable world.
Visit cafod.org.uk/fairtradefeet to view the designs from all the runners up and the competition winner.
For more information please contact Ellie Wilcock at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / on 020 7095 5451 or 07540 265 715
Saint Paul’s takes part in 'Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth' celebration
Saint Paul's Catholic High School in Wythenshawe. together with UHSM (University Hospital South Manchester), joined local authorities, community groups and charities throughout the UK to mark Commonwealth Day. The school choir and Head Boy, George McIlroy, and Head Girl, Mary Jayne Chadwick, joined in the celebration event which was held to show appreciation of the values of the Commonwealth and the opportunities offered to its citizens around the world.
UHSM was the only hospital in the UK invited to fly a Commonwealth flag because of its links with a hospital in Uganda.
Outside Wythenshawe Hospital's main entrance, UHSM staff and Members of the Trust Board observed George and Mary Jayne raise the Commonwealth flag, and were serenaded by the school's choir. There was also a Commonwealth Affirmation and a message from Her Majesty The Queen.
"The children showed a great deal of maturity and their behaviour was excellent throughout the morning. We all enjoyed the songs they sang, and of course, the head boy and head girl raising the flag up the pole; it made for a memorable event, "commented Mr Paul Thorpe, Deputy Head of Communications at UHSM.
"Commonwealth Day is an opportunity to promote understanding on global issues, international co-operation and the work of the Commonwealth's organisations, which aim to improve the lives of its citizens," explained Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul's. "We hoped that through our involvement with the celebrations we would be able to give our pupils the opportunity to celebrate the unity, diversity and linkages of the modern Commonwealth and foster greater understanding of the Commonwealth's achievements and role."
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor Installed as Chancellor of Newman University
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release – 24 March 2014
Newman University continues its celebration of full university title with the installation of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor as its first Chancellor. As formal head of the University, he will take on a largely ceremonial role, carrying out ambassadorial and representative duties.
Commenting on his appointment, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said: "It is a great honour for me to be invited to become the first Chancellor of Newman University. In accepting, I am conscious of the admiration and devotion of so many people to the university Patron, Blessed John Henry Newman and I look forward to working with the University."
Addressing the congregation, the Cardinal continued: "To Newman, the university was about more than just qualifications, it was for a gentleman and gentlewoman to have "eyes on all (his/her) company; (to be) tender towards the bashful, gentle towards the distant, and merciful towards the absurd; (s/he) can recollect to whom he is speaking; guards against unseasonable allusions, or topics which may irritate; s/he is seldom prominent in conversation, and never wearisome."*
"In other words, a university education's primary objective is to shape the whole person; to cultivate the virtues and to leave an indelible mark on the mind and soul. I know that this is what Newman University does - it prides itself on developing the whole person and prepares you for life after graduation – and I pray that it will leave a mark on your soul and get you ready to have "eyes on all (your) company" when you leave the shores of this campus to pursue whatever your definite purpose in life may be."
Archbishop Bernard Longley, led the opening prayer and Archbishop Kevin McDonald preached the homily at the Mass of Celebration and Installation.
In his homily, Archbishop McDonald, Chair of the Bishops' Conference Committee for Other Faiths and of the Committee for Catholic-Jewish Relations, drew attention to the fact that Newman University is a popular choice for young people of other religions:
"Newman University is a Catholic foundation but one which welcomes students who belong to other Christian Communions, other faiths and people without religious affiliation. What I find both interesting and encouraging is that Newman University is, I understand, a popular choice for young people of other religions. I would like to think that part of the reason for that is the outreach and openness to other religions that has developed within the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council's Declaration on Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate, the 50th anniversary of which we celebrate next year."
And concluded by affirming the University in its choice of Chancellor: "Cardinal Murphy O' Connor is someone who over many years has sought to inspire people and communities to grasp opportunities and to have a vision for the future. He is the right person to be Chancellor of Newman University. With the election of Pope Francis, it seems to me that the Catholic Church is finding its bearings and finding new confidence in its role in the world."
Ends
* Taken from Cardinal Newman's 'The Idea of a University'
Photos from the Mass of Celebration and Installation of Chancellor
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jassansi/sets/72157642642337803/
Full homily – Archbishop Kevin McDonald
Homily for the installation of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor as first Chancellor of Newman University in Birmingham
20th of March 2014
I would like to begin, if I may, by congratulating everyone at Newman University on the fact that this institution has now become a University in its own right. I likewise congratulate Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor on being appointed its first Chancellor. As someone who was originally a priest of the diocese of Birmingham and who has visited Newman many times for many reasons I recognise that this is a particularly welcome and auspicious development.
While I was pondering how to address this new situation and, indeed, how to address this congregation, my mind returned to two occasions on which I have visited the city in recent years. One was the last occasion on which I addressed a University assembly. It was during the summer of 2005 when my own University, the University of Birmingham, was kind enough to award me an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity. That was a rather special experience for a bishop - an opportunity to address faculty, students and their families in a secular institution and offer words of encouragement and challenge to people of many faiths and none from a Christian and Catholic perspective.
Today is different. Newman University is a Catholic foundation but one which welcomes students who belong to other Christian Communions, other faiths and people without religious affiliation. What I find both interesting and encouraging is that Newman University is, I understand, a popular choice for young people of other religions. I would like to think that part of the reason for that is the outreach and openness to other religions that has developed within the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council's Declaration on Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate, the 50th anniversary of which we celebrate next year.
Relationships between religions have changed significantly in recent decades. When I was parish priest of English Martyrs in Sparkhill, the number of Muslim children in our school increased dramatically. Sometimes people would ask me: don't the Muslim parents object to having their children attend Christian prayers and RE lessons. I was happy to reply that, on the contrary, they were only too happy for their children to be taught in an environment of faith.
I would like to think that something analogous to that would characterise the ethos of Newman University. The future of our society and indeed of peace in our world depend crucially on the development of a culture of peace between religions. Pope John Paul's invitation to members of other religions to bear witness to peace with him in Assisi in 1986 continues to be an icon of the role and responsibility of the Catholic Church in facilitating understanding between the different religions present in our cities and in our increasingly globalised world.
I mentioned another occasion on which I came back to Birmingham and that was for the visit of Pope Benedict when he beatified Cardinal John Henry Newman and visited Oscott College. Cardinal Newman wrote a famous meditation which I think it is fitting to recall and apply today in this University which is named after him.
This is part of it:
God has created me to do him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission - I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught, I shall do good, I shall do his work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place while not intending it - if I do but keep his commandments.
There is, of course a message for each one of us in those words, but applying it to today's occasion, I want to say that any school or university should be a place where everyone matters and where people are able to identify and to develop their own particular gifts. It should also be a place in which people come to understand more fully that they have a role and a responsibility in the society in which they will live when they leave. Receiving a University education is a privilege but what is received in a University is not just received for one's own benefit. Rather it should shape and make possible the particular and unique contribution that each person has to make to the Common Good. And here in this University I can invoke Blessed John Henry Newman to say quite explicitly that each of us has a vocation within God's purposes and the more clearly we identify it the more we will fulfill it. In particular, that passage is a good antidote to what I would call the culture of choice. By that I mean the attitude of mind that focuses primarly, on my choices on what I want. We are called to be more than that.
The Word of God which we have heard gives indications and admonitions for today's occasion which may well be uncomfortable but are all the more urgent for precisely that reason. Each of the three readings questions us in turn about personal integrity, about prayer, and about faith. We all needed to hear them.
The second reading from St Paul's letter to Timothy interrogates us at this moment when we meet to pray in this chapel. It says "In every place, then, I want people to lift their hands up reverently in prayer, with no anger or argument." If this chapel situated as it is in the heart of this University were to be genuinely a place of prayer, that I think would significantly enhance the case for its being a separate and distinctive institution. If people of different religious backgrounds were to see this institution as one in which freedom to cultivate a life of prayer was fostered then it would certainly be special. People say we live in a very secular environment. I'm not sure that's true. But I do think that many people don't know how to pray even though many of them want to, they are not sure what it is.
The gospel tells us that no man can serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and money. The ambition to pursue a career simply in order to make yourself rich is not a choice for life. A decision to use your gifts to serve God, humanity and our environment is precisely a choice for life.
Birmingham is a vibrant city with great potential in all sorts of ways and not least spiritual potential. We should not listen too much to the siren voices that tell us that young people are not interested in faith or religion. Recently I was staying in a community in Austria where I met many young people from Central Europe with real passion for Jesus Christ but that was because there was someone to enthuse and inspire them. People just need to be inspired and to be led. What the future will bring to Newman University I do not know but I would encourage you to dream dreams and to look for vision and I am quite sure that there are people here who can nourish and inspire.
Cardinal Murphy O' Connor is someone who over many years has sought to inspire people and communities to grasp opportunities and to have a vision for the future. He is the right person to be Chancellor of Newman University. With the election of Pope Francis, it seems to me that the Catholic Church is finding its bearings and finding new confidence in its role in the world. That role and that profile is changing and developing not least because these have been times of purification and painful growth. There is a phrase from the Second Vatican Council that points to that development, where it says that the Church is as a "sacrament or instrumental sign of intimate union with God and of unity for the whole human race."
The Church is not here to impose itself on people but to be a sign and a witness to what human community is all about. We are here for everyone. The Church needs to be a place of freedom, of justice, and of worship. It seems to me the Newman University can be very much at home in that Church and will have a vital contribution to make to it. Everyone here today will join me in wishing every blessing to the new Chancellor, the Chair of Council, the Vice-Chancellor and all who work and teach and study here.
Saint Paul’s Pupil Sings at Twickenham!
Saint Paul's pupil, Ben Gill, was delighted to have been selected to perform the National Anthem alongside Laura Wright, England Rugby's official anthem singer at the RBS 6 Nations clash. Ben, who is in Year 10 at Saint Paul's Catholic High School in Wythenshawe joined pupils from other secondary schools to sing in front of a crowd of 82,000 fans as the England and Welsh teams lined up on Twickenham's hallowed turf.
Ben had been selected to represent the school as he was instrumental in starting off the Saint Paul's after-school Rugby club as the school joined the Rugby Football Union's All Schools programme.
The pyrotechnics at the ground illuminated his distinctive rugby shirt which he, and other Saint Paul's pupils, designed at a Canterbury kit design workshop. Canterbury, the official kit supplier to England Rugby, runs the workshops for each school to get pupils interested in, and actively involved in, rugby for their school. They use their school colours, emblems and mottos to inspire their drawings, before the kit manufacturer produces the final shirts that are worn with pride by the school's new rugby team.
England Head Coach, Stuart Lancaster, said: "The anthem is a powerful force of unity and on a match day is crucial in building support from the crowd to get behind the team before kick-off. Having created a shirt myself at one of the Canterbury workshops, where the students were also learning about the game's core values, I'm looking forward to seeing the huge variety of designs on show on Sunday."
Ms Laura Wild, Head of PE at Saint Paul's explained: "Whilst designing their shirts, the pupils were able to learn about the core values of rugby, the pride associated with the shirt and the importance of colours, logos and emblems."
"The Rugby Football Union's All Schools, which has Prince Harry as its Patron, is a fantastic programme which we are proud to support," added Ms Wild.
Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul's commented: "There was an amazing atmosphere at Twickenham and we were proud for our school to have been involved. It was fantastic to see the newly designed shirts make their debut at such a prestigious venue and event."
"The staff at Saint Paul's have a passion for rugby and would like to use this to help build the skills, confidence and aspirations of the pupils. We now look forward to seeing them in action in their new shirts on the rugby pitch!" added Mrs Minshall.
For more information please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
A history of St Edmund’s College – Book Launch
Press Release- 7th April 2014
In the presence of his Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Friday 28th March saw the official launch of the 'The History of St Edmund's College' written by Father Nicholas Schofield, Diocesan archivist and parish priest at Our Lady of Lourdes and St Michael, Uxbridge.
St Edmund's College is England's oldest Catholic school and both the Archbishop and Father Schofield spoke movingly about the rich history of this special institution, so key to the preservation of the thriving Catholic faith in England.
The book traces the fascinating journey from the College's 16th Century roots in Northern France and Hampshire to the flourishing community which exists today thanks to the efforts of such luminaries as Cardinal William Allen and the Douay Martyrs, Challoner, Stapleton, Talbot, Poynter, Douglass, Ward, Bourne, Knox and many, many others.
Paulo Durán, Headmaster, said, "This is the first step in what is a special phase for the College as we move towards our 450th anniversary in 2018. I am incredibly grateful for all the work that has been done by so many to produce such a fine book, particularly Father Schofield and David Kay, Old Edmundian and President Emeritus of the Edmundian Association'.
The book is for sale via www.stedmundscollege.org or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For further information contact:
Melanie Burke This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
A Fantastic DASH for Saint Paul's
March 2014- Press Release
Staff and pupils from St. Paul's Catholic High School in Wythenshawe took part in the first DASH (Diocesan Association of Secondary Headteachers) and Mini DASH meeting to be held at St. Paul's.
17 Headteachers and 80 pupils from the Diocese of Shrewsbury secondary schools attended the event. This was the largest gathering of pupils since Mini DASH first started.
The event is organised by the Diocese of Shrewsbury with the aim of getting together pupils from a number of schools to share ideas and work on ideas for future collaboration.
Visiting headteachers and pupils were welcomed by the school's prefects and then the day started with breakfast. Following this, the pupils completed some ice breaker activities enabling the pupils from the different schools to get to know one another.
Pupils then looked at the words of Pope Francis and Bishop Mark Davies on the meaning of Lent and its great importance to Christians leading up to Holy Week and Easter.
Each group was given a Station of the Cross to focus on and was asked to select some contemporary pictures that reflected the suffering of people in the modern world. A prayer was then written by each group that related each station to the problems of today.
The Headteachers then joined the pupils who led all present in a very thoughtful and moving reflection. The Headteachers were delighted to see the amazing collaborative work that had been carried out by pupils in such a short time. Other staff present thought that a very meaningful and prayerful atmosphere had been created and it was apleasure to be a part of it.
Mrs Lisa Baille, Assistant Headteacher and Head of RE at Saint Paul's, explained: "The pupils shared and discussed a wide variety of ideas and suggestions and were encouraged to take the ideas back to their own schools, passing them on and developing them. All involved thoroughly enjoyed the day which culminated with all the pupils being presented with goodie bags containing items such as a prayer book and prayer card of St. Paul. Many new friendships were made with pupils promising to remain in touch with each other."
"I was very proud of our pupils who were excellent ambassadors for the school and several people commented that the pupils who represented Saint Paul's were outstanding representatives and a credit to us," added Mrs Baillie.
"It's important to meet as a Diocese, because, whilst all the people who met together are very different, we all have one thing in common: our faith. The mini DASH is also a good chance to build up leadership skills, as the pupils in Mini DASH helped to plan the event," said MRS Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul's.
"It was an excellent opportunity for the pupils to mix with pupils from different schools to get together and share their thoughts."
London Catholic school receives national recognition for pupils' 'exceptional achievement'
Press Release - April 2014
This week the SSAT announced that The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School (CVMS) in London's Holland Park has been awarded with two SSAT Educational Outcomes Awards. The prestigious school is one of the highest achieving state comprehensives in the country and this latest recognition proves the school's success and commitment to improving student results at every level.
In 1914 the school opened its doors as a national memorial to Cardinal Vaughan who was appointed as the third Archbishop of Westminster by Pope Leo XIII in 1892. Since then, CVMS has continued to grow from strength to strength with its Catholic ethos and sound Catholic teaching preparing its pupils to meet their responsibilities as Catholics in society.
The school was identified for the SSAT awards by the significant added-value its teaching offers to pupils' education. In-depth analysis of official Department for Education data was conducted on all state-funded schools in England, with CVMS scoring in the top 20% of national schools for progress made by pupils between their key stage 2 results at primary school and their performance at GCSE. Headmaster, Mr P Stubbings, said:
"I'm delighted: coming top of national tables is always nice, but what is so pleasing about this particular award is that it recognises the hard work of the teaching staff to make sure that our pupils make the best of themselves, whatever their starting point. We never rest on our laurels, but are always seeking to improve- and that goes for the pupils, too."
The school has been invited to receive their award at a regional celebration ceremony hosted by SSAT at The St Marylebone CE school in London on 6th May.
The Chief Executive of SSAT, Sue Williamson, said:
"The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School should be congratulated for their exceptional achievement. They have proved themselves to be leading the field in improving GCSE outcomes for their students. There is so much good practice that this school could share, and I hope many schools will join us at the celebration ceremony for the chance to network and share strategies with award-winning schools."
"These results are testament to the commitment and hard work of the students, teachers and leadership team at the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School, and show what can be achieved when skilled teachers have high expectations and ambition for every young person. I am proud that this school is a member of the SSAT network."
Sisters set to shine in Irish Dancing World Championships
Champion Irish dancing sisters Niamh and Roisin Redmond are looking forward to the challenge of their young lives when they take part in the Irish World Dancing Championships at the Hilton Metropole in London this weekend.
The Davyhulme duo who both attend St. Antony's Catholic College in Urmston will be among 3,000 competitors at the global event which starts on April 13th.
Both girls started dancing when they were just four years old and have won a host of regional and national awards. Niamh has previously qualified as North-West irish dancing champion while Roisin has been runner up. The world championships however, is Irish Dancing's blue ribbon event.
Niamh, 15, said, "My aim is to get a recall for the final set dance and hopefully make it into the top twenty," while Roisin, 12, added, "If I could get into the top fifty I'd be pleased."
Both girls want to become Irish dancing teachers and work in the growing number of touring worldwide productions pioneered by the legendary Michael Flatley.
Mum Bev, who works at St. Antony's, said: "This is Irish Dancing's showcase and anyone who is anyone will be there, including Michael Flatley, who will officially open the event."
Bev added, "The girls have never competed against each other because they are in different age groups but have always been very supportive of each other, and for us its a family affair. All six of us will be going down to London and looking forward to a great few days."
The girls, who both train at the Morgan School of Irish Dancing in Manchester, complete up to five training sessions per week. With all that training in technique and endurance under their belts, the girls are confident but not complacent ahead of the event.
Niamh said, "We have trained and trained and have the necessarry technique and stamina, but it's all about getting it right on the day."
St. Antony's Catholic College Headteacher fiona Wright has said: "The girls have performed at a number of school events and always mesmerise the audience with their flawless routines. Everyone in the school community will be cheering them on."
Thornton Hosts Inset Event for Catholic Primary School Staff
Press Release- 25th April 2014
On Wednesday 2nd April Thornton College School for Girls hosted an inset training event for staff from all members of the Milton Keynes Liaison Group of Catholic Primary Schools.
There were over one hundred attendees including Head Teachers, Religious Education coordinators and staff from six schools in the Milton Keynes area of the diocese including: St Bernadette's, St Thomas Aquinas, St Mary Magdalene's, St. Monica's and Bishop Parker. The theme of the afternoon was 'Pass It On,' and the focus was on how to make bible stories relevant to everyday life.
The event began with afternoon tea, a chance to catch up with old colleagues as well as making new acquaintances. The group then went to the chapel where they had a prayerful reflection by Sister Mary James, the School Chaplain at Thornton, on the theme 'We are God's Instruments.'
This was followed by an inset training session by Matthew van Duyvenbode from the Bible Company and this time the theme was 'Pass It On'. His talk was thought provoking and provided a great deal of insight which can now be used to make bible stories relevant to children in our RE lessons.
Mrs Rose Darwin, Assistant Head and Junior School RE Coordinator at Thornton College said;
"We were delighted to welcome staff from the schools in the Milton Keynes area of the diocese to Thornton College. Colleagues were able to share ideas for assemblies and lessons and everyone commented on how helpful the afternoon has been."
For further information please contact: Kirsty Hassan 01280 812 610
Saint Paul’s Choir Sing with Gary Barlow
Press Release- April 2014
It's not every day you get to perform with a music legend, but that's exactly what happened for the pupils from Saint Paul's Catholic High School in Wythenshawe when they were invited to sing with pop icon Gary Barlow on his recent tour.
The school choir delighted a capacity audience with their vocal talents when they were selected to sing with Gary at the sell out concert at Manchester Phones4U Arena.
Under the musical direction of Gary Barlow and Saint Paul's Music teacher, Mr Daniel Hodsdon, the choir performed "Sing" the Official Diamond Jubilee song co-written by Gary Barlow and renowned musical theatre composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber. The song was originally performed by artists across The Commonwealth to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
The Choir had been busy in rehearsal for their big moment on the stage and they were rewarded with the incredible opportunity to sing alongside Gary Barlow and received a fabulous standing ovation after their performance. They certainly made Wythenshawe proud and gave the audience a night to remember!
One pupil said: "I can't put into words how amazing it was, it was one of best experiences I've ever been involved in. Singing in front of an arena full of people with Gary Barlow was mind blowing!"
Daniel Hodsdon explained: "We aim to provide a varied musical education at Saint Paul's, introducing children to the joy of music and the value in performing with others. To be given the opportunity of a lifetime to perform with Gary Barlow was fantastic. I felt so proud when the choir's performance concluded with thunderous applause echoing throughout the arena."
"To Sing 'Sing" alongside Gary Barlow was an incredible triumph for our school choir," said Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul's. "It was an amazing opportunity to showcase their remarkable talent and energy."
For Further information please contact:
Jane McAuliffe-Hall: 0161 499 0000 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Bingley and the Catholic Schools Partnership, chosen to help train the next generation of teachers
Press Release- May 2014
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, the lead school in the Catholic Schools Partnership (CSP) Teaching School Alliance, has been selected by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) to become a national teaching school – an important role in raising standards.
Teaching Schools and Teaching School Alliances will take a leading role in recruiting and training new entrants to the profession, identifying leadership potential and providing support for other schools.
Introduced in 2011, teaching schools are all rated as "outstanding" and mark a shift towards school-centred training. They work with partner schools in an alliance, including at least one university, to ensure high quality school-led initial teacher training and professional development opportunities for teachers at all stages of their career.
They raise standards through school-to-school support, engage in research and development, and ensure that the most talented school leaders are spotted and supported to become successful head teachers.
Mary McAndrew head teacher of St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School and National Leader of Education said:
"The CSP Teaching Schools Alliance is a group of schools in Bradford and Keighley who are committed to raising standards within Bradford and beyond by offering our pupils learning opportunities of the highest possible quality, enhanced by our distinctive Catholic ethos."
"Combining the wealth of expertise from our Alliance Members, including primary and secondary schools, sixth form colleges, the Diocese of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University, we are able to offer professional development opportunities in a wide range of fields and bespoke school to school support, which will ensure that the CSP is at the forefront of improving outcomes for children."
"The greatest benefit of being part of the CSP alliance is that it is owned by all our schools, all working together ensuring that a distinctive Catholic element is woven throughout all our work. Our firm belief and guiding principle is: 'Not my school but our schools'."
Saint Paul’s Help the Blind
Press Release - May 2014
A group of pupils from Saint Paul's Catholic High School in Wythenshawe recently took part in a Big Car Wash where they washed cars in order to raise money for Henshaws Society for Blind People.
The Year 10 pupils wanted to support a local charity and chose Henshaws because of their work with the blind and the visually impaired in the local community.
The aims of Henshaws are to improve the eye health of people living in the UK and eliminate avoidable sight loss. They also deliver excellent support to people with sight loss and enhance the inclusion, participation and independence of the blind.
The fund raising was led by Year 10 pupil, Niamh McLoughlin, who had a great desire to help the visually impaired and demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in her organisation of the week-long event.
"Niamh wanted to offer her support to Henshaws whose vision is to enable people with sight loss and people with other disabilities to build the skills and independence they need, to achieve the future they want," explained Ms Claire Bowman of Saint Paul's.
"She was inspired by the charity and wanted to help those with sight loss to achieve their full potential in life, enabling them to live independent and fulfilling lives."
Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul's, said:
"We are all very proud of Niamh and the initiative she has shown in raising the profile of Henshaws Society for the Blind and the commitment of her time and energy. Fundraising by students is a regular activity at Saint Paul's, it involves fun activities that help others and build group cooperation. We encourage fund raising activities which deepen students' understanding and enhance their potential to become well-informed active citizens."
The Church of England Education Division and Catholic Education Service have called for action on Religious Studies GCSE
5 November 2014
Press Release - For immediate release
The Church of England Education Division and Catholic Education Service have called for action on Religious Studies GCSE
The Church of England's Education Division and the Catholic Education Service (representing over 6,000 schools and 1.7 million pupils) have welcomed the Prime Minister's commitment to launch a new set of criteria for Religious Studies qualifications at GCSE and A-Level without delay.
The two religious bodies have worked closely with Department for Education officials to draft the new criteria, which ensures that Religious Studies offers pupils breadth, rigour and a rich understanding of systems of thought held by three quarters of the world's population.
The Church of England's Chief Education Officer, Rev'd Nigel Genders, said: "Looking at the world today, it is hard to overstate the importance of equipping the young people of this country with a challenging and rigorous education which includes religious literacy. This new set of criteria will provide qualifications which do exactly that, and I hope the government will act to launch them publically as soon as possible."
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, Chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference Department of Education and Formation, said: "In Catholic schools, Religious Education forms the core of the curriculum which is why we have worked closely with the Department for Education in developing a rigorous set of criteria. We are therefore excited about the opportunities that these will give our schools in delivering an academic study of religious education which conforms with the Bishops' requirements, and look forward to the imminent launch of the consultation."
Religious Education in Catholic schools
Why is Religious Education important in Catholic Schools?
Religious Education is the "core of the core curriculum" in a Catholic school (Pope St John Paul II). Placing RE at the core of the curriculum in Catholic schools helps the school to fulfill its mission to educate the whole person in discerning the meaning of their existence, since "Religious Education is concerned not only with intellectual knowledge but also includes emotional and affective learning. It is in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of what it is to be human truly becomes clear. Without religious education, pupils would be deprived of an essential element of their formation and personal development, which helps them attain a vital harmony between faith and culture." (Religious Education Curriculum Directory p4). Furthermore, religiously literate children and young people are able to engage in a fully informed critique of all knowledge, "leading, for example, to an understanding of the relationship between science and religion or history, and between theology, sport and the human body." (Religious Education Curriculum Directory p4).
What is the purpose of Religious Education in Catholic schools?
Catholic schools, with RE at their core, exist in order to "help parents, priests and teachers to hand on the Deposit of Faith in its fullness to a new generation of young people so that they may come to understand the richness of the Catholic faith, and thereby be drawn into a deeper communion with Christ in his Church." (Religious Education Curriculum Directory pvii). With this as their primary aim, Catholic schools serve diverse populations of pupils and within this context the Religious Education Curriculum Directory (RECD) makes the aims of Religious Education explicit:
- To present engagingly a comprehensive content which is the basis of knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith;
- To enable pupils continually to deepen their religious and theological understanding and be able to communicate this effectively;
- To present an authentic vision of the Church's moral and social teaching so that pupils can make a critique of the underlying trends in contemporary culture and society;
- To raise pupils' awareness of the faith and traditions of other religious communities in order to respect and understand them;
- To develop the critical faculties of pupils so that they can relate their Catholic faith to daily life;
- To stimulate pupils' imagination and provoke a desire for personal meaning as revealed in the truth of the Catholic faith;
- To enable pupils to relate the knowledge gained through Religious Education to their understanding of other subjects in the curriculum;
- To bring clarity to the relationship between faith and life, and between faith and culture.
The outcome of excellent Religious Education is religiously literate and engaged young people who have the knowledge, understanding and skills – appropriate to their age and capacity – to reflect spiritually, and think ethically and theologically, and who are aware of the demands of religious commitment in everyday life (Religious Education Curriculum Directory p6).
Who is responsible for determining the content and assessment of Religious Education in Catholic schools?
The content of Religious Education (RE) and how it is assessed is determined by each diocesan bishop for the schools within his diocese. The Department of Education and Formation of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales sets general guidelines for the content of the RE curriculum in all Catholic schools in England and Wales in the Religious Education Curriculum Directory. The same department has also set out the manner in which RE is to be assessed in all Catholic schools in England and Wales in Levels of Attainment in Religious Education.
Religious Education, alongside the National Curriculum, forms the Basic Curriculum in all schools (Education Act 2002). Whereas the content of the National Curriculum subjects is determined by the government, the determination of curriculum content of Religious Education in Catholic schools is determined by the Catholic bishops (School Standards and Framework Act 1998).
Do Catholic schools teach about other religions?
Yes, all Catholic schools are required to teach about other religions as part of the Religious Education curriculum. This is a feature of Catholic RE in all stages of a child's development, from the beginning of primary school until the end of secondary school.
Why do Catholic schools teach about other religions?
Teaching about other religions is important for several reasons:
- Learning about the religion and cultures of those who do not share the Catholic faith is one of the ways in which Catholic schools embody the call to love one’s neighbour. As the Church says, “The love for all men and women is necessarily also a love for their culture. Catholic schools are, by their very vocation, intercultural.” (Congregation for Catholic Education p61).
- It is required by the Bishops, who state that the Catholic nature of our schools entails “a willingness… to try to understand better the religion of one’s neighbours, and to experience something of their religious life and culture.” (Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales).
- Many of the children in Catholic schools are practicing members of other faiths and our schools need to be places of hospitality for these children. It is an act of respect and courtesy that our curriculum helps them to reflect on the nature of their own religious identity. As the Church says, “All children and young people [including those of other faiths in our Catholic schools] must have the same possibilities for arriving at the knowledge of their own religion as well as of elements that characterize other religions.” (Congregation for Catholic Education)
- It prepares the pupils in our Catholic schools for life in modern Britain, giving them an understanding of the beliefs of others. This in turn will improve social cohesion and contribute to the common good by increasing mutual respect between those of different religions.
How much of the RE curriculum is given to the teaching of other religions?
The RECD does not prescribe how much of the curriculum ought to be devoted to the teaching of other religions, however it is clearly an expectation that it should happen in every key stage. In practice, most Catholic schools would spend approximately one half term per year on the teaching of religions other than Catholic Christianity. The requirement in the revised GCSE that 25% of the study should cover a second religion is not incompatible with this practice. This is because in Catholic schools the 10% of curriculum time which is given to RE is more than is required to teach a GCSE which is designed to be taught in fewer hour than this. The expectation has always been that this additional time which Catholic RE departments have is to be given to the supplementing of the GCSE syllabus in such a way as to allow it to achieve the broader aims of Religious Education outlined above. As a rough estimate, 25% of the GCSE would amount to around 10-15% of the curriculum in KS4 in a Catholic school.
What is the relationship between the Church and the state in the running of Catholic schools?
Catholic schools and academies are owned by the Church but maintained in large part by the state. The Church contributes 10% to capital project costs and all other costs are borne by the state. This partnership between the Church and the state has existed since 1944 and allows Catholic families free access to a distinctive Catholic education. The distinctive nature of Catholic schools is practically embodied in the following legal requirements and provisions:
- The right of the bishops to determine the content of the RE curriculum in Catholic schools (Vatican)
- The right of Catholic schools to worship as a Catholic community
- The independence of the inspection of denominational education and worship which, in a Catholic school, cannot be inspected by an Ofsted inspector but must be inspected by an inspector appointed by the bishop (Education Act 2005).
- The right of a Catholic school to priorities Catholic children over those of other faiths in the over subscription criteria within Catholic schools’ admissions codes
- The requirement that certain key posts within a Catholic school are reserved for practicing Catholics. These posts include head teacher, deputy head teacher and curriculum leader of Religious Education.
- The requirement that foundation governors always constitute a majority on the governing body of any Catholic schools. The bishop has the right of appointment and dismissal of foundation governors in Catholic schools.
These distinctive characteristics of Catholic schools are guaranteed both canonically and statutorily.
Who inspects Catholic schools?
All Catholic schools and academies (including Catholic independent and special schools) are subject to a diocesan inspection (which for maintained schools is also a section 48 inspection) at least every five years. These inspections will be carried out by inspectors, licenced by the Catholic Schools Inspectorate, and appointed by the Bishop in whose diocese the school or academy is situated. (Education Act 2005).
All maintained Catholic schools and academies are also subject to Ofsted inspections at the intervals prescribed by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector. Catholic independent schools will also be inspected by an independent schools’ inspectorate.
What do Catholic schools teach about creation and evolution?
Catholics teach that God is the creator of all things visible and invisible. By this we mean that everything that exists has its ultimate source and origin in God.
Catholic schools however are not “creationist”. A “creationist” is someone who believes that the theological truths expressed in the first books of Genesis are also literal scientific and historic descriptions of the beginnings of the world. Some creationists would also insist that the earth is only approximately 6000 years old. This is not the position of the Catholic Church which rejects the creationist interpretation of Genesis. That is, Catholic schools do not teach that God’s creation of the world implies anything about how this creation occurred. The Catholic Church is clear that evolution is currently the best explanation of the origin and diversity of life on earth and that the earth is as old as current scientific orthodoxy suggests (approximately 4.54 billion years old). The Church would say that the doctrine of creation expresses a theological truth – that all existence derives from and depends upon God, whilst evolution expresses scientific truths about the history of the physical universe.
Catholic Church welcomes proposals for new Religious Education GCSE and A Level
Press Release- Friday 7th November 2014
The Catholic Education Service (CES) has welcomed the Government’s proposals for a new academically rigorous Religious Education GCSE and Religious Education A Level. The proposals, which are out for public consultation, put forward a more academically rigorous GCSE which includes the teaching of two religions. The widely welcomed A Level reforms propose increased religious content to ensure the right breadth and depth of study to support students progressing to higher education.
The Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon OP KC*HS, Archbishop of Liverpool, and Chairman of CES said: “Theologically rigorous RE is a core part of Catholic education. These reforms to GCSE RE and A Level RE provide us with an opportunity to ensure that Religious Education at GCSE and A Level in Catholic schools is academically and theologically rigorous in accordance with Canon Law.
“Catholic schools account for 25% of the entries at RE GCSE and 20% of the entries at RE A Level. As the single largest provider of entries to both RE GCSE and RE A Level, we have worked in partnership with the Government to ensure that these proposals are fit for purpose in Catholic schools. We welcome the assurances from the Secretary of State that these proposals do not undermine the autonomy of the Catholic Bishops to determine and inspect religious education in Catholic schools.
“All Catholic schools are required by Church teachings to raise pupils’ awareness of the faith and traditions of other religious communities in order to understand and respect them. These new proposals will facilitate Catholic schools in this duty.”
RE must make up at least 10% of curriculum time in a Catholic school and is inspected separately under long-standing arrangements currently set out in the 2005 Education Act.
Notes to editors
The Catholic Education Service (CES) is an agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
Catholic schools represent 10% of state maintained schools and currently make up 25% of all entries to GCSE RE and 20% of all entries to RE A Level. (Source: Department for Education ‘KS4 qualification and subject data’ KS5 qualification and subject data http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance/download_data.html )
Church teaching on the requirement for all Catholic schools to teach interreligious-dialogue can be found in the following Vatican and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales documents:
- Congregation for Catholic Education (for Institutes of Study), Educating to Intercultural Dialogue in Catholic Schools Living in Harmony for a Civilization of Love, Vatican City (2013)
- The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Meeting God in Friend and Stranger, CTS, London (2010)
- The Department of Catholic Education and Formation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Religious Education Curriculum Directory (RECD), 2012,
The Religious Education Curriculum Directory states the aims of Religious Education (p6):
- To present engagingly a comprehensive content which is the basis of knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith;
- To enable pupils continually to deepen their religious and theological understanding and be able to communicate this effectively;
- To present an authentic vision of the Church’s moral and social teaching so that pupils can make a critique of the underlying trends in contemporary culture and society;
- To raise pupils’ awareness of the faith and traditions of other religious communities in order to respect and understand them;
- To develop the critical faculties of pupils so that they can relate their Catholic faith to daily life;
- To stimulate pupils’ imagination and provoke a desire for personal meaning as revealed in the truth of the Catholic faith;
- To enable pupils to relate the knowledge gained through Religious Education to their understanding of other subjects in the curriculum;
- To bring clarity to the relationship between faith and life, and between faith and culture.
The outcome of excellent Religious Education is religiously literate and engaged young people who have the knowledge, understanding and skills – appropriate to their age and capacity – to reflect spiritually, and think ethically and theologically, and who are aware of the demands of religious commitment in everyday life.
Stella Maris resources for schools
Catholic Education Service annual census now more reliable than ever
Press Release – 28 November 2014
Today the Catholic Education Service (CES) published its annual census of Catholic schools and colleges in England and Wales. This year the response rate from Catholic schools reached 100% making this data the most accurate ever.
Paul Barber, Director of CES, said “It is a testimony to the hard work of all involved that this year’s census had a 100% return rate. This means that our data is much more reliable than many other sources of national data and provides a clear indication of the important role that Catholic schools play in the education sector. As the largest provider of secondary schools and the second largest provider of primary schools, we will continue to work to raise education standards and provide an inclusive education for all.”
The Census revealed a growth in the size of the sector with an increase of 3795 pupils educated in Catholic maintained schools and an increase of 1322 teachers working in Catholic maintained schools in England since last year. The Catholicity of pupils and teachers remained constant from previous years.
The Census also showed that Catholic schools continue to serve more diverse communities and there has been an increase in the proportion of pupils from ethnic minorities. 35.9% of pupils in Catholic maintained primary schools are from ethnic minority backgrounds (29.5% nationally) and 31.4% of pupils in Catholic maintained secondary schools are from ethnic minority backgrounds (25.3% nationally).
The proportion of pupils from deprived areas has also increased from last year. 17.9% of pupils at Catholic maintained secondary schools live in the most deprived areas (12.0% nationally). In primary schools the gap has widened considerably since 2013. 19.2% (18.4% in 2013) of pupils at Catholic maintained primary schools live in the most deprived areas (10% (13.8% in 2013) nationally).
Note to editors
The Catholic Education Service (CES) is an agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
The CES Census digests for England and for Wales and a Key Facts summary bookmark can be found on our website http://www.catholiceducation.org.uk/ces-census
National conference for senior leaders of Catholic secondary education
Thursday 29 and Friday 30 January 2015
At the Thistle Hotel, Marble Arch
Bryanston St, London W1H 7EH
"Be Ambitious for the Higher Gifts"
Please contact David Dawson for more infomation and to book a place: dtdawson100 @ hotmail.com
OFSTED confusion over British Values
Press Release - 15th December 2014
St Benedict's Catholic School in Bury St Edmunds was shocked to learn that the school has been placed on an Ofsted list of schools that are not dealing effectively with extremism and radicalism, despite Ofsted inspectors highlighting none of these concerns in their recent no-notice inspection in September.
Mr O'Neill, Headteacher of St Benedict's, said, "I can only suppose that the inclusion of St Benedict's on the list was the result of the first "flawed" inspection report. I could just about understand how that error might have occurred. What worries me is that Ofsted were informed of the mistake two weeks ago, and have failed to provide an adequate response. It is also very disturbing that, if they do maintain that the dangers of radicalisation and extremism still exist at St Benedict's, they have done nothing to inform me, the governors or the Diocesan Education Office of the danger.
"We have had to accept that the no-notice inspection was not triggered by the "Trojan horse" affair, but was a routine inspection- despite the fact that it took place less than 18 months after our previous inspection. The continuing accusation that this school is one of a handful identified with radicalisation and extremism concerns is hugely disturbing. I think parents and the local community deserve to know why St Benedict's Catholic School remains at the centre of this Ofsted focus, when their Senior HMI, Asyia Khazmi, assured both me and the governors that she was satisfied that no such concern remained.''
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service, said, "We are extremely concerned that Ofsted is publicly listing St Benedict's as one of the eleven schools which 'were not preparing pupils for life in Britain today.' These concerns cannot be found in the School's Ofsted report. This is an unjust and unsubstantiated accusation and we hope Ofsted will clarify this matter and apologise to the school and parents for the confusion and upset caused.
"We are proud that Catholic schools promote values that are both Catholic and British, including: respect for the individual, democracy, individual liberty, respect, tolerance and inclusiveness. Our schools promote cohesion by serving more ethnically diverse and poorer communities. Catholic schools provide high standards of education which are popular with parents from all social, economic and faith backgrounds.
"We welcome the role of Ofsted in ensuring accountability, transparency and inclusive education for all, regardless of belief. However it is essential that Ofsted provides support and clarification for their own staff on the matter of British Values to prevent mistakes like this from reccurring."
Ends
Saint Paul’s Take Part in Parliament Week
Press Release - 15th December 2014
The goal of Parliament Week is to engage young people with the democratic process, and this was certainly embraced by the pupils of Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe. As part of Parliament Week the pupils engaged in a multitude of activities aimed at raising awareness and understanding of Parliament and democracy in the UK.
The aim of Parliament Week is to highlight the work and history of the UK Parliament, how it is relevant to UK citizens and how pupils can get involved in the democratic process. The event was founded in 2011, and is co-ordinated by the House of Commons with support from the House of Lords.
At Saint Paul’s, the pupils took part in an open debate group, a Question Time with the Head Teacher and the week culminated with whole school parliament elections.
“We were very keen to get our pupils involved in Parliament Week and raise their awareness of the democratic process,” explained Ms Michelle Davies, School Parliament Link teacher. “The programme of events at Saint Paul’s was designed to inspire, engage and connect our pupils with parliamentary democracy. It’s been a fantastic opportunity for them to take part in a nation-wide initiative that helps them become better informed about their Parliament.”
“Parliament Week was a great opportunity for our pupils to engage and connect with politics and their Parliament,” commented Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “The Week also offered a fantastic opportunity to highlight the work and history of the Houses of Parliament and to discuss Parliament’s relevance with students.”
Ends.
Flame II, National Youth Congress, March 7th 2015
Flame2 is the largest National Catholic Youth event of 2015, taking place in the SSE Wembley Arena on Saturday 7th March 2015.
Doors open at 11, and Flame2 starts at 12, finishing at 5.30pm.
The SSE Wembley Arena will be filled with 10,000 young people from across the country, receiving faith-filled inspiration from world class speakers. Confirmed speakers include Cardinal Luis Tagle from Manila, Philippines; Baroness Sheila Hollins; Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP; and David Wells.
Throughout the day speakers will give bursts of input, interspersed with world class music and drama, in an atmosphere full of joy. Music will be provided by double grammy award winning Matt Redman and his band. The day ends with a time of Adoration led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
Flame2 is open to anyone in school year ten and above, up to young adult (i.e. aged approx. 14-21).
Bookings will be accepted from groups of ten or more.
{youtube}www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG1Y9NqAfm0|560|315{/youtube}
For more infomation please see CYMFED's website
Below is a letter from Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbiship of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
Don Bosco Goes Digital! A Fresh Resource For Youth Ministers
Press release – CatholicYouthWork.com Launch, Feast of St John Bosco, 31st of January
Don Bosco Goes Digital! A Fresh Resource For Youth Ministers
Today, on the feast of St John Bosco, the Salesians re-launch CatholicYouthWork.com a resource for everyone who is involved in working with young people in the Church. It offers a place for resources, jobs, a forum to share ideas and find support as well as somewhere to keep up to date with the latest youth ministry news and events. Dermott Donnelly, Chair of CYMFed, the Catholic Youth Ministry Federation in England and Wales, said, "this is a fantastic resource that will help strengthen and support the Church's important work with young people".
"We know there are lots of people out there doing great work with young people", Chris Knowles, Editor of the site said, "they're all doing fantastic things, having amazing ideas and putting exciting plans into action, but the problem is that we're too often disconnected from one another. This site is a place we can all come together to share ideas, resources and good practice, and was designed specifically to facilitate this. So we invite you to come onto the site, join the forum and start to share ideas and resources!"
The Salesians have invested in the site since taking it on last summer, Provincial Fr Martin Coyle thought it was important to start this new project because "it's a great way to use new technology to help those who minister to young people, there really isn't anything else like this out there. This year we celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of St John Bosco, so while he wouldn't recognise a website if he saw one, he did love new technology like the railways and the modern printing presses of his time, things that made it easier to bring people together and share the Gospel. This project is particularly appropriate way for us to continue to live out his mission today"
The site is a resource that is offered completely free of charge, anyone can register to get involved in the forum and receive our resource and ideas emails. The site is strengthened by more people getting involved because as they get involved in sharing resources and ideas, we can better resource and support people in their work. Last year we attracted between 5 and 11 thousand page views each month, and we hope this will grow as we keep the site up to date with new resources and ideas for people who work with the young in the Church.
Notes for editors
- http://CatholicYouthWork.com - new site live now
- The site relies on local practitioners getting involved in the site, sharing resources, ideas and good practice as well as being there to support others.
- CatholicYouthWork.com has over 900 registered users and last year attracted between 5 and 11 thousand page views each month.
- Jack Regan created the site in 2007 out of a desire to use the internet to bring people in Catholic youth work together to share ideas and resources. Over the years the site grew and had a thriving community forum, but in time became too big to be managed on a voluntary basis alongside full time work. Jack Regan is now Youth Advisor for Arundel and Brighton Diocese.
- The Salesians bought the site in the summer of 2014, and they have been planning and developing the new site in consultation with many people involved in youth ministry. Responsibility for it going to Salesian Link, the Media and social communications office of the Province.
- Chris Knowles, the new editor has been involved in youth ministry for many years, having worked as a Lay Chaplain at Loreto 6th Form College in Manchester and Savio House, the Salesian Retreat Centre in Macclesfield
- The site is supported by donations, paid job adverts and a substantial contribution from the Salesians of Don Bosco in Great Britain.
- The bicentenary of the birth of St John Bosco is on the 16th of August 2015, a series of events celebrating it are planned, more information about this can be found here http://www.salesians.org.uk/bi-centenary/2015-celebrating-the-bi-centenary-of-don-boscos-birth.html
For more information, contact Chris Knowles at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 07732442308
Preparing for the Election: Encouraging Active Citizenship in Catholic Schools
Press release – Tuesday 10 February 2015
The Catholic Education Service is providing schools and teachers with resources to use in the run up to the general election. The resources follow the theme of ‘Active Citizenship’.
The CES has produced a collection of resources for schools and teachers to use in order to encourage Catholics of school-age to take part in active citizenship. The resources are available to download from the CES website www.catholiceducation.org.uk and include: lesson resources on the political process, lesson resources on the Church and politics, theological resources on what the Church says about ‘active citizens’, saints and prayer cards, profiles of Catholics in public life, and useful links.
The director of the CES, Paul Barber, said, “These resources are an excellent way for schools and teachers to encourage active citizenship in their pupils from a young age. The range is age-appropriate and uses the Catechism of the Catholic Church to reflect the ways in which Catholic values assist and support the objectives of active citizenship.”
As the general election approaches, the work of the CES links to the call of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales for all Catholics "to think about the kind of society we want here at home and abroad." For Catholics over the age of 18 and eligible to vote this means to engage positively in the democratic process, but for Catholics of all ages this means to reflect on and act to ensure we are all active citizens.
David Laws congratulates Catholic schools for supporting disadvantaged pupils
Saint Paul’s Gardeners Raise Funds to Develop Their School Garden
Press Release - February 2015
The children from the Green Fingers Club at Saint Paul's High School in Wythenshawe are passionate about developing their new school garden and have been out and about raising money to fund this development.
This week a group of the enthusiastic pupils gave up their Saturday to “bag pack” at a local supermarket to raise money to support the creation of the Gifted Garden and Outdoor Classroom.
Mrs Angie Holland, who organized and supervised the fund raising, said: “The children freely gave up their spare time and were very enthusiastic about helping the shoppers. I was very impressed; they were fantastic ambassadors for Saint Paul’s.”
Mrs Cathie Halbert, who isleading the projectand helped alongside the pupils, said: “The pupils are dedicated to the creation of a beautiful garden which everyone at the school and in the local community can share. They are rightly proud of the work they have done so far and are looking forward to developing the garden further. We have already been impressed by the range of fruit and vegetables which they have grown. We are pleased to see that this is having a positive impact on their food habits and attitudes encouraging more healthy food choices.
We are bonding well as we work together to overcome our fear of creepy crawlies! I have been really impressed by the way the pupils ‘get stuck in’ to the grubby tasks with as much gusto as the high profile tasks. The year groups are spreading as we have now have Years 7-10 involved now. It’s a great way for the pupils to mix socially as well as in a work environment.”
“The garden will offer many benefits to the school including hands-on, experiential learning opportunities in a wide array of disciplines such as science, nutrition, maths and the arts,” explained Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “Already, whilst working in the garden, we can see the pupils developing skills such as the communication of knowledge or emotions which will help them be more successful in school.”
--- ENDS ---
Notes for Editors
- Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country.
- At the last Ofsted inspection of the school, the following comments were made by the inspectors: “Good teaching enables students to make good progress and achieve well. Relationships between teachers and students are strong. They result in good behaviour.”
The report stated that the school is “enabling students to learn effectively and make good progress. Attainment is rising rapidly as a result. Achievement for all students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those with English as an additional language, is good.”
- The Ofsted report is reinforced by the preceding inspection of the school by the Diocese of Shrewsbury under the guidance of the Bishop of Shrewsbury. The Diocese report stated “Saint Paul’s is a good Catholic school. The Head and Senior Leadership Team have a clear vision ….. an outstanding feature of the school is the pastoral care of students and the support of staff.”
- On 1st April, 2013 Saint Paul’s Catholic High School joined with St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School and St John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School to form the Wythenshawe Catholic Academy Trust (MAT – Multi Trust Academy). St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School later joined the Trust.
- Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
- The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
- Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources.
- The aims of the school are to:
- Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
- Provide teaching of the highest calibre
- Promote excellence in all areas
- Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
- Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More information about Saint Paul’s Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or contact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 499 0000.
Catholic Education Service response to Education Select Committee Report ‘Life lessons: PSHE and SRE in schools’
Press Statement – 17 February 2015
Relationship & Sex Education (RSE) is essential for young people to learn about the nature of marriage, family life and relationships, taught in an age appropriate way. In Catholic schools RSE must be taught in the context of Church teaching and with the full consultation and involvement of parents.
The Catholic Education Service (CES) submitted written evidence to the Education Select Committee inquiry on PSHE and SRE and were called to give oral evidence. We are pleased that our comments are shown within many of the Committee’s recommendations.
We welcome the Committee’s support for the role of parents in RSE. This is shown in their recommendations that all schools should be required to run a regular consultation with parents on the school’s RSE provision and that the parental right to withdraw their child from elements of RSE should be retained.
We welcome the Committee’s emphasis on relationships within RSE. The CES will continue to highlight the importance of teaching RSE within a context which considers Church teaching, parents’ wishes and the culture of the community that the school serves. We believe in subsidiarity and that Governing Bodies should be able to decide what resources are most appropriate for the school.
We also welcome funding of continuous professional development for teachers and Ofsted’s oversight of the subject. We congratulate The John Henry Newman Catholic School, a secondary comprehensive school in Stevenage, as the best practice example used by the Committee to illustrate what outstanding RSE looks like.
Ends
Currently, Catholic schools, like all other schools in England, are required to produce a written policy following the guidance issued by the Department for Education on Sex and Relationship Education (SRE).
Education Select Committee’s Report can be found here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmeduc/145/14502.htm
A summary of the Education Selection Committee’s report can be found here: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/education-committee/news/pshe-sre-report/
More information can be found on Ofsted’s website about The John Henry Newman Catholic School as providers of outstanding sex and relationships education in a Catholic context https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/outstanding-sex-and-relationships-education-in-a-catholic-context
Catholic schools make up 10% of the national total of maintained schools. There are 2156 Catholic schools in England educating 816,007 pupils and employing 47,986 teachers.
Saint Paul’s Pupils Participate in Safer Internet Day
Press Release - February 2015
Staff and pupils from Saint Paul's High School in Wythenshawe joined together to mark Safer Internet Day, a national initiative to promote the safe and responsible use of technology.
Digital literacy skills are key life skills for all children and young people these days: for example, knowing how to effectively search for and evaluate online content, knowing how to protect personal information and reputation, respecting copyright and intellectual property, and knowing where to get help if problems are encountered. Saint Paul’s wants its pupils to develop these skills, and continually looks for opportunities across the curriculum to reinforce online safety messages.
The pupils were given some valuable advice for keeping safe on the internet by boy band ‘In Hindsight’. As well as performing some of their recently released tracks, the band members were in school to warn learners about the risks of cyber-bullying and its effects. They gave out lots of tips about things to do and not to do when online and also held a question and answer session on the subject.
The band said: “Just a few years ago we were at school, so we have been in your position before. We know exactly what pressures you are under and what you go through at school; what we’re here to do today is to help you guys make the right decisions in life, and to stay safe online.”
Mrs Claire Hunt, Assistant Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s, said: “Today the online world is very much part of children’s lives; technology is embedded in every aspect of their lives whether it is work or play. They are growing up in a digital world and we want to promote the safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones. It is important to teach the pupils about best practice, safety and personal responsibility.”
“New digital technologies offer a wealth of opportunities for children and young people – they can learn, create and communicate in a myriad of ways,” explained Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “As a school, we work hard to promote good behaviour online. We have a responsibility to keep or pupils safe and this includes helping them to use new digital technologies safely and responsibly, wherever and whenever they go online.”
--- ENDS ---
Notes for Editors
- Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country.
- At the last Ofsted inspection of the school, the following comments were made by the inspectors: “Good teaching enables students to make good progress and achieve well. Relationships between teachers and students are strong. They result in good behaviour.”
The report stated that the school is “enabling students to learn effectively and make good progress. Attainment is rising rapidly as a result. Achievement for all students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those with English as an additional language, is good.”
- The Ofsted report is reinforced by the preceding inspection of the school by the Diocese of Shrewsbury under the guidance of the Bishop of Shrewsbury. The Diocese report stated “Saint Paul’s is a good Catholic school. The Head and Senior Leadership Team have a clear vision ….. an outstanding feature of the school is the pastoral care of students and the support of staff.”
- On 1st April, 2013 Saint Paul’s Catholic High School joined with St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School and St John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School to form the Wythenshawe Catholic Academy Trust (MAT – Multi Trust Academy). St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School later joined the Trust.
- Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
- The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
- Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources.
- The aims of the school are to:
- Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
- Provide teaching of the highest calibre
- Promote excellence in all areas
- Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
- Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More information about Saint Paul’s Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or contact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 499 0000.
British Values
Below are two documents on the topic of Catholic and British values which schools may find useful.
- This document provides practical advice for Catholic schools on British values. The document includes example ideas of what schools can do for each of the British values, suggestions of how to communicate British values on their school website and a section on myth busting.
- This document provides the background to the British values debate and Prevent duty. Click here for the Department for Education advice for schools on the Prevent duty.
See below for a powerpoint connecting Catholic values and British values, which can be used to discuss British values in the classroom.
Publications
Pupils celebrate World Book Day
It was raining books at St. Antony's Catholic College as a who's who of the nation's favourite literary characters celebrated the written word.
“Improving literacy has been at the heart of a dramatic rise in academic standards at St. Antony's over the last 12 months and World Book Day provides a wonderful opportunity to maintain and drive on that surge in interest,” said Associate Headteacher Fiona Wright.
The Literacy Coordinator at the Urmston faith school Michaela Smith explained: “World Book is just one initiative in our goal to improve every single child's reading age. Each book in our library is assigned its own colour according to its reading age level with children striving to move onto the next level. We have book clubs for different age levels and also for those children who have English as a second language so we can get them up to speed as quickly as possible. We set holiday reading challenges with children having to write reports and answer questions on their holiday reading lists. We go into our feeder primary schools so children coming into Year 7 are given books to read and understand the challenges ahead of them and we have also introduced literacy mats with key principles of punctuation and spelling so children can check their own work as they are actually writing.”
Josh Donald Brown, 12, who came as the Gangster Granny said: “We all love reading books and want to read what our friends are reading next.”
Saint Paul’s Pupils Pledge their Support for a Safer Internet
Press Release - March 2015
Pupils from Saint Paul's High School in Wythenshawe took part in Safer Internet Day which was celebrated globallywith the slogan ‘Let’s create a better internet together’.
The pupils made pledges focused on promoting the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology which they committed to paper and were given silicone wristbands to celebrate their involvement with the event.
Mrs Claire Hunt, Assistant Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s, said: “The day offered us the opportunity to highlight positive uses of technology and to explore the role we all play in helping to create a better and safer online community. We called upon staff, parents and pupils, to join together to help create a better internet. The wristbands and the pledges helped mark the day and our commitment.”
It was wonderful to see our pupils joining in so enthusiastically with this national initiative to promote the safe and responsible use of technology. It is vital that we teach young people about the importance of personal safety and acting responsibly online,” explained Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s.
--- ENDS ---
Notes for Editors
- Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country.
- On 1st April, 2013 Saint Paul’s Catholic High School joined with St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School and St John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School to form the Wythenshawe Catholic Academy Trust (MAT – Multi Trust Academy). St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School later joined the Trust.
- Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
- The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
- Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources.
- The aims of the school are to:
- Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
- Provide teaching of the highest calibre
- Promote excellence in all areas
- Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
- Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More informaiton about Saint Paul's Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or conteact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 499 0000.
Campaign launches to attract new RE teachers
‘Beyond the Ordinary’ campaign aimed at graduates and career changers
A new campaign to encourage graduates and career changers to train as RE teachers is launched today by the Religious Education Council of England and Wales (REC).
The Beyond the Ordinary campaign will highlight the benefits of a career in RE teaching and raise awareness of the reintroduction of bursaries available to cover training costs. The campaign is the first to specifically target trainee RE teachers and is being funded by donations from charitable trusts*.
817 Initial Teacher Training places are available for RE from September 2015. Successful candidates will be eligible to receive training bursaries of £9,000 per year (for a 1st class degree or PhD) or £4,000 per year (for a 2:1) after the funding was introduced by the Department for Education for trainee RE teachers last year.
The centrepiece of the campaign is a three minute video which looks at the experiences of RE teacher Lynsey Wilkinson and her students from Redhill Academy near Nottingham. It presents RE teaching as a career that is far from ordinary, and communicates the breadth and diversity of RE in schools today.
Social media, direct marketing via UCAS, and links with universities and training providers will be used to reach potential candidates.
Rudolf Eliott Lockhart, Chief Executive Officer of the REC, said:
“There is a growing need for qualified specialist RE teachers in our schools so now is great time to enter the profession. Increasing religious literacy is extremely important in today’s society. Issues of religion and belief frequently top the news agenda and helping students make sense of them is immensely rewarding and intellectually stimulating.
“No other career gives people the opportunity to tackle the big questions in life and to explore the impact of faith and belief on people’s lives like RE teaching.”
Campaign lead Kathryn Wright, director of the Teach RE course at Culham St Gabriel’s Trust, added:
“RE teachers come from all walks of life, from postgraduates with relevant degrees to career changers looking for a new challenge. A teacher trainee coming to RE as a second or third job tends to be looking for a subject that will offer a challenge, draw on their life skills and is different and more stimulating than what they are used to.
“This campaign is intended to capture the interest and imagination of those who may have considered teaching, but may not have necessarily thought about a career as a RE teacher.”
RE remains an extremely popular subject among students. Entries to the full course GSCE have risen 19 per cent since 2012 and the subject has the largest number of entries after English, Maths and Sciences. A level entries have also increased more than any arts, humanity or social science subject over the past 10 years and RE is recognised by leading universities as a useful entry point for arts and science degrees.
Anyone looking for more information about training to be a RE teacher should visit www.teachre.co.uk/beyondtheordinary.
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
*Beyond the Ordinary is being led by the Religious Education Council and is funded by the Culham St Gabriel’s Trust, the Jerusalem Trust and the St Christopher’s Trust, with support from the National Association of Teachers of RE (NATRE) and the Association of University Lecturers in Religion and Education (AULRE).
Campaign assets for media use include photography and a short film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzvZTFmp6qc.
Media enquiries:
Colin Hallmark / Harriet Johnson, 3:nine Communications
Tel: 0207 736 1888
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Catholic Knowledge Network
The Catholic Knowledge Network has designed posters for classrooms. The background is that currently students acquire a narrative from the surrounding culture that Catholicism is anti-reason and anti-science. This poster project is an attempt to correct this impression and courteously contribute to a correct understanding of the place of Catholicism, namely as mother of Western civilisation.
The Catholic Truth Society has turned the ideas and descriptions into visually stunning, A2 laminated posters and with the hope that every Catholic school and many others should have a set. Copies of the latest posters: Thomas Aquinas, Bede the Venerable and Hildegard of Bingen can be downloaded below. The other posters in the series are Guido d'Arezzo, Maria Agnesi, Georges Lemaître, Gregor Mendel and J.R.R. Tolkien. They can be ordered from the Catholic Truth Society website.
A Celebration of Achievement at Saint Paul’s
Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe threw open its doors to welcome former pupils and their families. The former pupils were returning to the school for a special Certificate and Awards Presentation where they received their exam certificates.
The event is the school's annual celebration of the achievements of its pupils during the previous academic year with awards being given to pupils from last year’s Year 11 for both achievement and progress.
Parents, friends, pupils and teachers gathered to recognise the achievements of the pupils and this important milestone in their lives. The event was another proud moment for the school and a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the success of the students and the staff who support them.
Assistant Headteacher, Mrs Claire Hunt, commented: “The Presentation Ceremony and lunch where ex-pupils return to school to collect their exam certificates is a high point in the school calendar. Their proud families joined with us to celebrate their wonderful achievements.”
Mrs Hunt added: “After the ceremony, parents, ex-students, other guests and staff mingled and chatted over lunch. The atmosphere, the smiling faces, the laughter and the sense of mutual appreciation between staff, parents and ex-students was a great advert for the values of our school.”
“It was wonderful to see so many young people come up to proudly receive their certificates and awards,” explained Head Teacher, Mrs Fiona Minshall. “The event recognises the outstanding achievement and effort of the students.We are very proud of them all and look forward to seeing them build on their success in the future.”
--- ENDS ---
Notes for Editors
- Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country.
- On 1st April, 2013 Saint Paul’s Catholic High School joined with St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School and St John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School to form the Wythenshawe Catholic Academy Trust (MAT – Multi Trust Academy). St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School later joined the Trust.
- Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
- The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
- Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources.
- The aims of the school are to:
- Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
- Provide teaching of the highest calibre
- Promote excellence in all areas
- Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
- Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More information about Saint Paul’s Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or contact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 499 0000.
Saint Paul’s Pupils are Starry Eyed!
An incredible journey through time and space was taken by pupils from Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe when they watched a spectacular planetarium show at Trinity Church of England High School in Manchester.
The event, funded by The Ogden Trust which promotes the studying of Physics, introduced the wonders of the universe to the Year 8 pupils with an amazing and engaging display of the Solar System and the Universe. They were presented with a guide to the movement of the planets, the phases of the Moon and even the mythology of some famous constellations.
Pupils were encouraged to investigate the wonders of the Universe including how the Earth formed and developed. They explored our place in the Universe and “visited” the inner and outer planets of the solar system. They also took a journey into the night sky and its wonders as seen from Earth.
Mr Stephen McMahon, Head of Science at Saint Paul’s, said: “The pupils saw a very exciting presentation on The Solar System, stars in the night sky and the origin of the Universe and were able to immerse themselves in the wonders of space at this unique event. The pupils listened and watched intently as the presenters brought science to life for them. They were able to examine motions of the Sun and stars across the sky and their sense of awe at the beauty and mysteries of the Universe was palpable.”
Mr McMahon added: “The pupils gave excellent answers to the questions that were posed by the presenter and asked many thought provoking questions about the wonders of space.”
“The trip to the planetarium provided a unique opportunity for pupils to engage with the wonders of the universe and explore and experience the amazing night sky,” commented Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “Astronomy is part of the National Curriculum and this visit provided a very valuable experience for our pupils and enhances the learning curriculum. Such visits are greatly appreciated by both the staff and the pupils.”
--- ENDS ---
Notes for Editors
- Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country.
- On 1st April, 2013 Saint Paul’s Catholic High School joined with St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School and St John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School to form the Wythenshawe Catholic Academy Trust (MAT – Multi Trust Academy). St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School later joined the Trust.
- Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
- The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
- Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources.
- The aims of the school are to:
- Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
- Provide teaching of the highest calibre
- Promote excellence in all areas
- Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
- Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More information about Saint Paul’s Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or contact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 499 0000.
Wolrd-renowned opera singer to sing with acclaimed school choir in Te Deum
At 7.30pm on Wednesday 29 April, the Schola Cantorum of the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School will be singing alongside one of the leading singers of our day, counter tenor Iestyn Davies, and the exciting period instrument ensemble Spiritato! in Te Deum at St John's, Smith Square.
This will not be the first time that Cardinal Vaughan has performed at St John's, Smith Square. The School has a long tradition of singing and the School's choirs regularly appear at London's major churches and concert halls. A masterpiece of English Baroque architecture, St John's will be the perfect venue for the concert's spectacular programme of seventeenth and eighteenth century English and French Baroque Music.
Concert conductor and Director of Music at Cardinal Vaughan, Scott Price, said:
We are very excited about the prospect of working with Iestyn Davies, one of the most in demand singers in the world and also of giving our first concert with early music group Spiritato! It promises to be a wonderful evening.
Ticket prices range from £10 to £20 (with a 10% discount available for concessions). They are available to buy from St John's, Smith Square on 0207 222 1601 or online at www.sjss.org.uk.
ENDS
Press contact:
Hannah Staff (Communications & PR Officer)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
020 7603 8478
Get Caught Reading at Saint Paul’s
Staff and pupils at Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe have taken part in a “Catch Me Reading” programme which is designed to promote a reading culture and really get students engaged in any form of reading.
Initiatives, to encourage and develop the pupils’ enjoyment of reading, so far range from:
- Staff visiting form rooms to catch students reading and then awarding small prizes
- A Catch Me Reading campaign for students to upload photos
- Raising the awareness of reading areas around school for students to just relax and read
- Part of the chapel has been refurbished into a reading hub
- Reading clubs for all ages have been launched
- An Accelerated Reading programme has been promoted to improve student reading ages
Andrea Williams who is leading the campaign at Saint Paul’s explained: “Obviously, we would love that students read books, but we just want them reading so we are raising awareness of reading, be it Manga comics, magazines, online article etc. We know it will take time to encourage non-readers and weaker readers but the more we push, hopefully, the more enthused students will be. At the moment it is still in its infancy but we are hoping that, in time, students will become more receptive and automatically bring books into school.”
Ms Williams added: “The hope when everything is up and running is that carrying a book and reading becomes a second nature to our students.”
“At Saint Paul’s, we encourage all of our students to read, not just in lessons but also for pleasure,” commented Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “We have put together a number of initiatives to help our students not only understand the importance of reading but to also help them gain an interest and passion for reading. We are working with parents to encourage reading at home we are positive we will have many happy, keen readers.”
--- ENDS ---
Notes for Editors
- Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country.
- On 1st April, 2013 Saint Paul’s Catholic High School joined with St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School and St John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School to form the Wythenshawe Catholic Academy Trust (MAT – Multi Trust Academy). St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School later joined the Trust.
- Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
- The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
- Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources.
- The aims of the school are to:
- Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
- Provide teaching of the highest calibre
- Promote excellence in all areas
- Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
- Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More information about Saint Paul’s Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or contact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 499 0000.
Disqualification - England
Following Statutory Guidance Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006, the CES has provided the following 2 documents for use by Catholic Schools and Academies in England:
- The CES Disqualification Guidance for Schools and Academies sets out the obligations of Schools and Academies surrounding Disqualification and recommends that an undertaking is obtained from all staff in the form set out in the Disqualification Policy.
- The Disqualification Policy for Staff sets out an explanation of what staff members should know about Disqualification and what they are obligated to do.
CES Response to Westminster Faith Debates report A New Settlement: Religion and Belief in Schools
Press Statement - 15 June 2015
"The Catholic Education Service welcomes the Westminster Faith Debates report A New Settlement: Religion and Belief in Schools as an important contribution to the debate on the place of religion in schools. The report acknowledges the important role which Church schools play in the public sector and supports Catholic parents' right to send their children to Catholic schools.
"We welcome the report's support for the admission and employment criteria in Catholic schools. Catholic schools serve first and foremost the Catholic community, reflecting the vast contribution that the community makes in terms of their provision and ownership of the land and school buildings, financial contributions and support given by parents and governors.
"The purpose of Religious Education (RE) in Catholic schools differs from that of community schools. RE is at the core of a Catholic school and must make up 10% of curriculum time. Catholic RE equips students with the skills to discern and deepen their faith and teach them about the faiths of other religious communities in order to respect and understand them. Regular Diocesan inspections of this curriculum holds Catholic schools publicly accountable.
"Given the distinctive nature of RE in Catholic schools, any national RE curriculum would not fulfil the purposes of RE in both Catholic and community schools. Catholic schools will continue to follow the RE curriculum as set out by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales."
Ends
Visit from Mike Kane MP
Following an invitation from the School Parliament, local MP Mike Kane visited Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe where he spoke to a group of Year 9 and Year 10 pupils about his role as an MP.
After talking about his experiences, Mike then opened the floor to questions from the students. As expected from Saint Paul’s, the questions dispelled any lingering myths about political apathy amongst the young. Topics covered a wide range of current affairs with the pupils showing that they have a very lively interest in politics and what is happening in the world.
Ms Una McCaughey from Saint Paul’s said: “The question and answer session was fantastic, it was a heated debate and an amazing experience. Mike Kane said he'd happily take some of our pupils to be part of his future campaigns!”
“The pupils asked some very thought provoking and apt questions; they engaged really well and I was proud of them,” commented Mrs Fiona Minshall, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “They had obviously given some thought to their questions and I think it’s excellent that they are interested in, and have a passion for, politics and current affairs.”
--- ENDS ---
Notes for Editors
- Saint Paul’s received congratulations from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools when they were recognised as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country.
- On 1st April, 2013 Saint Paul’s Catholic High School joined with St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School and St John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School to form the Wythenshawe Catholic Academy Trust (MAT – Multi Trust Academy). St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School later joined the Trust.
- Saint Paul’s was the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
- The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year.
- Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources.
- The aims of the school are to:
- Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
- Provide teaching of the highest calibre
- Promote excellence in all areas
- Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
- Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More information about Saint Paul’s Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or contact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 499 0000.
Our Lady of Pity Roman Catholic Primary School wins UK Mathematics Challenge.
On 22 June 2015, four children from Our Lady of Pity Primary School in years 5 and 6 won the UK Mathematics Challenge at Birkenhead School against other local Wirral Primary schools.
The UKMT Team Challenges promote mathematical dexterity, teamwork and communication skills. They also give pupils the opportunity to compete against pupils from other schools in their region. Activities included a group round, cross-number and a mathematical relay.
Singapore mathematicss techniques are currently being implemented at Our Lady of Pity and the children had great fun using Singaporean methods to answer the questions.
Katie Hogan, a trainee teacher who led the children from Our Lady of Pity said, 'this was a fantastic opportunity for the children to demonstrate their mathematics skills in a competitive environment. All of the children thoroughly enjoyed the day and we would like to thank Birkenhead School for organising the event.'
Notes to editors:
• For more information and pictures after the event, please contact Katie Hogan at Our Lady of Pity School. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CES responds to Government’s free school announcement
CES responds to Government’s free school announcement
The Catholic Education Service (CES), is disappointed that it’s prohibited from the Government’s push for free schools due to an arbitrary cap on admissions.
The largest provider of secondary education in England and Wales, the Catholic Church, is unable to open new free schools despite significant demand from many thousands of parents.
Whilst the CES welcomes the provision of 9,000 more school places, announced today by the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Education, it is concerned why an education provider such as the Catholic Church, with a strong track record of providing high quality schooling, is being stopped from participating in this flagship Government policy.
The cap prohibits any potential Catholic free school from accepting more than half their pupils on religious grounds.
Paul Barber, Director of the CES, said: “Catholic schools are some of the best performing educational institutions in the country and there is a significant demand from parents.
“We are not opposed at all to the principle of free schools, however today’s announcement will be disappointing news to the thousands of parents who are unable to get their child a place at a Catholic school.
“If it is a question of diversity and promoting community cohesion, it would be worth the Government remembering that 36% of pupils at Catholic schools come from ethnic minority backgrounds, six per cent higher than the national average.
“We share the Government’s desire to provide hundreds of thousands of quality school places and its plan to give parents more choice in education.
“Providing high quality schooling is something the Catholic Church already does and the CES would ask the Government to remove the barriers which hinder us continuing to do this.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Catholic Education Service is an agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
Key statistics:
83% of Catholic schools have been rated good or outstanding by Ofsted
At GCSE Catholic schools outperform the national average by eight percentage points
At age 11, Catholic schools outperform the national average English and Maths scores by five percentage points
CES Responds to BHA Report on Admissions
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service commented: “School admissions are extremely complex and are accompanied by hundreds of pages of legal framework, so the most likely causes of breaches in the code are unintended admin errors.
“The BHA ‘research’ only takes into account a small cross-section of schools and fails to represent the national picture outlined by the Office of School Adjudicator in its most recent report.
“We expect all Catholic schools to comply with the code and local dioceses provide support for schools to do so. It is because of our admissions system that Catholic schools are the most ethnically diverse in England and contain higher than the national average of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
ENDS
Education Select Committee Chair confirms support for Catholic Schools
The chair of the Education Select Committee, Neil Carmichael MP, has reiterated his support for Church schools.
Mr Carmichael confirmed his support for faith-based education at a fringe event organised by the Catholic Education Service (CES) in conjunction with the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) at this year’s Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.
The panel also included IEA director, Professor Philip Booth, Schools Week editor Laura McInerney, Daily Telegraph journalist Dr Tim Stanley and CES director Paul Barber.
The panel was unanimous in its support for the continued state funding of Church schools, with many citing the fact that Catholic schools are the most ethnically diverse in England and take higher than the national average of children from the poorest backgrounds.
During the discussion around the subject ‘should the state fund faith schools?’ Mr Carmichael commented on the important role Church schools play in providing parental choice in education.
He said: “Church schools play a big and important role in our wide range of schools.”
Mr Carmichael went on to stress the importance of strong leadership and governance in these schools, especially at the hands of parent and foundation governors.
He added: “It is necessary for Catholics, as well as members of other religions, to understand what they need to cultivate in schools is a culture of strong leadership and governance, and Ofsted has every right to inspect schools on this.”
CES Director, Paul Barber commented: “Our event at this year’s Conservative Party Conference was a great chance for us to promote the fantastic work Catholic schools do and I warmly welcome Mr Carmichael’s comments.
“The panel discussion was really interesting and I’d like to thank all our key speakers for their robust defence of Church schools. I would also like to thank the IEA for co-hosting this event with us.”
ENDS
More than 400 Catholic schools now academies
There are now more than 400 Catholic academies up and running in England according to the latest figures released by the Catholic Education Service.
This equates to 37% of Catholic secondary schools and almost a fifth, 18%, of all Catholic schools in England now achieving academy status.
Of the 404 Catholic academies in England, 280 are primary, 124 are secondary. Catholic schools currently account for 10% of the total number of state maintained schools in the country.
The Catholic Church has managed schools in England for more than a century and has been at the forefront of education innovation, pioneering many of the academy models in use today.
The Diocese of Nottingham has been one of the most enthusiastic supporters of academies with more than 60% of its schools now converted.
Nottingham Diocesan Director of Education, Peter Giorgio commented: “Academies provide schools with the autonomy to cater for the educational needs of their pupils.
“What’s more academy status gives Catholic schools greater freedom to develop their commitment to the formation of the whole child.”
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service commented: “We are really pleased with the great work Catholic academies are doing up and down the country.
“Academy status can prove really effective for schools allowing them to adapt elements such as the curriculum and the school day to secure the best education for each and every child.
“However, no two schools are the same so the decision to convert into an academy must be made by the local diocese, in collaboration with parents and the wider community.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The Catholic Church is the largest provider of secondary and second largest provider of primary education in England.
There are currently 2156 Catholic Schools in England educating upwards of 813,000 pupils.
The Catholic Church reiterates support for the Living Wage in schools
The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has reiterated his support for the Living Wage.
A growing number of Catholic schools already pay the living wage to thousands of teaching assistants, catering and school support staff. The move comes following a joint campaign with UNISON – the public sector union representing low-paid staff in schools.
At a local level many Catholic parishes, schools and charities were involved in the original design and development of the London Living Wage through the community organising group London Citizens.
For Cardinal Nichols and the Bishops of England and Wales, the payment of the Living Wage recognises that fair wages are essential to the common good of our society.
He said: “For more than 100 years the Catholic Church has championed the cause of a just wage so that employees can meet the needs of their families.
“It’s encouraging to see that this has now become a national movement with real momentum behind it. In accordance with Catholic Social Teaching, and as part of its mission to support the poor and vulnerable, the Bishops fully endorse the principle of the Living Wage. As a Church we have given a commitment to work towards implementing the Living Wage for all who work with us. This week I reiterate that commitment.
“A just wage is the basis for creating a fair economic system. We now look to the wider business community, public sector and the Government to play their part in securing a just wage for the lowest paid in our society.”
UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis said: “This is a huge development for the thousands of school staff who have been struggling to make ends meet and a major step towards achieving fair pay in the country.
“The Catholic Church, alongside UNISON and community groups, is the force behind this movement. The bishops are showing real leadership by encouraging businesses and other organisations to follow suit.”
Linda Amos, Business Manager at St Ursula’s Convent School, Greenwich, commented on why they pay the Living Wage.
She said: “Paying the Living Wage shows that we value our staff, and that includes everyone, from the teachers to the support staff to the cleaners.
“The Living Wage has also given job security to many of our support staff, some of whom had to work two jobs prior to being employed by us.
“Paying the Living Wage means we keep people and our staff turn-over is low. Not only is this good for school moral, but also it teaches our young people how ethical employers should behave.
“Also because we have invested in our staff, they have in turn invested in our school with support staff participating in extra-curricular events such as sports day.”
ENDS
Setting the record straight on the new RE GCSE in Catholic Schools
CES Director Paul Barber sets the record straight about the recent news on the new RE GCSE
There have been many headlines this week about the teaching of RE in Catholic schools. Many of them have distorted the reality of both the new RE GCSE and what actually goes on in Catholic schools.
Let’s be clear, Catholic schools are not ‘banning’ the teaching of Islam nor are we ‘shunning’ them from our GCSE syllabus. Pupils in Catholic schools will continue learn about Islam and the world’s other main religions and belief systems.
Just because pupils will not be examined on faiths other than Christianity and Judaism, it doesn’t mean to say that the other world religions will not be taught.
The Catholic Bishop’s Conference Religious Education Curriculum Directory, the authoritative document which outlines the teaching of RE in Catholic schools, is clear, a broad understanding of the world’s major religions is crucial to a child’s understanding of their own faith.
In compliance with the local Bishop’s wishes, the vast majority of Catholic schools are currently teaching 100% Catholic Christianity for GCSE RE.
The Bishops have long recognised the need for greater academic rigor in the RE GCSE curriculum which is why they are welcoming the new GCSE and the opportunity to study a second religion. Thus, Judaism was chosen for two primary reasons.
Firstly, we are taking this opportunity to advance the cause of Christian/Jewish relationships, a historic step in building bridges with a community Pope John Paul II referred to as ‘our elder brothers in faith’.
Many of our critics this week have claimed the Bishops’ decision as going directly against Pope Francis’ call for greater tolerance between the faiths. The irony is, by embracing a second religion at GCSE the Bishops are doing precisely what the Pope is calling for.
In fact, we are working with leading figures in the Jewish community to help train our teachers so they can teach Judaism with the same level of expertise that they teach Catholic Christianity. This is an essential part of delivering outstanding RE.
This is exactly the kind of co-operation and mutual understanding that Pope Francis is talking about. Similarly, many Catholic schools have good working relationships with Mosques and Imams who assist in the teaching of Islam at primary and secondary level.
Secondly, we are fully supportive of the new more academically rigorous nature of the RE GCSE, and by teaching Judaism as the second religion, pupils will be able to get a more thorough understanding of Christianity.
Much of the negativity fired at us this week has been down to a misunderstanding about the role of RE in Catholic schools. For us, religious education is at the heart of everything we do. It encompasses at least ten per cent of the schools’ timetables and goes far beyond the ‘compare and contrast’ style of RE you find in other schools.
It is because of this commitment RE, and the importance we place on it, that we’re championing these reforms. To gain a thorough understanding of the more than 2000 years of Catholic theology and culture, the teaching of Judaism is essential. After all, Jesus himself was Jewish.
Changes to any curriculum, especially RE, can be controversial, however our RE advisors at both a national and diocesan level are providing support to assist teachers with this change.
Whilst it is true that some of our schools have a large proportion of pupils from other faiths (across England, 30% of our pupils are either not Catholic or non-religious) the primary role of a Catholic school is to provide a Catholic Christian education.
Catholic schools are the most ethnically diverse in the country and it is this inclusivity along with the Catholic ethos which makes then so successful in promoting community cohesion.
ENDS
List of statutory policies for schools and academies
Governing bodies and proprietors of academies are required to have in place various policies and other documents to satisfy their statutory duties and to assist them in fulfilling their statutory obligations.
The DfE has produced extremely helpful non-statutory advice for governing bodies and school leaders entitled "Statutory Policies for Schools", which covers the legal requirements for maintained schools, maintained special schools, academies, sixth-form colleges, FE colleges with 16 to 19 provision and non-maintained special schools (amongst others). The advice sets out the type of policies and documents required, which types of schools must have such policies, the review period, the level of authority required for sign-off of the policy and the legislation which stipulates the requirement for that policy. You can access the advice via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-policies-for-schools.
Catholic schools and academies are, additionally, required to use the CES model employment documents as mandated by the Bishops of England and Wales. This requirement is set out in the Bishops' Memorandum on Appointment of Teachers to Catholic Schools which can be accessed by clicking here. As a vital part of their role as governors of a Catholic school, governing bodies must ensure that the CES models are adapted, where appropriate, consulted upon and then adopted and communicated to staff and any other interested parties.
Newman University celebrates Ofsted report
Newman University’s Teacher Education programmes have received high recognition in all categories in its latest Ofsted report.
Ofsted inspectors have graded teaching at Newman’s School of Education “good”, reaffirming the University’s status as one of the UK’s leading institutions for excellence in teacher training.
Dean of Education, Professor Stephen Rayner, said: “We are delighted with the acknowledgement throughout the report of the inspiration and impact our work has on our trainee-teachers, newly-qualified teachers (NQTs) and the children and young people whom they teach.
“Newman trained teachers acquire a diverse range of skills and experience during their time with us, which helps prepare students to meet the demands of teaching in today’s challenging educational environment. It is evident from this extremely positive report that our students’ passion and desire to continually improve their teaching skills are in demand by employers who recognise the high calibre of our student-teachers.
“We would like to congratulate our Initial Teacher Education (ITE) team and to thank our partner schools for their support during the inspection process.”
Katie North, a Primary ITE student at Newman, commented about the standard of teaching from a first-hand perspective: “Staff at Newman truly do take the time to get to know you on an individual basis. This has had a positive impact on my confidence levels, and hence improved my personal quality of teaching in the classroom.”
The School of Education at Newman University has trained teachers for over forty years and has an established reputation in teacher training, excellent education research, and teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
The report highlighted several key areas of strength relating to the primary and secondary programme inspection including:
- High-calibre trainees and NQTs who demonstrate exceptional professional attitudes. They share a passion for teaching and a desire to continually improve their teaching skills. They are held in high regard by local head teachers.
- Exceedingly strong centre-based training, which blends theory and practice flawlessly, is complemented well by specialist and enhancement learning opportunities. This accounts for trainees' and NQTs' strong subject knowledge and their confidence and competence in teaching across the primary and early years curriculum.
- The partnership enjoys a good local reputation for nurturing well-prepared teachers who are an asset to schools. Head teachers are overwhelmingly positive about the calibre of NQTs, who consistently demonstrate exceptional professional attitudes, and share a willingness to seek advice and learn from others. Trainees emerge from the different training programmes as well-rounded, resilient and enthusiastic professionals who make a difference to the schools in which they work and the pupils they teach.
- A particular strength of the training programme is the enhancement and specialist weeks. These events ensure trainees become steeped in their specialist subject but also open their eyes to a broader range of teaching techniques. The opportunity to visit schools in Sweden to explore the impact of Forest Schools is just one example, among many, of the excellent learning opportunities available to trainees.
- The outcomes for trainees are good. Trainees' attainment is high, especially through the School Direct route, where around three quarters of trainees were judged outstanding at the end of their training in 2015.
- Careful vetting of the quality of the placement allows trainees to gain experience in schools in more challenging circumstances.
ENDS
Notes to editor:
Newman University is a Catholic higher education institution based in Bartley Green, Birmingham and historically enjoys one of the highest graduate employment rates of any higher education institution in the country.
Founded in 1968, Newman was awarded University College status in 2007, receiving full university status in February 2013. With a strong reputation for teacher training, it also offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and foundation degree courses covering a range of subjects, primarily in the fields of humanities and social sciences.
It was recognised in the Top 10 UK universities for quality of teaching in the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2013 and is one of a select group of 15 higher education institutions to gain three ‘high’ ratings in the Which? University Guide.
Newman also enjoys a burgeoning reputation for research, with some outputs being recognised as ‘internationally excellent’ in the latest Research Assessment Exercise (REF2014).
Newman is named after Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801 – 1890), one of the intellectual greats of the nineteenth century. While proud of its Catholic heritage, the college welcomes staff and students of all religions and backgrounds.
The new College of Teaching is expected to herald big changes for the teaching profession. One of its trustees, Paul Barber, explains why it is important for Catholic schools
In education, we are used to new initiatives. But occasionally, something comes along which has the potential to have a huge impact, long into the future. The launch of the College of Teaching presents us with one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments.
The college is the new independent chartered professional body for the teachers. Surgeons and solicitors, engineers and accountants, physicians and architects: all have had chartered bodies at the heart of their profession for a long time. Recently, many other chartered professional bodies have been founded: for plumbers and ecologists, secretaries and payroll professionals.
For a variety of complex reasons, the teaching profession alone has lacked a strong, independent professional body, led by teachers, responsible for promoting high standards and supporting professional development. With the launch of the College of Teaching, that is about to change.
In the past few years, a consensus has emerged that such a college is necessary and its time has come. A remarkable alliance, or coalition, has formed in the education world, including subject associations and national educational charities, teaching unions and learned societies in associated disciplines. The idea emerged spontaneously in 2012 at a residential conference run by the Prince’s Teaching Institute. The PTI established a commission, including a cross section of teacher. Following an overwhelmingly supportive consultation with 1200 responses, it published a blueprint for a College of Teaching. This led to the formation of the Claim your College Coalition, which published a start-up proposal at the beginning of 2015 and established a process to recruit an independent, teacher-led board of trustees.
What is the College of Teaching? It is easier to answer this question by way of what the college is not. It is not a regulatory body, and will not have a disciplinary role. That was the role played by the widely disliked General Teaching Council (GTC), which was imposed as on the profession without its consent and abolished in 2012. An example of this distinction in another profession would be between the Royal Medical Colleges (the professional bodies), and the General Medical Council (the statutory regulator).
What’s more, it will not be compulsory. Teachers had to pay to register with the GTC and were obliged to join. There will be a subscription payable to join the College of Teaching, but teachers can decide whether to do so. The college is not a commercial or political organisation. It is an educational charity, so any surpluses will be reinvested towards teachers’ continued professional development, and all activities will be for the good of education. Furthermore, it will be independent: in particular independent of government, driven only by sound educational research in the hands of the teaching profession.
The establishment of the college will ensure the profession has the status, aspiration and routes to promotion recognised by chartered bodies in other professions. Teachers will work in their early years towards a higher professional standard (‘chartered’ or ‘fellow’ status). This will demand rigorous, ongoing professional development and create expectations on employers and new entrants, which will match those in other professions. It will create a platform and structure for career‑long, continuous professional growth of each teacher. The development of the college has been carefully designed to benefit the profession as a whole.
As part of its contribution to the common good, the Church has been at the forefront of every major development in this country’s education system. The Churches created the first infrastructure for educating the vast majority of the poor in the early nineteenth century. We founded the first teacher training colleges, such as St Mary’s College (now St Mary’s University) in 1850 and Notre Dame College (now part of Liverpool Hope University) in 1856. We pioneered the formation and education of teachers, recognising how central this was to improving outcomes for pupils.
The Church, its schools and universities have remained at the cutting edge of the education system, marked by innovation and high standards, not just for the benefit of the Catholic community, but for society at large. That is why the Catholic Education Service was an early supporter of plans for a College of Teaching, and why Catholic teachers, schools and colleges should support its launch and ensure its success for the benefit of the whole education system.
The College of Teaching is now calling on teachers, schools and colleges from all phases and stages to put take part online in The Big Staff Meeting before the end of this term. The Big Staff Meeting introduces the college’s place in the professional landscape of teaching in the UK.
The college needs to be shaped by teachers, and we want every teacher to be well informed on the developing plans and to share views on who should be part of it and what it should offer. All this will be vital part of shaping what the college looks like. By taking part in this national consultation, teachers can contribute their opinion on the scope and benefits of membership that will shape the future direction of the college.
This is an enormous opportunity for the teaching profession to come together to set its own standards. All teachers are urged to share their views by the end of February via an online survey (www.research.net/r/N3L3KMC), talk about it with their colleagues, and get involved.
Governance Statements
Below you will find model Governance Statements and information on the distinct requirements for schools and academies in relation to these documents. You are advised to consult your diocese before you adopt the CES Model Governance Statement(s) to ensure compliance with particular diocesan policy.
Schools
In January 2014 the Department for Education published Departmental Advice in relation to School Governance. The Departmental advice included a number of additional recommendations which were not referenced in the 2013 Regulations, including a recommendation that Governing Bodies publish an annual Governance Statement:
It is also good practice for the board to publish an annual governance statement (as academy trusts are required to do through the Accounts Direction) to explain how it has fulfilled its responsibilities – particularly in relation to its core functions, including:
- The governance arrangements that are in place, including the remit of any committees
- The attendance record of individual governors at board and committee meetings
- An assessment of the effectiveness and impact of the board and any committees with details of any particular challenges that have arisen.
Whilst accepting that the publication of a Governance Statement is not mandatory, it is good practice and an effective way for Governors to demonstrate their accountability to parents and the wider school community, at least annually.
The Catholic Education Service recommends that Governing Bodies publish a Governance Statement at least once per academic year. To this end, we have produced a model Governance Statement for Governing Bodies of Catholic schools which can be accessed below.
Academies
Academy trusts are required to provide assurance that they are appropriately managed, are controlling the resources for which they are responsible and are required to complete a Governance Statement as part of their Annual Report. The Governance Statement should include information on the governance framework of the academy trust and confirm that the trustees have carried out their responsibility for ensuring that effective management systems have been put in place.
Whilst there is a model Governance Statement for academies set out in the Academies Accounts Direction, the Catholic Education Service recommends that academy trusts use the model Governance Statement for Boards of Directors of Catholic Academies that the CES has produced. Our model reflects the fact that the functions of the corporate board in a Catholic academy trust must be carried out in such a way as to comply with the overarching function of the board to ensure that the academy is, at all times, conducted in accordance with its Catholic character. The CES model can be accessed below.
Proud Leeds pupils demonstrate their sporting skills to the Chancellor
Press Release 17 March 2016
This morning pupils at St Benedict's Catholic School, Garforth, Leeds had the opportunity to show the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne their sporting skills.
The Chancellor visited the school following his announcement in yesterday's budget to double the amount of funding dedicated to sport in every primary school. He watched demonstrations of netball and gymnastics by the children. He was able to chat with the Pupil Sports Council over a healthy breakfast.
Mr Kieron Flood, Headteacher of St Benedict's Catholic School said "Sport is an important part of the curriculum here at St Benedict's. We believe that promoting a healthy lifestyle through active participation in sport and PE will ensure that children will develop a life-long love of sport through their physical literacy. Our pupils look forward to joining in the wide variety of activities and are extremely proud of their own achievements and the achievements of other children in their school".
"We were pleased to welcome the Chancellor to St Benedict's as it provided the pupils with an opportunity to demonstrate their sporting skills and tell him personally about their success in a range of sporting competitions".
The academy encourages all pupils to have a healthy body and healthy mind so keeping fit through a wide variety of activities is important to the whole academy community including staff. The school is involved not only in the usual team sports, the highly competitive 'Skipping Festival' held between the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Leeds is a particular favourite of the children.
The academy uses the current sports premium funding to ensure that every child has the opportunity to join in sporting activities with a series of professional partners including Liz Jarosz, a PE teacher from St Wilfrid's Catholic High School and Sixth Form College, Featherstone, another academy in the trust.
The academy has achieved the Gold Activemark and is particularly proud of former pupils who have been selected to play for England All Age Wheelchair Rugby team and a visually impaired pupil who skateboards in national competitions – real success stories for those talented children.
Notes to Editors:
1) St Benedict's Catholic Primary School is a popular, oversubscribed Catholic academy in Garforth, a town on the outskirts of East Leeds in Leeds Local Authority.
2) The academy was a founding member of the Bishop Konstant Catholic Academy Trust that comprises 2 high schools and 10 primary schools. It was established in November 2012. http://www.bkcat.co.uk/
3) The Headteacher of St Benedict's is Kieron Flood who is a Local Leader of Education and has successfully supported a school in the trust that was a sponsored conversion to academy.
4) The funding enables the academy to provide continuous professional development for staff to improve the teaching of P.E. in school and in turn enhance the experience and learning opportunities for all pupils. Sports specialist teachers and coaches are working alongside class teachers in lessons and providing provision of sports for after school clubs. In this way, children are gaining new skills and experiences and teachers are learning new techniques and knowledge to aid their professional development in teaching sport and PE. This develops an understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle through active participation in Sport and PE. Children will develop a life-long love of sport through their physical literacy.
5) The school is one of 94 schools in the Diocese of Leeds, The Bishop of Leeds is The Right Reverend Bishop Marcus Stock
6) If any further information is required please contact the headteacher on 0113 2869819 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Collective worship
All schools are required to offer a Christian act of collective worship every day. Parents can choose to withdraw their children up to 16, and if you’re older you can choose to withdraw yourself. The DfE guidance can be found here.
Why is collective worship important in Catholic schools?
In schools with a designated religious character, like Catholic schools, collective worship is far more than a statutory requirement. It is crucial to the spiritual life of the school and to pupils’ moral and spiritual development. Collective worship is an important part of a Catholic school’s distinctive ethos.
Taking part in daily collective worship helps build community cohesion by creating a consistent structure around the core values and symbols of Christianity. In Catholic schools, pupil participation and engagement in worship are important criteria in the diocesan inspection of Catholic education, not least during the daily act of collective worship. From Reception to Year 13, pupils are invited to play an active part in collective worship.
Throughout the year, Catholic school communities come together to celebrate important events in the Church’s calendar, such as Lent and Advent, as well as the start and end of the academic year. Through regular prayer and worship, including Mass, the rhythm of the Church’s year becomes a normal part of school life and each pupil’s life.
These activities are integral to the Catholic identity and life of the school; they would take place in all Catholic schools, whether or not schools were required by statute to provide collective worship.
Why is collective worship important in all schools?
Britain is a multicultural and multi-faith society. In this context, collective worship remains an essential part of the life of every school, for community schools and academies just as much as in denominational faith schools. Many schools continue to hold acts of collective worship because of the value to the school community and to children’s broader educational development.
Collective worship offers all schools the chance to explore and understand the values at the heart of their ethos. From forgiveness and humility, to gratitude and justice, collective worship gives pupils a space and time to reflect.
If it is a part of a school’s routine, collective worship provides a shared language of values to build a close-knit cohesive community. Whether in times of crisis or celebration, the time set aside in the school day for reflection provides everyone with the opportunity to gather and support one another as a community.
CES Welcomes New Director of Scottish Catholic Education Service
The Catholic Education Service for England and Wales (CES) has congratulated Barbara Coupar on her appointment as the new Director of the Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES).
Barbara, who is a member of the SCES executive board, will succeed outgoing SCES Director Michael McGrath, who has been Director since 2003.
The CES would like to pay tribute to the fantastic work Michael has done leading the SCES since its creation and wishes Barbara all the best in her new role.
Annual Self Evaluation Form of the Governing Body
Governing bodies should conduct an annual self-evaluation to identify for themselves their existing strengths and areas for further development. To enable governing bodies to comply with these requirements they must engage with their Trustees and Diocese, on a regular and ongoing basis.
The CES recommends that governing bodies use the model Self Evaluation Form that has been published which is available below.
The model Self Evaluation Form evaluates the following three core strategic functions of the governing body: The model Evaluation Form reflects that and can be adapted to suit localised needs as required.
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
- Holding the headteacher or principal or chief executive (as appropriate) to account for the educational performance of the school or academy and its pupils, and for the internal organisation, management and control of the school or academy, including performance management of staff.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school or academy and making sure its money is well spent.
Canon law also requires that Catholic schools are ‘at least as academically distinguished as that in the other schools of the area’ (806§2) and the Governing Body should be mindful of this requirement in all that they do.
Governing Bodies are advised to consult their diocese before the model Self Evaluation Form is adopted and completed to ensure compliance with particular diocesan policy.
Checklist for External Speakers to Schools
The checklist for speakers should be completed by the appropriate officer in your school prior to making contact with external speakers (and any organisation they represent). This is to ensure that the Catholic character of your school is preserved and developed in the external speaker's communications with pupils and parents and carers.
Sickness absence policy and procedure
Foundation Governor Recruitment
Below are the Foundation Governor recruitment resources. Click on the image to download it.
Foundation Governor Booklet |
Bookmark |
|
 |
 |
|
Postcard Design 1 |
Postcard Design 2 |
Postcard Design 3 |
 |
 |
 |
CES User Guide On Model Employment Documentation (For Staff In Catholic Schools And Academies)
This User Guide brings together all the CES employment documentation. It explains the requirement for all the CES employment documentation that schools can use during application, recruitment and appointment and then throughout the life of the employment relationship. There is also a compilation of answers to frequently asked questions during the different stages of employment.
A complete list of all CES employment documentation can be found in Appendix I.
A complete list of frequently asked questions can be found in Appendix II.
Missio school resources
As the Pope’s official children's charity for overseas mission. Mission together supports the physical, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing of children around the world. Through prayer, learning, and fund-raising, Mission Together encourages children worldwide to understand the true meaning of mission and so become missionaries themselves by delivering God’s love to everyone.
Mission Together provides free school resources throughout the year, including assemblies, liturgies, and activities to help children journey through the liturgical calendar. These are available via our website. Mission Together materials complement all Catholic RE programmes, uphold Catholic teaching, and are mindful of requirements within the Common Inspection Framework.
Catholic Church welcomes Prime Minister’s removal of the cap on faith admissions
Press Statement – 9th September 2016
Catholic Church welcomes Prime Minister’s removal of the cap on faith admissions
We warmly welcome the Government’s proposal to remove the cap on faith-based admissions for free schools and new academies. This will enable new Catholic schools to meet the current parental demand for thousands of new Catholic school places across the country.
Currently, the arbitrary cap on faith-based admissions prevents the Church from meeting the demand from Catholic parents for Catholic places and could cause schools to turn Catholic families away on the grounds that they are Catholics. To do so contravenes not only Canon Law but also common sense.
As the largest provider of secondary schools and the second largest provider of primary schools in England, we support the Government’s aim to increase parental choice through a diverse education system. Catholic schools and academies make up 10% of state based education and have higher numbers of pupils from ethnic minorities and deprived areas and a track record of integrating these groups into mainstream society.
Catholic schools are inclusive, educating pupils from all faiths and none. One third of our pupils are from non-Catholic families. Our schools are particularly popular with parents from the Muslim community, other Christian communities and with high proportions of those who have no faith.
We have a long history of providing outstanding education and look forward to working with the Government to deliver these new Catholic schools.
Notes to Editors
There are 2142 Catholic Schools in England.
There are over 450 Catholic academies.
Pupil Population
- 819,069 pupils are educated in Catholic schools.
- 37% of pupils in Catholic primary schools are from ethnic minority backgrounds (30% nationally).
- 33% of pupils in Catholic secondary schools are from ethnic minority backgrounds (26% nationally).
- 19% of pupils at Catholic primary schools live in the most deprived areas (14% nationally).
- 17% of pupils at Catholic secondary schools live in the most deprived areas (12% nationally).
Performance Data
- 83% of Catholic secondary schools have Ofsted grades of good or outstanding (74% nationally).
- At age 11, Catholic schools outperform the national average English and Math SATs scores by 6% points.
- At GCSE, Catholic schools outperform the national average by 5% points.
- In Catholic schools, 64% of pupils for whom English is an additional language achieve grades A*-C in both English and mathematics GCSEs (59% nationally).
- Catholic schools outperforms the national average by 4% points for disadvantaged pupils achieving the English Baccalaureate.
Admissions - Certificate of Catholic Practice
To get into a Catholic school you don’t necessarily have to be Catholic. As is the case with most schools, who gets in is highly dependent on how popular a school is with parents. Catholic schools will always prioritise Catholic pupils in their admissions, and if they have space for more, all are welcome to apply.
In 90% cases, Catholic schools can cater for the local Catholic demand. In these instances, parents only need to provide a Baptism certificate as proof of Catholicism. In the handful of cases where Catholic schools are oversubscribed with Catholics, Catholic practise is taken into account. Information on the Certificate of Catholic practice can be downloaded below.
Nine in ten London Catholic schools pay the London Living Wage
Nine in ten of the Capital’s Catholic schools pay the London Living Wage, according to the latest research.
The study, which polled the Capital’s 330 Catholic schools, found that 90% of respondents paid the London Living Wage.
The London Living Wage is different from the national minimum wage and has this week been updated to £9.75 per hour. It is calculated as the minimum amount of money a person can live off in Greater London.
It is considerably higher than the minimum wage (£6.70) and the Government’s national living wage (£7.20) due to the higher cost of living in London.
This announcement coincides with Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, reiterating the Catholic Church’s support of the Living Wage.
Cardinal Nichols said: “The Living Wage is the bedrock of a fair economy and a recognition of the worth of every individual. As such it is a fundamental part of Catholic Social Teaching.
“For more than a century, the Catholic Church has championed the causes of just wages and dignity at work, so workers can not only support their family, but also lead a fulfilling life both in and outside the workplace.
“The work done by the Living Wage foundation is important. In our society there are many who experience real financial difficulties yet work hard in their employment. They and their families will benefit from a true living wage and measures which bring them hope for their children.”
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service, which itself is a Living Wage employer, commented: “It is fantastic to see so many Catholic schools in London paying the London Living Wage to all their staff.
“Not only is it basis of a just economy, it is important for young people to see how institutions respect everyone who works for them, right from support staff all the way up to school leadership. This is an essential part of the formation of the whole child.”
Notes to Editors
Catholic schools represent 10% of all state-maintained schools in London.
In total 148 schools responded to the Catholic Education Service’s Living Wage survey.
Respondents came from all 33 London boroughs.
Greater London is covered by three Catholic dioceses, the Archdiocese of Westminster, the Archdiocese of Southwark and the Diocese of Brentwood.
ENDS
Loading...
Governance of a Catholic school
The CES has produced guidance which sets out the role and remit of the Diocesan Bishop and trustees, diocesan officers and governors in Catholic schools and academies. This guidance explains how Catholic education is organised and the safeguards and freedoms that are in place to protect, preserve and develop the Catholic character of our schools and academies.
Muslim pupils are the largest minority faith in Catholic schools
More than 26,000 Muslim pupils are now educated in Catholic schools across the country, according to the latest research.
The figures, which form part of the annual Catholic Schools’ Census, show that one in three pupils who attend the country’s Catholic schools are not of the Catholic faith.
For the first time, the Census has collected data on pupil religion other than Catholicism to get a better picture of the religious diversity in Catholic schools.
The data found that one of the biggest religious groupings was pupils with no religion. This group accounted for more than a fifth of the non-Catholic pupils.
The largest religious group were pupils from other Christian denominations. More than 148,000 of them are currently enrolled in Catholic schools and make up half of all non-Catholic pupils.
Once again, the figures from the Schools’ Census show that Catholic schools are the most ethnically diverse in the country with 21% more pupils coming from ethnic minority backgrounds than the national average.
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service, which compiled the Census, commented: “It is great to see Catholic schools acting as beacons of diversity and integration up and down the country.
“Often, parents of different faiths and none value the distinctive and unapologetically Catholic ethos of the Church’s schools.
“It is precisely because we are open about our faith that parents of other religions feel comfortable with the all-inclusive ethos of Catholic schools.”
Notes to editors
There are more than 2200 Catholic Schools in England and Wales.
The Catholic sector is the second largest provider of education and currently educates 852,321 pupils.
There are 287,934 non Catholic pupils in Catholic schools with the breakdown as follows (alphabetical order):
Buddhist – 1,175 (0.41%)
Hindu – 5,855 (2.03%)
Jewish – 276 (0.10%)
Muslim – 26,264 (9.12%)
No religion – 63,062 (21.90%)
Other Christian – 148,018 (51.41%)
Other religion – 15,195 (5.28%)
Religion refused 2,407 (0.84%)
Religion not known – 22,181 (7.70%)
Sikh – 3,501 (1.22%)
ENDS
Parents overwhelmingly favour acts of collective worship in Catholic schools
An overwhelming majority of parents support the continuation of collective acts of worship in the country’s Catholic schools, the latest research has found.
The data, revealed as part of the Catholic Schools Census, shows that 99.95% of non-Catholic parents support the provision of collective acts of worship in their child’s Catholic school.
Of the near 290,000 pupils in English and Welsh Catholic schools from other faiths or none, just 0.05% were withdrawn from collective acts of worship, such as prayers in assemblies, Nativity plays and Masses.
Over the last five years there has been an eight per cent increase in the number of pupils in Catholic schools in England and Wales with the current total sitting at 852,321. That is one in every ten pupils nationally.
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service commented: “Collective worship is one of the foundations upon which our schools are built.
“Although it is a statutory requirement for all schools, collective worship is an integral part of life in a Catholic school. It is crucial to the spiritual life of the school and to pupils’ moral and spiritual development.
“Throughout the year, Catholic school communities come together to celebrate important events in the Church’s calendar, as well as the start and end of the academic year. Through regular prayer and worship, including Mass, the rhythm of the Church’s year becomes a normal part of school life.
“Whilst it’s important that schools make it clear to parents that they’re able to withdraw their child from acts of collective worship, it is encouraging to see that the overwhelming majority of parents in Catholic schools don’t.
“Too often we are led to believe that there is no longer an appetite for collective acts of Christian worship in schools, but these figures vindicate the continued existence of these practices.”
Notes to Editors
There are more than 2200 Catholic Schools in England and Wales.
The Catholic sector is the second largest provider of education and currently educates 852,31 pupils.
ENDS
Catholic schools most disproportionally diverse in Country
More than one in five black children now attend a Catholic school. That’s according to the latest research which shows the Catholic Church to be the most ethnically diverse provider of education in the country.
With roughly 10% of schools, the Catholic Church is the second largest provider of education in the country. However, this tenth of provision now educates more than fifth of all black pupils in the country.
The figures, which are part of the annual Catholic Education Service’s Schools Census, also reveal the extent the Catholic Church is helping to integrate Eastern European migrants with British society, as almost one in five pupils from minority white backgrounds go to a Catholic school.
Across the board, Catholic schools educate 21% more pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds compared to other schools.
Statistics also show that ethnic minority pupils in Catholic secondary schools perform better at GCSE than the national average.
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service commented: “For another year running, Catholic schools are the most ethnically diverse in the country.
“What’s more, Catholic schools are not just more diverse but disproportionally more so. The fact that a tenth of all schools educates a fifth of certain ethnic minorities is an incredible achievement.
“With Catholicism being a largely immigrant faith in England, Catholic schools have a strong track record of taking in children from a wide range of ethnic minorities and producing well-educated, open minded, citizens.
“It is very easy for secularist campaigners to claim that religious ethos schools are divisive and segregate communities but the evidence for this simply doesn’t back this up.”
Notes to editors
There are more than 2200 Catholic Schools in England and Wales.
The Catholic sector is the second largest provider of education and currently educates 852,321 pupils.
There are a total of 307,663 ethnic minority pupils in Catholic schools (36.1% of pupils).
One in seven ethnic minority pupils in England and Wales attend a Catholic school
ENDS
A Catholic school’s Nativity doesn’t mean children of other faiths can’t participate
Like most primary schools this time each year, thoughts turn to the Nativity play and the various stresses surrounding it. These include organising dozens of sheep, shepherds and angels, getting all the lines learnt and of course, deciding who’s going to play Mary.
At Catholic schools, the Nativity play is understandably a really important part of their year, but with over 60% of the pupils at St Mary’s and St Peter’s Catholic Primary school in Bradford being Muslim, you might think including everyone in this festival is a challenge. For them however, the truth is it simply isn’t.
Last year the school had children from different faiths and nationalities take part in their Nativity and this Christmas it will be no different.
By including children and families of different faiths, the school believes that they are not imposing Catholicism on them, but are sharing the gift of faith. At St Mary’s and St Peter’s , non-Catholic children are never forced to make the sign of the cross and when they pray it is made clear that children can pray to their own God.
Julie Holland, Head teacher at St Peter and St Mary’s believes that clarity with parents is by far and away the most important element of getting parental buy-in to the school’s ethos. Before children even start she sits down with prospective parents and is crystal clear about how the Catholic faith is fundamental to everything that is done by the school.
Julie commented: “For the vast majority of non-Catholic parents, this is perfectly acceptable, moreover it is the emphasis that we put on faith which makes our school such an attractive option for their child. Many think that to create religious tolerance you must remove it completely from the public sphere, but if anything we show that by being open about your own faith, parents of different religious convictions feel that their faith is respected. You don’t create religious tolerance by saying faith is something that should be kept behind closed doors.”
Julie believes that for a lot of parents, the popularity of a Catholic education among non-Catholic parents goes down to key basic principles, including, respect and good behaviour, attitudes which she considers are promoted by all religions. The values and expectations we set continue when the children are at home.
But what is the impact on the children? Looking at the experience of St Mary’s and St Peter’s, it is extremely positive. From an early age children interact with others of different religions. What’s more the school has fostered an atmosphere where children feel comfortable talking about religion and discussing the big questions about God and human dignity with those of other beliefs.
Julie concluded: “This year proud Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh parents will watch their child celebrate the birth of Christ in our Nativity. For both parents and pupils alike, this religious diversity is normal, something which I am proud to say has been achieved through an unapologetically Catholic education.”
Diocese of Leeds' Director of Education awarded OBE
Angela Cox, Director of Education for the Diocese of Leeds is to be recognised in the 2017 New Year’s Honours List for Services to Education, becoming an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Angela has been Director of Education for the Diocese for the past six years, overseeing the provision of Catholic education across eight local authority areas in the Diocese’s 93 schools. Having lived in the region since attending Leeds University, Angela previously worked on the education team at Leeds City Council, and is a parishioner at the church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in St John Mary Vianney Parish in North Leeds.
Angela, who will receive her OBE at a special ceremony to take place in the next few months, said: “It is a privilege to have this role in Catholic education. It is the nature of the awards that they are given to an individual but this is recognition of the team of colleagues in the Diocese and in our schools and colleges who do so much to benefit Catholic education and the children in their care.”
The Rt Rev Marcus Stock is Bishop of Leeds and is himself an educationalist. Upon learning of the honour for his Director of Education, the Bishop said:
‘Angela Cox has given outstanding service to the Diocese and continues to provide excellent advice on all matters relating to our Catholic schools. She has also been very supportive of the work of the Catholic Education Service nationally for England and Wales. I am very pleased that the contribution Angela has made to education, both regionally and nationally, has been recognised in the honour awarded by Her Majesty the Queen.’
The OBE is awarded to people who fulfil a major local role and whose work has brought them national recognition in their chosen area.
ENDS
Missio visit to St John’s Catholic Academy, Bishop Auckland and St Anthony’s
To mark the centenary of the birth of Blessed Oscar Romero, schools in the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle are this year focusing attention on the life and martyrdom of the Salvadorian Archbishop. As part of their commemorations St John’s Catholic Academy, Bishop Auckland, organised a programme of events for their Year 10 students, inspired by Romero’s words ‘Aspire not to have more, but to be more’.
Missio, the Catholic Church’s official charity for overseas mission, was asked along to St John’s to take part. Romero’s links with Missio and his time as the charity’s National Director in El Salvador, were highlighted through presentations and workshops. Highlighted also to pupils was the powerful example set by Romero; to observe the world around them and consider their role within it, inspired by the Gospel and strengthened by faith.
St John’s chaplain, Mrs Emma Ramsey said of the day, “We wanted to provide our students with the opportunity to reflect on the paths they take, the choices they make, and the qualities needed for themselves and others to lead a truly fulfilled life. The students gained a lot from Missio’s input. They heard about what the charity does to enable those less fortunate than ourselves to have access to the things we take for granted.”
Missio was also invited to take part in St Anthony’s Girl’s Catholic Academy, Step Up To Life Mission Week, led by the Diocesan Youth Ministry Team. Inspired by the week’s theme – forgiveness - Missio facilitated workshops which explored the importance of mercy and peace in our efforts to build God’s Kingdom at home and overseas. Pupils engaged readily in discussion and activities; considering practical ways in which they can become missionaries of God’s love and producing on occasion some impressive visual representations of God’s kingdom. Built with the help of Missio’s red boxes.
Missio would like to thank St John’s and St Anthony’s for their welcome and support. Their missionary efforts bring to mind more inspiring words from Blessed Oscar Romero:
“Let us not develop an education that creates in the mind of the student a hope of becoming rich and having the power to dominate. Let us form in the heart of a young person the idea of loving, of preparing oneself to serve and giving oneself to others.”
Over the next few weeks Missio will be visiting more schools in Hexham and Newcastle. If you would like to find out about arranging a visit to your school, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Catholic Education Service welcomes Government announcement on RSE
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP KC*HS, Chairman of the Catholic Education Service said;
“Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) forms part of the mission of Catholic schools to educate the whole person. Our schools have a long track record of educating young people who are prepared for adult life as informed and engaged members of society, and high quality RSE plays an important part of this.
“We welcome the Government’s commitment to improving Relationship and Sex Education in all schools. Catholic schools already teach age-appropriate Relationship and Sex Education in both primary and secondary schools. This is supported by a Catholic model RSE curriculum which covers the RSE curriculum from nursery all the way through to sixth form.
“We additionally welcome the Government’s commitment to protect parental right of withdrawal and involve parents in all stages of the development and delivery of RSE in all schools. It is essential that parents fully support the school’s approach to these sensitive matters. The experience of Catholic schools is that parental involvement is the basis for providing consistent and high quality RSE at home and at school.
“We look forward to working closely with the Government to shape any new guidance to enable Catholic schools to continue to deliver outstanding RSE, in accordance with parents’ wishes and Church teaching.”
ENDS
Comic Relief 2017
The CES has received queries from schools wanting advice on whether they can allow pupils to take part in fundraising activities for Comic Relief. These activities are often popular but concerns have been expressed that some of the fundraising may go towards providing services that ar contrary to Church teaching. The CES has raised these concerns recently with Comic Relief. Please see below the most recent response from Comic Relief on these matters.
Right of Withdrawal from RE and Collective Worship
Voluntary aided schools in England and Wales must ensure that religious education is provided as part of the school’s basic curriculum. In Catholic schools this is done accordance with the teachings, doctrines, discipline and norms of the Catholic Church. Academies in England are required by their funding agreement and Articles of Association to comply with similar requirements.
Similarly, in state funded schools England and Wales are required by law to take part in an act of collective worship on each school day. In Catholic schools this is dome in accordance with the rites, practices, disciplines and liturgical norms of the Catholic Church.
Parents of pupils in VA schools and voluntary academies are permitted to request that their child is withdrawn from receiving all or part of religious education and/or collective worship given at the school and any such request shall stand until such time that the parent’s request is withdrawn. Sixth form pupils may, on their own behalf, wholly or partly withdraw from attendance at collective worship at the school.
More information can be downloaded below.
Pope Francis' Mega Youth Poll
In 2018, Pope Francis will meet Bishops and others to talk about Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment. At this gathering they will discuss how the Catholic Church can accompany all young people in their faith and help them to hear God’s call. Please can you encourage your students aged between 13-29 years old to use the Mega Youth Poll so that they can tell the Catholic Church in England and Wales what life is like for them, their thoughts on faith and how we can help them to hear God’s call by using this link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/schools-youth-poll or scanning this QR code with your phone.
Please encourage your students to share their thoughts rather than what they think we would like to hear. For a list of the questions asked in the Mega Youth Poll, Click HERE
Praying the Rosary for Peace
At the start of May, Pope Francis encouraged Catholics to pray the Rosary for peace. Around the same time Mission Together, the Holy Father’s official children’s charity for overseas mission, paid a timely visit to St Mary’s Primary School (Batley) to deliver a special assembly. St Mary’s has a long tradition of reciting the Rosary with its pupils in May, a practice fondly remembered by ex-pupil and Mission Together education team member, Claire Colleran.
Claire was delighted to have been invited into her old school at the start of Lent to speak to pupils about Mission Together and how, as children helping children through prayer and giving, they can share in the mission of the Church and deliver God’s love to all people, everywhere, just as Jesus taught us.
Following that assembly, St Mary’s had adopted Mission Together as their Lenten charity and helped raise funds by selling the charity’s Mission Rosaries. Although Mission Together was just one of a number of the school’s Lenten charities, St Mary’s still managed to raise a wonderful £350 to help children living in poverty overseas.
Claire was invited back in to St Mary’s to collect the cheque and to lead a Marian inspired Mission Rosary assembly. Parish priest Fr Eamonn Hegarty came along to bless the children for their efforts to share God’s love with others through their support of Mission Together.
RE Coordinator, Mrs Jennie Blanchfield, said of the visit; ‘The children fully embraced Mission Together and its concept of children helping children. They could see through their prayers and giving that they can make a small change to children's lives all around the world. They were totally committed to collecting as much loose change as possible to put in the Mission Together Boxes.’
Father Eamonn Hegarty added, "Once again the children of St Mary's have shown how generous they are."
Mission Together supports the physical, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing of children around the world. If you’ve been inspired by St Mary’s efforts and would also like to encourage children to help children, contact missiontogether.org.uk to arrange an assembly, or download user friendly assemblies (including the Rosary assembly delivered at St Mary’s) and other resources from our website.
Scheme of delegation
The CES has produced model resources for multi-academy trust companies to assist them with their duty to operate in accordance with a scheme of delegation. The model table of roles and responsibilities is comprehensive but it is entirely possible that additional actions will need to be added to reflect particular requirements at multi-academy trust level and/or diocesan level. The table may also be amended to reflect different arrangements for the carrying out of certain actions. This is particularly likely where there is a central senior executive leadership team.
Catholic multi-academy trust companies or Catholic schools looking to convert must liaise closely with their Diocese (and Trustees where different) when formulating an appropriate scheme of delegation, particularly in relation to the table of roles and responsibilities. It may be that particular dioceses adapt the CES models to reflect their own diocesan policies and practices before agreeing the scheme of delegation with their multi-academy trust companies. It is because of this that Catholic multi-academy trust companies are advised to contact their Diocesan Education Service in the first instance before adopting the CES model scheme of delegation and/or appendices.
Mission Animation Day in Clifton Diocese
In June 80 children from seven schools in Swindon and Malmesbury, Clifton Diocese, gathered together in joyful celebration for a Mission Together Animation Day. The morning was spent with children making friends with one another, engaging in group activities, and reflecting on their role as ‘children helping children’ with Mission Together, the Pope’s official children’s charity for overseas mission.
Through the day children learnt that even though they are all unique individuals, they can make a big difference to building God’s kingdom when they act together and support one another. The Good News Bracelets made by the children, reminded them of the hope and love they bring to other young people around the world who are living in poverty when they pray and share- as Jesus taught.
The sessions were followed by an afternoon Liturgy led by Missio’s National Director, Fr Tony Chantry and Missio’s Diocesan Director for Clifton Diocese, Fr Gary Brassington. The chaplaincy team from local secondary school, St Joseph’s Catholic College, Swindon helped the Liturgy to run smoothly with the addition of their prayers and reflections.
Many congratulations to all the pupils and students for their words of wisdom and thoughtfulness as they carried out their tasks. Thanks also to the staff - teachers and chaplains – who generously gave up their time to help organise the event and who provided inspiration for future Mission Together animation days. Final thanks goes to Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, Swindon for hosting a wonderful day.
Codes of Conduct for Governors and Directors
CES Model Codes of Conduct for Governors and Directors of all Catholic Schools and Academies
Governors and Directors of all Catholic schools and academies in England and Wales should adopt a code of conduct which sets out the purpose of their governing body or board and describes the appropriate relationship between individual governors or directors, the whole governing body or board and the leadership team of the school or college.
The CES has published three CES model Codes of Conduct that you can download here as follows:
- Codes of Conduct for Governors of a Governing Body of a Voluntary Aided School, Federation or Sixth Form College (in England and Wales)
- Codes of Conduct for Directors of a Single Academy Trust Company or a Multi Academy Trust Company (in England)
- Codes of Conduct for Governors of a Local Governing Body within a Multi Academy Trust Company (in England)
These model codes of conduct are designed to preserve and develop the Catholic character of our schools and academies. Please download and complete the text boxes as appropriate.
Links to Catholic Organisations
Below are a series of links to organisations which support the provision of Catholic education:
|
Catholic Agencies and Charities |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
  |
||
|
Catholic Educational Organisations |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
|
International |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Government |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Other |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Entries for Religious Studies A level remain high with the fastest growth among arts, humanities and social sciences
The key outcomes of the 2017 A level results in England and Wales for Religious Education are as follows:
- 23,856 RS A level entries were recorded, a small decrease of 4.0% on 2016. Much of this decrease is explained by a decrease in the number of 18-year-olds in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland of 1.7%
- Despite the decrease in entries for RS, there are still more than double the number in 2003 (11,132 entries were recorded in 2003)
- The increase of 114% in the number of entries for RS A level since 2003 is greater than for any arts, humanity or social science subject (the nearest subject is Political Studies with an increase of 90%). Among all subjects, only Further Maths has seen more rapid growth than RS
- 23.3% of entries for RS A level were awarded an A or an A*
- There were 16,308 entries for RS at AS level, a decrease of 54% on 2016; this reflects the decline across all subjects where the number of AS entries fell by 40% across England and Wales. Despite the drop there are still more entries than in 2003 (15,482 entries were recorded in 2003)
The importance of RS A Level as a subject for Higher Education entry and for graduate recruiters is increasingly recognised by independent bodies. The Russell Group of top universities has made it clear that RS A level provides ‘suitable preparation for University generally’, and both Oxford and Cambridge University include Religious Studies in the top level list of ‘generally suitable Arts A levels’.
In fact, almost 21% of students admitted to Oxford University to study English and 13.5% admitted to study History in 2015 had an RS A level, more than those with Economics, Physics and Business Studies A levels.1
Employers are also recognising the value of religious literacy. For example, in February 2017, EY announced the creation of Religious Literacy for Organisations (RLO), a diversity and inclusion training programme designed to help organisations better understand religious inclusion and its positive impact on business process and performance.
Career prospects for those that take Religious Studies/Theology at degree level are also very bright, with 25% of 2015 graduates going on to work in the fields of legal, social and welfare, 11% choosing to become educational professionals and almost 5% managers.2
The high number of pupils taking A level and AS level Religious Studies is all the more impressive for coming at a time when there is a shortfall in recruitment for teacher training in Religious Education. Evidence collected by the National Association of Teachers of RE (NATRE) suggests that headteachers are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit RE specialists.
Comment from Daniel Hugill, Chair, National Association of Teachers of RE (NATRE)
"Congratulations to the many students receiving their Religious Studies results today. Their results are the product of their hard work grappling with some of the most difficult questions to ever puzzle humankind. Congratulations to their teachers too who have worked tirelessly to ensure that their students can reach their full potential. It is of little surprise to those of us who teach RS that it remains so popular amongst young people. RS A-level is an excellent preparation for both further study and for entering the world of work. RS is a subject that helps young people gain access to a wide range of degree courses including those at the most prestigious Universities. Our most recent Freedom of Information request found that more than 1 in 10 students admitted to Oxford’s Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) and History courses had studied RS A-Level. This statistic increases to more than 1 in 5 for students admitted to study English. The subject matter and approach of an RS A-level helps to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to succeed in modern Britain.”
Comment from Rudolf Eliott Lockhart, Chief Executive, Religious Education Council of England and Wales (REC):
"It’s fantastic to see how popular Religious Studies A level remains. This is a highly rated subject that offers pupils the opportunity to explore crucial questions in relation to beliefs, values and morality. In doing so it provides an excellent preparation for living in a multi-faith, multi-cultural world. What’s more, Religious Studies is a rigorous, academic A-level that provides an excellent foundation for further study in a wide range of academic subjects, and remains a very attractive qualification to universities. These results are really encouraging, but there’s still work to do. I hope that the Government will want to work with us to turn enough of today’s keen A level pupils into tomorrow’s teachers to help meet the shortfall in appropriately qualified teachers of religious education that we currently face.”
Numbers of A level entries in arts, humanities and social sciences in England and Wales by selected subject area, 2003 to 2017
|
A level subject area |
2003 |
2005 |
2007 |
2009 |
2011 |
2013 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
% change 2003 to 2017 |
|
Religious studies |
11,132 |
14,929 |
16,841 |
18,899 |
19,952 |
20,851 |
23,372 |
24,849 |
23,856 |
114% |
|
Political studies |
8,683 |
10,008 |
11,088 |
12,277 |
13,715 |
14,302 |
14,087 |
14,462 |
16,467 |
90% |
|
Economics |
17,153 |
17,087 |
17,016 |
20,546 |
23,476 |
25,755 |
27,202 |
28,827 |
29,557 |
72% |
|
Sociology |
23,498 |
25,709 |
26,663 |
28,472 |
29,703 |
29,681 |
31,378 |
32,968 |
33,625 |
43% |
|
History |
40,089 |
42,735 |
44,035 |
46,617 |
48,590 |
49,786 |
53,548 |
51,974 |
47,877 |
19% |
|
Law |
12,350 |
14,510 |
15,487 |
16,276 |
14,351 |
12,484 |
10,701 |
11,209 |
11,487 |
-7% |
|
Geography |
33,467 |
30,552 |
29,538 |
30,226 |
29,348 |
30,871 |
35,221 |
34,180 |
35,820 |
7% |
|
ALL SUBJECTS |
721,887 |
752,602 |
774,842 |
815,603 |
834,735 |
817,916 |
818,359 |
799,524 |
792,527 |
10% |
Notes: GCE A level results of A level candidates in England and Wales.
Source: Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ)
Catholic education in Wales
The Catholic Church in Wales
The Catholic Church in Wales is divided into three dioceses; the Diocese of Wrexham, the Diocese of Menevia and the Archdiocese of Cardiff. Together they are referred to as the Catholic Provence of Cardiff and have an estimated Catholic population of 208,146.
The Diocese of Wrexham consists of the 6 Counties of North Wales and the district of Montgomery in the County of Powys in Mid-Wales. It has a Catholic population of 37,050.
The Diocese of Menevia covers Swansea, Carmarthen, Llandrindod wells, Haverfordwest and Port Talbot. It has a Catholic population of over 27,096
The Archdiocese of Cardiff has eight deaneries covering Cardiff, the Welsh valleys, Bridgend, Hereford, Newport, North Gwent and Pontypridd. It has a Catholic population of over 144,000.
Catholic schools in Wales
The Catholic Church is one of the oldest providers of education in Wales. Together with the Church in Wales, they are the only providers of denominational education in the country.
There are 82 state-maintained Catholic schools in Wales (all Voluntary Aided) educating more than 28,000 pupils and employing over 1,600 members of staff.
This includes 68 Catholic primary schools, 14 Catholic secondary schools, and a Catholic sixth form college.
Welsh Catholic schools are some of the most ethnically and religiously diverse in the country - just under half of pupils in Welsh Catholic schools are not Catholic.
Catholic schools remain extremely popular with parents of all faiths and none and therefore expand parental choice in education for Welsh families.
Click the links to find out more about Religious Education, Relationship and Sex Education, and Collective Worship in Welsh Catholic schools
Latest News from Welsh Catholic Schools
Welsh Government risks ‘losing the trust of the Catholic community’, CES tells Senedd
Welsh Catholic school heads unite to oppose RE changes
Message from the Rt Rev Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds and Chairman of the Catholic Education Service
Catholic Education Service Criticises Welsh Government RSE Announcement
Campaigns
Stop the Welsh Government revoking parents' rights as the primary educators of their children: it is important that sensitive subjects like Relationship and Sex Education and Religious Education are taught in accordance with parents' views. Removing the rights of parents' to withdraw their children from these subjects will undermine their role as parents.
Welsh language strategy
As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting the Welsh langugage and Welsh Catholic heritage within the education sector, the CES has created a Welsh language strategy.
St Richard Gwyn
St Richard Gwyn was one of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales. Born in Montgomeryshire, he was a schoolteacher in Wrexham and is also believed to be one of a handful of Martyrs who was a fluent Welsh speaker. He is the Patron Saint of teachers in Wales
His feast day is 16 October and is an occasion where Catholic schools across Wales celebrate their members of staff.
Higher and Further Education
Sixth Form Colleges
There are 14 Catholic sixth form colleges across England and Wales, all of which deliver further education. More information about them may be found in our schools' directory. Many Catholic secondary schools also have sixth forms.
These Catholic sixth form colleges are collectively known as ACVIC (Association of Catholic Sixth Form Colleges). They are listed below:
Catholic Universities
There are four Catholic universities:
- Leeds Trinity University
- Liverpool Hope University
- Newman University
- St Mary's University Twickenham
Ecclesiastical Faculties
The Ecclesiastical Faculties of Philosophy and Theology, formerly at Heythrop College, were transferred to St Mary’s University in 2019:
The Cathedrals Group
The Cathedrals Group (also know as The Council of Church Universities and Colleges (CCUC)) is an association of sixteen universities and university colleges with Church foundations.
Members share a common faith heritage and a strong commitment to values such as social justice, respect for the individual and promoting the public good through their work with communities and charities.
The CES is a partner of the Cathedrals Group. You can find out more about its work on its website: http://www.cathedralsgroup.ac.uk/
Institutions in membership of the Cathedrals Group which have Catholic connections are Leeds Trinity University, Liverpool Hope University, Newman University, St Mary's University Twickenham and the University of Roehampton.
Institutes of Higher Studies
There are a number of higher education institutes and study centres which have Catholic connections. These are listed below, with links to their websites.
- Blackfriars Studium, Oxford
- Campion Hall, Oxford
- Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham University
- Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge
- Maryvale Institute, Birmingham
- Von Hugel Institute St Edmund's College, Cambridge
Chaplaincy Documents
Available to download below is a series of documents for Schools Chaplains. These include the CES national standards as well as chaplaincy job descriptions for both primary and secondary phases.
CES National Standards for School Chaplains
CES School Chaplain Job Description Secondary
CES School Chaplain Job Description Primary
English and Welsh Bishops hold firm against admissions cap
In their November Plenary meeting, the Bishops of England and Wales reaffirmed their opposition to the 50% admissions cap.
Since 2010 the 50% cap has effectively banned the opening of any new Catholic Free Schools. This is because the Bishops couldn’t countenance the opening of Catholic school which turned away Catholic children because they were Catholic.
Their full resolution read:
Further to its resolution of November 2013, the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales reiterates its position that the imposition of the 50% cap on the control of admissions is not a secure basis for the provision of Catholic education in England.
The provision of education is fundamental to the mission of the Church in England and Wales and, in line with their canonical responsibilities, Bishops will continue to strive to provide a Catholic school place for every Catholic child in their respective dioceses.
Prior to the June 2017 General Election, the Bishops’ Conference welcomed the Government’s commitment to remove the 50% admissions cap as set out in the Conservative Party manifesto.
The principle of parental choice is fundamental to both Catholic education and the current educational policy in England and Wales, and for more than 150 years Catholic parents have had the opportunity to choose a Catholic education for their children.
Therefor the Bishops’ Conference welcomes the supportive comments made by the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Education about Catholic schools and their acknowledgement that the admissions cap is an issue which actively targets the Catholic community, as Catholic parents are the principle religious minority adversely affected by the admissions cap.
We therefore call on the Government to honour its Manifesto commitment.
The Bishops are now urging Catholics to write to the Secretary of State for Education urging her to keep the Government’s manifesto commitment.
You can write to the Secretary of State by clicking on this link: http://catholicnews.org.uk/education-cap
St Benedict’s Catholic Primary Garforth receive a visit from Prime Minister
St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School in Garforth were very honoured to receive a visit from Theresa May, Prime Minister. The visit took place under high security in February as part of a school INSET day. The Prime Minister had a round the table discussion with senior leaders and teachers from the school. She was keen to understand the positives and challenges of the current primary education agenda. Staff took the opportunity to give examples of the challenges in the current system for all teachers as well as celebrate the strengths of St Benedict’s. The visit was a real recognition of the great community of St Benedict’s in its staff, governors, children, parents and the wider community.
Religious groups unite to hit back at claims that their schools are divisive
Statement from the Church of England, Catholic Education Service, Methodist Church in Britain & The Board of Deputies of British Jews
We are the organisations that represent 99% of all schools with a religious character in England and our communities’ experience of providing education stretches back centuries.
Our schools embrace both excellence and academic rigour set within the wider framework of the formation of the whole child. This includes spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional, moral and social development and enables children to flourish.
It is precisely because of our faith ethos that our schools remain exceptionally popular with parents.
Our schools are drivers of community cohesion, whether that is through educating children from all cultures, creeds and communities, or the impressive programmes they run to connect their pupils with children from other religions and beliefs.
As the representatives of the faith communities which actually run the vast majority of these schools, we reject the suggestion that they are divisive and are proud of what they achieve for their pupils and for our country as a whole.
Rev Nigel Genders, Chief Education Officer, Church of England
Paul Barber, Director, Catholic Education Service
Barbara Easton, Director of Education, Methodist Church in Britain
Gillian Merron, Chief Executive, The Board of Deputies of British Jews
Statement from the Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP on the 50% faith admissions cap
“In their General Election manifesto, the Conservative Party made a commitment to the Catholic community that the unfair rule effectively stopping the opening of new Catholic free schools would be lifted. Today the Government has broken this promise, dropped the pledge they made to our country’s six million Catholics and ignored the tens of thousands of Catholics who campaigned on this issue.
“This U-turn disregards the Government’s own data showing the 50% cap doesn’t create diversity, and sides with a vocal minority of campaigners who oppose the existence of Church schools. Catholic schools are popular with parents of all faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, despite this we will remain barred from participating in the free school programme.
“The Catholic Church has had a long and positive relationship with the State in the provision of education and we see today’s decision as a regressive step in this historic partnership.
“We remain committed to our vision of education which consistently delivers high-quality schooling and contributes to the common good. Therefore we will continue to work with the Department for Education to address the urgent demand for new Catholic schools. This commitment means we will pursue the possibility of new Catholic voluntary aided schools despite the direction of travel for nearly a decade being towards academisation.
“Voluntary aided schools are an important part of the Catholic sector and it is significant that the Government has singled out Catholic education as an area to fund directly. This is rightly in recognition of the importance of Catholic schools to local communities and the contribution they make to the wellbeing of society.”
The Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP
Archbishop of Liverpool and Chair of the Department for Education & Formation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
GDPR and the CES Census
The annual CES Census is the source of all school data collected by the CES. No data on individual pupils is collected in the census. The name of the headteacher is collected, also a contact name and email address which are used solely for census communications the following year.
A document that describes the extent to which the CES census falls within the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) can be downloaded below. This document addresses questions that the CES has received from schools that raised concerns about the CES census and privacy of schools data.
Why Relationship and Sex Education is a must for all Catholic schools
By Catherine Bryan, Assistant Director, Catholic Education Service
It isn’t easy being a young person in 2018. What with social media, mobile phones with unlimited access to the internet and the 24-hour celebrity news cycle, young people are faced with challenges even their slightly older contemporaries didn’t have to comprehend.
The question facing the Catholic Church now, is how we respond to and protect our young people from the potentially dangerous effects of these facts of modern life? Do we bury our heads in the sand, or do we tackle the issue head on? We must do the latter.
What’s more, this is an issue that will not go away. The Department for Education and the Welsh Assembly have set a clear direction of travel, that this is an area which is going to receive more attention. Indeed, we have seen recently, a clear commitment to compulsory Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) in Wales and we await the outcome of the DfE’s consultation response to their RSE agenda.
Throughout its long history, the Church, whilst always remaining true to the teachings of Christ, has also adapted its pastoral response to the needs of its flock. Now, in the internet age, it needs to do so especially with regards to Relationship and Sex Education and our Catholic schools are best placed to support parents with this incredibly important task.
For those not involved in education, attention-grabbing headlines about RSE can lead to a false impression of what the subject is actually about. Therefore, we need to set the record straight and debunk the myths around it, because ultimately, in an increasingly dangerous world, RSE is about keeping young people safe.
It is also about teaching young people what a healthy relationship looks like so that as they develop and grow they can make the right choices when faced with a range of challenges. What RSE is not about is pushing a particular agenda or promoting secular attitudes over the teachings of the Church. It is about dealing with the real-life issues young people face and providing practical and compassionate pastoral guidance.
Neither is it all about sex.
Sex education does play a role in preparing young people for adult life but unless it is situated within the broader context of relationship education, it is a fruitless exercise. The model Catholic RSE curriculum recognises this and puts the formation of healthy and loving relationships at its core. This has now been more widely recognised and acknowledged as the national focus has shifted from Sex and Relationship Education to Relationship and Sex Education. A subtle difference, reinforcing the importance of healthy relationships in order to protect young people from potentially dangerous relationships.
People are often surprised when they hear that the Catholic school sector is the only one in the country with a comprehensive and age-appropriate RSE curriculum from 3yrs to 19yrs. The reason for this? Catholic education centres around the formation of the whole child, and teaching a young person how to build and maintain healthy relationships is an essential part of forming rounded individuals.
This is why, when the Government announced last year that it intended to make RSE statutory, the Catholic Education Service (CES) publicly welcomed this commitment to improve the quality and provision of RSE in all schools. And we did so, because Catholic schools already recognise the importance of this and teach high quality RSE as part of the holistic education which seeks to form as well as inform young people in preparation for adult life. We also welcomed it because the Government sought to protect parents’ rights, as well as the ability for Catholic schools to approach RSE within the context of Church teaching.
The CES has a strong relationship with the Department for Education and we have been working closely with them to ensure that any statutory requirements are appropriate for Catholic schools. The first and most important being protection of the right of parents to be able to withdraw their child from sex education. Parents have the primary responsibility of teaching their children how to form loving relationships and Catholic schools are there to assist them with this. Therefore, if a parent feels best placed to deliver some of the more sensitive elements of sex education outside the classroom, they have the right to do so and this is something the Government remains committed to.
The reality is, however, that very few parents choose to do this because the vast majority of Catholic schools closely involve parents with the delivery of their RSE programmes. The most recent Catholic schools census found that just 0.01% of parents with children in a Catholic school exercise their right of withdrawal. Of more than 850,000 pupils in Catholic schools, that is the equivalent of just one pupil in every 7,800.
It is also important to note that schools with a religious character will still be able to teach RSE within the tenants and traditions of their respective faiths. For Catholic schools, this means that we can remain faithful to the Church’s vision of human wholeness, whilst at the same time ensuring that young people are given the factual information and equipped to make informed life choices.
And they need to be able to make informed life choices because of the very real dangers out there. Online grooming, inappropriate social media use, sexting and pornography are all examples or products of unhealthy relationships, and, unless we show children how to recognise the above as dangerous, we are failing them in the long term. This must of course be done in an age appropriate way, but it is something which does need to start early on in a young person’s development.
Our Catholic values are grounded in forgiveness, compassion and mercy. To deny young people an education in this area would be to deny these core values rooted in the Gospel and Church teaching, and leave them unprotected in an increasingly dangerous world. This would be the greatest tragedy of all.
Catholic Church condemns Clarke and Woodhead report on Religious Education
The Catholic Church has condemned the Clarke and Woodhead report on Religious Education claiming the Catholic community would find their recommendations ‘unacceptable’.
Commenting on today’s report, the Right Reverend Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds and lead bishop for Religious Education commented:
“Today’s report by Charles Clarke and Linda Woodhead appears to have little regard to the approach taken by the Catholic Church to the teaching of RE. Not only are their recommendations largely incompatible within our sector, they were compiled with the knowledge that the Catholic community would find them unacceptable; this was explicitly stated in their report.
“The recommendations in the report are unacceptable for two reasons. Firstly, that the State can impose a national RE curriculum, which would dictate what the Church is required to teach in Catholic schools. Secondly, the curriculum they suggest contains no theological content, which is at the core of Catholic RE.
“We accept there is a need to improve RE in all schools and Catholic teachers and academics have been actively contributing to this discussion, producing suggestions that would work within the plurality in our country’s schools sector, allowing for all schools to choose between RE as a theological discipline and Religious Studies as a sociological discipline.
“Catholic schools are the most successful providers of Religious Education in the country. This is because we take it seriously as a rigorous, theological academic subject. However, rather than look at the sector that does it the best they have opted for a reductionist approach which is exclusively sociological and has no consensus amongst RE professionals.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors
There are more than 2200 Catholic schools in England and Wales
Catholic Religious Education is central to what makes Catholic schools uniquely Catholic. All Catholic schools are required to allocate 10% of all curriculum time to Religious Education.
There are two approaches to the teaching RE, the sociological Religious Studies approach which sees religious as a social construct and the Theological approach which studies the human response to the divine. Catholic schools study the latter.
20% of all entrants to RE GCSE come from the Catholic sector. That’s one tenth of school provision in the country providing a fifth of all the RE GCSE entrants.
Year after year Catholic schools out-perform the national average for RE GCSE by at least three percentage points.
Religious Education in Catholic schools whilst being predominantly theological covers all major world religions as well as the atheist critiques of religion.
Religious Education – The Case for the Catholic Approach
By Philip Robinson, Religious Education Adviser to the Catholic Education Service
Religious Education is one of the most contentious subjects in education. So much so, a Commission on Religious Education (CoRE) has been created to look at the future of the subject and how it is taught in schools.
Without a doubt there are issues that need addressing, principally that many schools without a religious character are failing to teach any RE whatsoever, despite their statutory obligation to do so. We have also seen recently that the number of pupils taking GCSE RE across all schools has declined.
But how do we fix these problems without breaking the distinctive character of schools which already teach RE well? On top of that, how do we maintain a broad, inclusive, high quality provision of RE without imposing a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach on the variety of contexts in which it is taught?
CoRE is rightly taking evidence from across our commendably pluralistic education landscape and as the second largest provider of education in the country and the single largest entrant of RE GCSE candidates, the Catholic Church is playing a role. And it is important that the Catholic perspective is heard on this, not only because a quarter of all entrants to GCSE RE are from Catholic schools, but because RE is at the core of what our schools are about.
First, it is important to recognise that there are different approaches when delivering RE, each of them have their own benefits and, in different schools could be the preferred method of teaching. That is, there is a pluralism of approaches as well as a pluralism of subject matter.
Religious Education in Catholic schools draws predominantly on the academic discipline of theology, and is essentially a school level version of the theological discipline taught in most universities. In other school contexts the approach to RE is largely sociological.
Theology’s subject matter is God, God’s revelation and humanity’s response to this revelation. It does not require that students believe in God but it does require that they take seriously the commitments of those who do. Theology begins with the presumption that God is real and the purpose of the study is to come to some understanding of the nature and significance of this reality.
Those who take the sociological approach to Religious Education (or Religious Studies as such an approach is called in universities) are methodologically agnostic; they see religion as a human artefact and thus focus on the precepts and practices of different believers.
Whereas this method is interested in the believer, theology is interested in what the believer actually believes, how this influences their behaviour and the legitimacy and coherence of their religious ‘truth claims’. The sociological approach has no interest in questions of this kind.
Moreover, there are those who would claim that because the study of religion and belief in all schools must be objective, critical and pluralistic, the most appropriate method of study is the one that brackets out individual belief and studies religions as purely human phenomena. While not wanting to deny the importance of understanding religions and belief through the lens of the social sciences, eliding out the theological view is to occlude in advance the religious believer’s own self-understanding and to fail to recognise the impossibility of a genuinely neutral standpoint from which to view religion.
But this also does not mean that the theological approach is blinkered to the practices of other world religions nor does it mean Catholic schools don’t teach about other faiths and beliefs. The study of other religions, and the relationship between Christianity and other religions, is an integral part of the Catholic theological tradition. The amount of time Catholic schools dedicate to RE (the minimum requirement the bishops set is 10% of the curriculum) means that pupils in Catholic schools actually get a deeper engagement with other faiths than most pupils at non-denominational schools.
One of the greatest divergences between the sociological and the theological approaches to RE is the way each handles atheism. Whereas theology treats atheism as an important part of challenging the truth claims of religion, the sociological approach merges it into a wider amalgamation of ‘worldviews’, effectively treating it as a non-religious religion.
Whilst this may fit well in the sociological approach, trying to bring together all atheist/agnostic worldviews into a single coherent belief system, raises significant challenges. First, it’s impossible to label everyone who doesn’t subscribe to a religion as part of one specific world view. Secondly, the term ‘worldview’ is so semantically loose, it could widen the subject of RE to the detriment of its academic rigour.
For example, communism, libertarianism, capitalism, nationalism and socialism are just a few non-religious worldviews; should they be taught in RE too? It also seems hugely ironic that the answer to declining religious literacy should be to teach less religion.
Good Religious Education should help students to experience religious belief in both of these senses of ‘looking at’ and ‘looking with’ religion since education is about opening the minds of students to worlds they otherwise could not imagine. Theology and Sociology are both legitimate ways of reading religion, but each presents a conceptually discrete world of understanding the way in which religions have meaning. Both are important. In the future I hope the field of Religious Education is diverse enough that a good student of Religious Education might, in time, become is a first-rate theologian.
Many argue that the purpose of RE is to assist in creating a cohesive and tolerant society. RE plays its part in this, but I would argue this is the responsibility of the whole school, and indeed, the wider community. It may be true that well taught RE leads to greater tolerance, but it is not the raison d’être of the subject, nor the reason why it holds its rightful place at the heart of Catholic schools. Religious Education in Catholic schools is theology. It leads pupils to an in-depth knowledge of their own and other faiths but, more crucially, gives them a critical understanding of what faith itself is.
Catholic Church welcomes move to improve Relationship and Sex Education in all schools
The Catholic Church has welcomed the Government’s move to improve Relationship Education in primary schools, Relationship and Sex Education secondary schools and Health Education in all schools.
Catholic schools already perform high quality Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) and the Catholic sector is the only one with a model curriculum covering ages 3 -19.
The Catholic Church also welcomed the fact that the Government had used the Catholic model curriculum as examples of best practice.
Catholic education centres around the formation of the whole child, therefore the teaching of healthy relationships is an essential part of this.
Fundamental to Catholic belief is that parents are the primary educators of their children and the Government’s recommendations are clear that the right for parents right of withdrawal will be maintained.
Also welcomed was that schools with a religious character will continue to be able to approach Relationship and Sex Education within the tenants of their own faith.
The Most Rev Malcolm McMahon, Archbishop of Liverpool and Chair of the Catholic Education Service commented:
“Catholic schools already teach high quality and age-appropriate Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) and will continue to do so. Catholic education revolves around the formation of the whole child; RSE is key to this and we welcome the Government’s commitment to improving it in all schools.
“The reason why Catholic schools do RSE well, is because they teach it in full conjunction with parents who are the primary educators of their children. It is good to see that the Department for Education will continue to support parents and teachers to ensure that RSE provision in all schools will be of a high quality.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
There are more than 2200 Catholic schools in England and Wales
RSE in Catholic schools is faithful to the Church's vision of human wholeness whilst recognising the contemporary context in which we live today. It provides a positive view of human sexuality and dignity of the human person and equips young people with the ability to make practical judgments about the right thing to do in particular circumstances. It is delivered in an age appropriate way and involves parents as they are the primary educators of their child.
The model Catholic curriculum and guidance can be found here: http://www.catholiceducation.org.uk/schools/relationship-sex-education
Catholic Education Service response to the Commission on Religious Education report
A spokesperson for the Catholic Education Service commented: “As a leading provider of Religious Education, we welcome the laudable efforts of the Commission to improve the quality of RE in all schools. However, for this noble aim to be achieved, there needs to be consensus among the RE community on what high quality RE looks like. Disappointingly, this report fails to produce such a consensus.
“Any attempt to improve the quality of RE in all schools must be applauded and we are committed to working with the RE community to achieve this. However, this report is not so much an attempt to improve RE as to fundamentally change its character. The proposed name change to include ‘worldviews’ means that the scope of the subject is now so wide and nondescript that it would potentially lose all academic value and integrity. As we have always maintained, the quality of Religious Education is not improved by teaching less religion.
“RE in Catholic schools is academically rigorous, rooted in the 2000-year-old theological tradition of the Catholic Church, and inspired by the greatest thinkers, from the theology of St Thomas Aquinas to the humanism of St Thomas More. This is why at GCSE, pupils in Catholic schools account for a fifth of all entrants and continually outperform the national average.
“The Catholic Church will always welcome any move to improve the quality RE, our praise of the new, more academically rigorous GCSE is proof of that. Moreover, the Commission’s recommendation for the DfE to review the impact of excluding RE from the Ebacc is something we wholeheartedly agree with.
“The quality of RE in all schools needs to be improved and there are many ways this can be achieved. Including it as an Ebacc subject is one, succumbing to this contentious redefinition of Religious Education is not.”
Notes to Editors
The Catholic schools sector account for a fifth of all GCSE RE entrants and consistently outperform the national average.
10% of the curriculum in Catholic schools is dedicated to the teaching of RE.
The RE curriculum in Catholic schools is stipulated by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales and is set out in their Religious Education Curriculum Directory.
Religious Education in Catholic schools draws predominantly on the academic discipline of theology, and is essentially a school level version of the theological discipline taught in most universities. In non-denominational school contexts the approach to RE is largely sociological.
Catholic RE is pluralistic and covers the teaching of all the world’s major religions as well as concepts such as atheism and humanism
ENDS
Government Announcement on Relationships and Sex Education - CES Statement
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service commented: “We welcome this commitment by the Government to improve Relationships and Sex Education in all schools.
“Catholic education is centred on the formation of the whole child and age appropriate RSE is an essential part of this. It is essential for creating well rounded young people, for equipping students to make good life choices, and for keeping our children safe.
“As such, the Catholic schools’ sector is the only one in the country to have a comprehensive and holistic RSE curriculum for ages 3-19. The proposals announced by the Government today are compatible with the Catholic model curriculum.
“In fact, the Government’s own statutory guidance recognises the Catholic RSE curriculum as an excellent example for schools to use and is one of the few external organisations the guidance referenced as best practice examples.
“The Catholic Church teaches that parents are the prime educators of their children and we are pleased to see the Government sharing this fundamental principle.”
ENDS
Revision of the Religious Education Curriculum Directory – Consultation with Schools
As part of the revision of the Religious Education Curriculum Directory we are seeking the views of teachers. This will be done in two stages. The first stage is to ask schools to complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire can be completed using this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZSg4i89-qt5TAw1ad7MPmRn0ubOLTrOxg1V8q-h9NbYYzRw/viewform?usp=sf_link
The deadline for questionnaire submissions is 24th May 2019.
The second stage is to invite teachers to a face to face consultation as part of the CREDO professional development days in the summer. The dates and venues for these are as follows:
Saturday 22 June, St Mary’s University, Twickenham
Tuesday 25 June, Leeds Trinity University
Wednesday 26 June, Liverpool Hope University
Wednesday 3 July, Newman University, Birmingham
To see full details for each of these days and to book a place please use the links below:
For Saturday 22 June at St Mary’s, click here:
https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/events/2019/06/credo-day
For Tuesday 25 June at Leeds Trinity, click here:
http://www.leedstrinity.ac.uk/events/credo-day-2019
For Wednesday 26 June at Liverpool Hope, click here:
https://store.hope.ac.uk/product-catalogue/events/credo-days-2019/credo-days-2019
For Wednesday 3 July at Newman, click here:
https://www.newman.ac.uk/event/credo-training-day/
The revised edition of the Religious Education Curriculum Directory has a planned publication date of September 2020.
Bishop Marcus Stock named new Chairman of the Catholic Education Service
The Rt Rev Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds, has been elected as the new Chairman of the Catholic Education Service.
He was elected at the Bishops’ spring plenary held at the Royal English College in Valladolid, Spain and succeeds the Most Rev, Malcolm McMahon, Archbishop of Liverpool.
Archbishop McMahon, who has chaired the CES since 2009, was elected as the Vice President of the Bishops’ Conference.
Bishop Stock was Director of Schools for the Archdiocese of Birmingham between 1999 – 2009 and Acting Director of the CES between 2011 – 13. He has been a member of the Management Committee of the CES since 2015.
Bishop Stock commented: “The Catholic Education Service provides vital support and guidance for dioceses and schools throughout England and Wales, and I look forward as its new Chairman to working with the CES in the years ahead.
“I would like to thank Archbishop McMahon for the dedicated and faithful service he has given to the CES over the last ten years and assure him of our prayers for his new role.”
Extraordinary Month of Mission Competition
Through Mission Together, the children’s branch of Missio, children everywhere live out their mission: to share God’s love with the whole world. In a unique exchange of love and friendship children pray for and share with one another. Pope Francis has made October 2019 an Extraordinary Month of Mission during which he calls us to make a special effort to share God’s love around the world. No one is too young or too small to take part.
To mark this special occasion, Mission Together is inviting children in England and Wales to design a postcard, showing how Mission Together helps children all over the world, by feeding hungry people with food and hope; offering those who are thirsty water and faith and helping people who are sick with medicine and prayers.
The theme of the design is: ‘Our Mission: To Share God’s Love with the Whole World’. The competition is open to all children living in England and Wales aged between 5 and 14.
For information about the competition please visit www.missiontogether.org.uk/pupil-postcard-competition and to find out more about the Extraordinary Month of Mission please go to www.missio.org.uk/emm
Happy Drawing!
October 2019: ‘Baptised and Sent’ The Extraordinary Month of Mission
In October 2019 Pope Francis calls us all to renew our missionary commitment through a special month of prayer and action.
Schools are encouraged to join with our worldwide Catholic community to help pupils in their own mission to work and pray together to share God’s love with everyone, everywhere.
For secondary schools, Missio offers a workshop and short reflections to download, focusing on EMM and Christus Vivit. Find these and other secondary materials at https://missio.org.uk/emm-schools-page/
Mission Together, Missio’s children’s branch, has created resources to help primary schools mark this special month, including assemblies, activities and liturgies. These are available to download at https://missiontogether.org.uk/an-extraordinary-month-of-mission/
Missio is the Pope’s charity for world mission.
Mater Ecclesiae College – Ecclesiastical Faculties at St Mary’s University
The Theological and Philosophical faculties, to be known as Mater Ecclesiae College, will open on the 1st October 2019 in its new home at St Mary’s University, Twickenham.
Prior to this move, the Institute was based at Heythrop College which, on the 31st January 2019, ceased to be a college of the University of London.
In July of this year, the Holy See, by a Decree of the Congregation for Catholic Education, transferred the Faculties of Theology and Philosophy from Heythrop College to St Mary’s University with governance being transferred from the Society of Jesus to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
Mater Ecclesiae College will remain the only faculties in the UK with the ability to confer ecclesiastical degrees – qualifications recognised throughout the Catholic Church.
Bishop of Salford Addresses Conservative Party Conference
The Bishop of Salford addressed a well-attended fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference yesterday.
The reception, organised by the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, The Catholic Education Service, and the Catholic Herald, celebrated the work of the Church in public life.
More than 70 MPs, local councillors and party members attended the event to hear from the Bishop of Salford, the Rt Rev. John Arnold.
Bishop John paid tribute to the work of Catholics in public life, thanking them for their vocation to serve the common good.
In his speech he also stressed the need for more kindness in the country’s political discourse as well as the desire for all political parties to prioritise measures to tackle the climate emergency.
Statement from the Catholic Education Service on the consultation on RE and RSE in Wales
High quality Religious Education is essential for producing well rounded, religiously literate young people. In a similar respect, well taught Relationship and Sex Education plays a vital role in preparing children for life in modern Wales as well as keeping them safe.
Therefore, Catholic schools already teach high quality RE and RSE, and they teach it well. In fact, our model RSE curriculum is widely recognised as best practice, not just for Catholic schools but for secular schools as well.
Nevertheless, parents are the primary educators of their children and schools exist to support, not replace them. This is particularly important when dealing with sensitive and deeply personal topics such as faith and RSE. To remove the right of withdrawal would, therefore, be huge erosion of parental rights and represent regressive step in the relationship between parents and the state.
The parental right of withdrawal is an essential principle which incentivises a constructive dialogue between schools and parents. This is what Catholic schools already do, and in 2018 no pupils were withdrawn from RSE in Catholic schools. We see this as a mark of success and not as an excuse to remove this right.
We are also deeply concerned about the proposed name change of RE to include ‘worldviews’ as this would represent a dumbing down of RE. By including a range of non-religious ‘worldviews’ into, what is in Catholic schools, an academically rigorous theological discipline, would water down RE and reduce it to an over-simplistic comparison exercise which fails to understand the deep fundamentals of faith and religion.
Notes to Editors
There are 85 Catholic schools in Wales educating more than 28,000 young people and employing almost 3,000 members of staff.
The Catholic Church and the Church in Wales are the only non-state providers of schools in Wales.
The belief that parents are the primary educators of their children is enshrined in Canon Law (the law of the Catholic Church)
RSE in Catholic schools is faithful to the Church's vision of human wholeness whilst recognising the contemporary context in which we live today.
Links to the Catholic model RSE curriculum can be found here: http://www.catholiceducation.org.uk/schools/relationship-sex-education
RE in Catholic schools is at the core of the core curriculum and accounts for 10% of the timetable. Whilst predominately focused on the Catholic theological tradition, it covers all the major world faiths as well as the atheist critique of religion.
ENDS
CES Director to speak at the UK’s Largest Education Policy Event
CES Director, Paul Barber will be speaking at this year’s Schools and Academies show in Birmingham.
Paul will be taking part in a seminar titled Lessons in Collaborative Operational Leadership which takes place at 12:50pm on the 14th November – the second day of the conference.
The Schools & Academies Show takes place bi-annually in April at the ExCeL, London and in November at the NEC, Birmingham. Collectively both shows attract over 8,000 attendees from Schools, MATs, Local Authorities, Central Government and the wider education sector.
The Shows are designed to connect senior decision makers and budget holders from schools with the UK’s leading education suppliers.
Through a combination of pioneering speakers, policy makers, interactive roundtables, innovative features, best-practice case-studies and much more, the Shows aim to provide senior leadership teams with practical advice and solutions to overcome their school’s biggest challenges.
More information about the show can be found here: https://schoolsandacademiesshowbirmingham.co.uk/
Protecting the rights of Welsh parents in their children’s education
Active Citizenship resources
Active Citizenship Resources
The CES has produced a collection of resources for schools and teachers to use on the theme of Active Citizenship.
These include:
- Lesson resources on the political process
- Lesson resources on the Church and politics
- Theological resources on what the Church says about 'active citizens'
- Saints and prayer cards
- Useful links
General Elections
How MPs are elected - PowerPoint
Debating in the classroom activities
How to become involved - PowerPoint
Active Citizenship
Several organisations and campaigns were set up for the last General Election (2019) to encourage voters to question their candidates about issues which are important to them, to become more informed about the election and party manifestos, and ultimately, to vote. These resources as set out below have a mixture of practical information and might also be used as we search for guidance on how we might vote.
Bishop Marcus Stock: Why Catholic Schools matter at this General Election
CAFOD/ CSAN General Election 2019 pack
Theological resources on what the Church says about 'active citizens
Below are theological articles for reflection and two Catholic Social Teaching encyclicals.
We are all responsible for all. What does this really mean?
Saints & Prayer Cards
Prayer for the Dedication of Studies 1
Prayer for the Dedication of Studies 2
Other useful links
Run by young people, the UK Youth Parliament provides opportunities for 11-18 year-olds to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change.
Run by young people in Wales, 60 young people aged 11 - 18 are elected Welsh Youth Parliament Members for a two-year term to highlight and debate youth issues at a national level.
The UK Parliament website's learning and education pages contain a lot of resources for schools. Below are a few links to their election resources:
Explores the function and makeup of the three parts that make up Parliament: the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the monarch.
Investigates how Government is held to account through Prime Minister and Minister's questions and select committees.
Explains the stages a proposal for a new law goes through to become an Act of Parliament.
Examines the UK general election exploring: our right to vote, how candidates and parties gain votes and what happens once elected.
Looks at the alternative options available outside of voting to get your voice heard, covering how to contact MPs and Peers or petition and campaign on issues.
Why Catholic Schools matter at this General Election
As a religious community we value our partnership with the government in the provision of Catholic education. It is a partnership which has flourished over the last 170 years. The fruit of this partnership is the network of more than 2,200 Catholic schools across England and Wales, making the Church the second-largest provider of education in the country.
This relationship has been a resounding success on a secular as well as a pastoral and spiritual level. Not only are Catholic schools some of the highest achieving in the country, they are also considerably more ethnically diverse and take in significantly more pupils from the poorest households than the national average.
With this profile and record, the future existence of Catholic schools should be uncontroversial. However, we know this is not the case. Nationally, there are a number of organisations campaigning either to end the provision of schools in England which have a religious character or to transform the curriculum in such a way that it would remove the ability of Catholic schools to maintain their specific ethos. It is this ethos which makes our Catholic schools so unique and successful.
So now, more than ever before, we cannot take the future of Catholic schools for granted. With the general election imminent and when political parties are canvassing for our support, it is important that we ask about a political party’s commitment to our community’s precious schools.
It is still vital to remember that whoever forms the next government, whether comprised of a single party or a coalition, will implement a legislative agenda which could have a direct impact on both Catholic education and the curriculum that is taught in Catholic schools. We must be conscious too that some political parties, while holding favourable views on schools with a religious character generally, also hold policies that could damage Catholic education specifically. Therefore, it is vital you get answers on where a political party stands on the following issues.
Core principles It is not sufficient for a Catholic school just to be called “Catholic”. There are core principles which protect their ethos and the distinctive education they provide. Among these are the ability to give priority in the school’s admissions criteria to Catholic children, the bishop’s right to appoint the majority of the school’s governors, the right to reserve the school’s senior leadership posts for Catholics; and the right to teach and inspect Catholic Religious Education.
Religious Education Religious Education lies at the centre of the core curriculum in Catholic schools. Ten per cent of school time is dedicated to the subject and it is an academically rigorous theological discipline. Recently we have seen calls to abolish this and rename it “Worldviews” with a nationally set curriculum. Not only would this change the nature of the subject and reduce its importance, it could also result in the state determining how and what the Church teaches about the Catholic faith in Catholic schools – something that would be totally unacceptable.
Support for school leaders, teachers and staff Our school leaders, teachers and support staff are outstanding in the work they do. We need to ensure that political parties are committed to supporting teachers and the vocation of teaching. We hope that any future government will continue to provide support for the formation of Catholic teachers through continuing professional development and teacher training.
Relationships and Sex Education Catholic education is based on the formation of the whole child. Well-taught and age-appropriate Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) is an important part of this. However, even more important is the right of parents, as the primary educators of their children, to be fully consulted and to maintain their ability to withdraw their children from these lessons. While we are confident that the model curriculum in Catholic schools delivers RSE in accordance with the teachings of the Church and the wishes of parents, the same cannot be said for other schools. Hence for Catholic parents who do not have the option to send their child to a Catholic school, it is vital that this parental right remains in place.
New Catholic schools Since 2010, the Church has had to find space for an additional 50,000 pupils without being able to open new schools. As a community, we need to make sure that political parties remain committed to supporting the opening of new Catholic schools without a restriction on the proportion of Catholic children that they are free to admit.
As a Catholic community, we have provided our schools as part of our commitment to the common good of society and the education of young people in our country. For many years these schools have flourished. Now it is time to speak up for them and do our civic and Catholic duty to ensure that they can continue to flourish for many years to come.
The Rt Rev Marcus Stock
Bishop of Leeds
Chairman of the Catholic Education Service
Catholic Education Service Criticises Welsh Government RSE Announcement
The Catholic Education Service has today criticised the Welsh Government’s decision to remove the parental right of withdrawal for Religious Education and Relationships and Sexuality Education, as well as the proposed name change of Religious Education.
The CES expressed dismay with the decision referring to is as a ‘regressive step’ which would undermine ‘parent’s fundamental and inalienable role as the primary educators of their children’.
Hundreds of Catholics parents and teachers responded to the consultation as well as contacted their local Assembly Member about this issue. For the CES, today’s decision represents a complete disregard for the opinions of the Catholic community in Wales.
Full statement below.
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service commented: “Today’s announcement from the Welsh Government represents a regressive step in the relationship between parents, schools and the State.
“By removing the parental right of withdrawal, these proposals risk undermining parents’ fundamental and inalienable role as the primary educators of their children.
“Many hundreds of Catholics made representations during the consultation. However, it is clear from today’s announcement that the Welsh Government is content with ignoring the views of the Catholic community.
“The proposed name change of Religious Education is also a step in the wrong direction. It is an unnecessary change which does nothing to improve the academic integrity of RE, but represents a dumbing down of the subject and a weakening of the whole school’s responsibility for instilling values and ethics in its pupils.”
ENDS
Lent Resources
Lent Resources
Catholic Education Service
Suggested reflections for Lent
The God Who Speaks
CAFOD
Lent calendar for children - https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/47780/577402/version/3/CAFOD%20Primary%20Lent%20calendar%202020.pptx
Lent calendar for young people - https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/50643/640647/version/1/Lent%2020%20Calendar%20YP.pptx
Lent 2020 fundraising and prayer resources for primary schools - https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Primary-teaching-resources/Lent
Lent 2020 fundraising and prayer resources for young people - https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Secondary-and-youth-resources/Lent
Missio
Lent resources (secondary) - https://missio.org.uk/lent-and-eastertide/
Lent resources (primary through Mission Together) - https://missiontogether.org.uk/lent/
Loyola Press
Lenten resources for children https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/lent/activities-and-resources
Aid to the Church in Need
https://acnuk.org/resource/lent-hero-countdown/
Wednesday Word
http://wednesdayword.org/school/index.htm
Pax Christi
http://paxchristi.org.uk/product-category/lent-and-easter/
Youtube video interviewing children from a Catholic school in America on what Lent means to them
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mAYIFMK8Kw
Liturgy Office
Message from the Rt Rev Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds and Chairman of the Catholic Education Service
To all teachers, parents, support staff, governors and pupils in Catholic schools
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In what has been arguably one of the most challenging periods of time in a generation, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all who are working in Catholic education.
True to their vocation, the leaders, teachers and support staff in our Catholic schools and colleges have worked selflessly and outstandingly, often at great personal cost and with potential risks to themselves and their families. By keeping schools and colleges open for vulnerable pupils and children of key workers, providing home-learning resources, teaching lessons remotely, maintaining the spiritual and pastoral care of pupils, keeping in touch with families and so much more, our education workforce have rendered a great service both to the nation and to their communities in this time of need.
We should pay tribute also to the parents of pupils who, along with all of the day to day challenges they have had to face during this pandemic crisis, have exercised their role as the first educators of their children within their homes. Nevertheless, many parents are worried about the amount of school-time their children have missed and how this will impact on their development and their future.
We know too, that this crisis is disproportionately affecting the disadvantaged. Our Catholic schools have a special mission to care for the poorest and most vulnerable children and young people in society, and they have significantly more pupils from the most deprived backgrounds than other schools. It is critical therefore that every effort is made to enable more pupils to resume their education in school as soon as it is safe to do so.
Recently, the Government announced that it has commenced the very slow process of gradually lifting the restrictions which were implemented to protect the lives of all of our country’s citizens. To assist headteachers and governing bodies with their planning on how to re-admit more of their pupils back to the school premises once conditions allow, the Catholic Education Service has sought to work closely with the Government to ensure that proper support and clear information is given to dioceses, religious orders, multi-academy trusts and schools. Ultimately though, the safety, health and wellbeing of both pupils and staff must be our foremost priority.
Our society will have to live with the legacy of this crisis for many months and years to come but the fortitude and resolve demonstrated by our Catholic schools’ sector during this emergency has been extraordinary and is something of which we can be rightly proud.
As we face the challenges ahead of us, please do continue to pray for our schools and colleges, their leaders, teachers, parents and pupils.
With the assurance of my prayers and every blessing, I remain
Yours in the Lord
+ Marcus
The Right Reverend Marcus Stock
Chairman of the Catholic Education Service
Bishop of Leeds
21st May 2020
Laudato Si' and environment resources
Below are four Catholic Education Service resources for the second encyclical of Pope Francis, Laudato Si': Care For Our Common Home - click the images to download each one.
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A Celebration of Laudato Sí at Home Reflect, Pray, Act! This resource has been created for families to use at home to learn more about our world and how we can implement Pope Francis’ message into everyday life as a family. |
A Celebration of Laudato Sí at School
This resource has been created for schools. We have included suggested ideas for each of our themes: Reflect, Pray and Act, where children are encouraged to think creatively, prayerfully and practically to make a difference at school and in the wider community. |
Role Models
Who inspires you to take care of our common home? Here we have included some ‘fact files’ of particular Catholic role models and Saints who understood the importance of looking after and appreciating God’s creation. |
Print Outs
Some of our Home and School resources can be adapted so that children can write down their own ideas. We have created a pack of print outs so that parents and teachers can share quotes, questions and the seed bomb / bird feeder recipes in a way that uses less ink. |
View Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales resources on the environment.
View CAFOD resources on Laudato Si'.
Guardians Of Creation
Guardians of Creation is an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional research programme investigating the technical, sociological, organisational and theological paths to sustainable and ecologically sensitive change in the Catholic Church. St Mary’s University has partnered with Salford Diocese and the Laudato Si’ Research Institute, Campion Hall, Oxford University, to develop a comprehensive program of research. The following are school resources produced as part of the Guardians Of Creation project.
The Laudato Si’ Champions toolkit and accompanying report was developed through a one-year pilot programme of teaching and learning delivered to 225 Key Stage 3 students, and offers educators a comprehensive template for engaging students in the ecological crisis through Catholic education. The toolkit itself gives educators everything they need to conduct six lessons, at Key Stage 3 level, exploring the intersection of Catholicism and ecology.
An accompanying report draws on evidence from a survey of 677 Key Stage 3 students and interviews with 83 participants. It explores young people’s experiences, perceptions and beliefs regarding the ecological crisis in depth. The data is used to investigate the development in young people’s relationship to the ecological crisis as they participate in the Laudato Si’ Champions programme, revealing a clear and conclusive set of rationales for implementing the Laudato Si’ Champions Toolkit in any Catholic school.
Caring for Creation was developed over the course of a one-year multiple site case study of eight schools and drawing on evidence given by 83 interviewees. It introduces a model for understanding and facilitating responses to the ecological crisis in Catholic schools.
Its accompanying report begins by exploring the barriers that inhibit Catholic schools’ responses to the ecological crisis, before introducing its model for change, the Caring for Creation model. This describes the phases that Catholic schools in England and Wales pass through in their development of a comprehensive, or whole-school, response to the ecological crisis. Readers who are familiar with Catholic education institutions should be able to identify where their institution is in its progression through the Caring For Creation model, and the consequent actions it should take to develop further.
Mental Health Resources
Prayer Resources
- CBCEW – 2 prayers to bring to God our intentions for those with mental health needs, their families and carers: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/st-dymphna-pray-for-us-on-blue-monday/
- Pray as you Go – This is an Ignatian resource designed to support you each day through prayer reflections that help you become more aware of God’s presence in your life, listen to God’s word and grow in your relationship with God. https://pray-as-you-go.org/
- Taizé – Taizé chants are well-known for being a way to meditate and find space to be with God. On their website they have a section where you can select any Taizé song and you can read, sing and play the music. https://www.taize.fr/en_rubrique2603.html
- Catholic Children’s Society - They have resources to use including a series of video resources named ‘Meditation with Children and Young People’ in collaboration with the World Community for Christian Meditation: https://www.cathchild.org.uk/meditation-with-children-young-people/
Resources for during the Covid-19 Pandemic
- Pray as you Stay - a project run by ‘Pray as you Go’ that offers reflections and support during this time of coronavirus and self-isolation.
- Pathways to God – They have created an examen for the family during the time of lockdown. https://www.pathwaystogod.org/my-prayer-life/examen/examen-families-during-lockdown2020
- CBCEW – They have posted a resource on the psychological care of clergy and religious during quarantine. This is also a useful resource for anyone at this time. https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/health-social-care/coronavirus-guidelines/covid19-psychological-care-of-clergy-and-religious/
- Alone Together – Inspired by the lives of Benedictine religious, this resource offers support and advice on how to cope with this time of isolation https://www.alonetogether.org.uk/
- Faith in Isolation - Faith in Isolation is a platform created to spiritually nourish those isolated from their faith practices as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.faithinisolation.com/
Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources
- The Catholic Mental Health Project have listed Diocesan contacts around the country including Diocesan Mental Health Representatives and Bishops’ Healthcare Advisors. http://www.catholicmentalhealthproject.org.uk/about-us/find-mental-health-pastoral-care They also have an extensive list of charities and organisations nationwide that offer support via their websites and helplines on a wide range of mental health and wellbeing matters such as depression, anxiety, bereavement, eating disorders, self-harm, bereavement and issues in family life. http://www.catholicmentalhealthproject.org.uk/helplines
- Everybody’s Welcome – What is life like if you or someone in your family has mental health problems? And what can your parish do to make a difference? https://www.catholicfamily.org.uk/what-we-do/everybodys-welcome
- St Vincent de Paul (SVP) - Dedicated to tackling poverty and disadvantage by providing direct practical assistance to anyone in need. https://www.svp.org.uk/
- The Art of Dying Well – An animation that illustrates through the fictional story of the Ferguson family the comforting rites and prayers that help a person spiritually prepare for the final journey. It is narrated by the English actress Vanessa Redgrave. https://www.artofdyingwell.org/
- Catholic Care – A charity in Leeds Diocese which supports children, families and vulnerable adults through challenging situations. They run a children’s home and wellbeing services in schools. http://www.catholic-care.org.uk/services/children-young-peoples-services/
- Catholic Children’s Society (CCS) – Through their ConnectEd scheme, they provide counselling and therapy services to support the mental health and emotional wellbeing of thousands of children each year. These services are based on-site in over 70 primary, secondary and special schools. They also provide mental health training for school staff: https://www.cathchild.org.uk/connected/
- Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society (BCCS) - BCCS is an established and reputable children's charity delivering vital mental health and emotional wellbeing services in schools across Essex and East London. https://www.bccs.org.uk/ - They have a selection of resources including ‘Mindfulness Resources’ https://www.bccs.org.uk/our-stories/mindfulness-resources
- Faith in Families – This charity based in Nottingham has a team of school social workers that visit schools and help children and families cope with social and psychological problems that may arise at school, at home, or in the larger community. https://faithinfamilies.org/
- Rainbows - Not-for-profit international organization in Hallam Diocese, offering training and programmes for establishing peer support groups in communities, schools, churches, and social agencies. The programmes are available to children, young people and adults of all ages who are grieving a death, family change or any other significant loss. https://rainbowsgb.org/
Diocesan Youth Service Resources
- Birmingham Catholic Youth Service – They have a chaplaincy resource library which includes therapeutic resources including a presentation and article on counselling and theology for young people. http://www.kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk/ymresources-906795-297135.html
- Nottingham Diocesan Catholic Youth Service – They have a resource section on their website that includes various meditations on well-known prayers such as the Our Father and Hail Mary and a video on how to pray the rosary. https://ndcys.com/category/resources/
- Lancaster Youth Service – Their Youth Retreat Centre, Castlerigg has a page sharing inspiring stories from young people on how their faith has helped them and how no one is alone. https://www.castleriggmanor.co.uk/faith-life
- Westminster Youth Ministry – They have some resources on breathing exercises before prayer, meditations and guided reflections on scripture. https://dowym.com/resources/
- St Cassians (Kintbury) Youth Retreat Centre – They have a webpage dedicated to mental health resources and activities. https://www.thekintburyexperience.com/lessons-and-activities.html
- Brentwood Catholic Youth Service – They have a page dedicated to sharing resources on mental health support services in partnership with the Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society. https://bcys.net/resource-category/wellbeing/
Statement on the re-opening of Catholic Schools
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service commented: “Catholic schools have a particular care for the poorest and most vulnerable in society, and are rightly concerned about the effects of a prolonged absence from school for these and other children. Many Catholic schools are therefore already planning for opening in a safe and sustainable manner as soon as conditions allow it.
“The COVID-19 crisis has presented schools with an unprecedented challenge and in Catholic schools, school leaders, teachers and support staff have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Any phased reopening must place the safety, health and well-being of pupils and staff as its number one priority and should be done in close collaboration with dioceses and local authorities.
“In this respect, schools must be provided with clear information, proper support and enough time to plan and make thorough risk assessments, before they make the final decision to re-open. The CES remains committed to working with the Government to ensure that these key elements of support are put in place for dioceses and governing bodies.
“With pupils having missed a significant part of the school year, parents need to know that, as we slowly return to some semblance of normality, Catholic schools will be able to provide the pastoral, educational and spiritual support that are so needed in these challenging times.”
ENDS
Relationship and Sex Education (RSE)
Catholic schools, like all other schools in England, are required to produce a written policy following the guidance issued by the Department for Education on Relationships education, relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education. The DfE guidance can be found here. Catholic schools are also required to deliver RSE in accordance with the teaching of the Church. This approach is compatible with the guidance issued by the DfE.
Why is RSE in Catholic Schools important?
RSE is part of the mission of Catholic schools to educate the whole person. It should be carried out as part of the holistic education which seeks to form as well as inform young people in preparation for adult life.
What does outstanding RSE in Catholic school look like?
In order for Catholic RSE to be fully effective it needs to:
- Be faithful to the Church's vision of human wholeness whilst recognising the contemporary context in which we live today;
- Involve parents as they are primary educators of their child;
- Provide a positive view of human sexuality and dignity of the human person;
- Equip young people with the ability to make practical judgments about the right thing to do in particular circumstances;
- Explore and promote virtues which are essential to promoting respect and dignity;
- Be delivered in an age appropriate way which reflects the development of the child;
- Be part of the cross-curricular work in both primary and secondary schools;
- Be sensitive to the needs of the individual pupil and recognise the mix of pupils with different sexual orientations, genders and family backgrounds in each class;
- Be taken seriously by governors and teachers as an integrated part of the broad and balanced curriculum that Catholic schools offer;
- Be delivered by competent professionals who understand the Church's teaching.
Online training for Catholic RSE
This training is FREE and can be acessed by clicking here.
The online course provides training for teachers in Catholic primary and secondary schools on the new statutory RSHE (Relationship, Sex and Health Education) curriculum.
The training is suitable for Headteachers, SLT, Governors, class teachers and parents.
Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales RSE Documents
The Bishops’ Conference Department of Catholic Education and Formation have produced two documents (Learning to Love and Relationship and Sex Education in Catholic Schools) to assist parents and schools in the delivery of high-quality Catholic Relationship and Sex Education.
Parents are the primary educators of their children, especially when it comes to sensitive topics such as RSE. Therefore, Catholic schools must collaborate extremely closely with parents to ensure RSE is delivered in an appropriate way.
These documents will assist in this essential dialogue, informing parents as to why the Bishops consider RSE to be an essential part of the formation of the whole child and how it can be delivered in a manner authentic to Church teaching.
Resources for Catholic RSE
The Bishops on the CES management committee have approved the following Catholic RSE resources for use in Catholic schools. These resources have been developed using expertise of teachers who deliver RSE and PSHE in a Catholic context. The resources are available to download below. They include:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Welsh Catholic school heads unite to oppose RE changes
The headteacher of every Catholic school in Wales has written to the First Minister asking him to rethink his Government’s proposed changes to Religious Education.
The headteachers of more than 80 Welsh Catholic schools have signed a joint letter asking the Rt Hon Mark Drakeford MS, to stop the proposed legislation surrounding RE which specifically targets the Catholic ethos of their schools.
With the plans uniquely affecting their schools, the headteachers have taken the unprecedented step of collectively asking for reassurance that it is not the Government’s specific intention to damage Catholic schools.
The Welsh Government plans to expand the scope of traditional RE to ‘Religion Values and Ethics’, removing the academic rigor of the subject and reducing it to an over-simplistic comparison exercise which fails to understand the fundamentals of faith and religion.
The new proposals, published in May, specifically penalise Catholic schools, placing additional and unreasonable legal requirements on them that no other schools have to satisfy, specifically forcing them to teach two separate RE curriculums without any consideration of resourcing impactions this would have for schools.
In their letter, the headteachers state that the proposed changes to RE fail to recognise the heritage and deep connection Religious Education has within church schools, including Catholic schools, which dedicate 10% of curriculum time to the subject.
They go on to say the Welsh Government’s desire to create a so-called ‘neutral values’ curriculum risks moving towards a homogeneous education system which would no longer recognise children’s legal right to pursue a deep knowledge and spiritual understanding of their own faith as well as those of others.
Prior to the proposed legislation, a majority of respondents to the Government’s consultation said they were against the name change of RE and that they supported the continuation of parents’ rights to withdraw their children from RE. On both of these, the Welsh Government have ignored popular opinion.
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service, which represents Catholic schools in Wales, commented: “I hope this letter from all of the headteachers makes the Welsh Government realise the overwhelming strength of feeling against these proposals to the Catholic community. They strike at the very identity of Catholic schools and at the heart of the principle that that parents, and not the State, are the primary and principal educators of their children.”
Notes to Editors
- The full letter can be read here
- The Catholic Church is Wales comprises of three dioceses; the Diocese of Wrexham, the Diocese of Menevia and the Archdiocese of Cardiff. Collectively they have an estimated Catholic population of over 200,000 people
- There are 84 Catholic schools in Wales, all of which are Voluntary Aided Schools
- Welsh Catholic schools educate almost 28,000 pupils and employ more than 1500 teachers
- 54% of pupils in Welsh Catholic schools are of the Catholic faith
- On 5 May 2020, The Welsh Government opened its ‘Curriculum for Wales: Religion, values and ethics’ consultation. This consultation followed on from a previous consultation (entitled ‘Ensuring Access to the Full Curriculum’) which asked respondents to comment on a number of proposals, including a change of name for Religious Education and the intention to rescind the parental right of withdrawal from the subject in the new curriculum.
- Many teachers and leaders in Catholic schools across Wales responded to the Ensuring Access to the Full Curriculum consultation to oppose the changes, viewing it as an assault on parental rights and on the academic rigour of Religious Education in Catholic schools
- According to the Welsh Government’s analysis of the Ensuring Access to the Full Curriculum consultation, opposition to its proposals came from across the whole sector https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/consultations/2020-01/full-report-ensuring-access-to-the-full-curriculum.pdf
- Despite fervent opposition the Welsh Government has moved to introduce these changes to rename Religious Education to Religion, Values and Ethics in the new curriculum
- Serious concerns were also raised by parents and teachers about the removal of the parental right of withdrawal for RE as it infringed on the core Catholic belief that parents are the primary educators and the legal right of children to receive an upbringing in their faith
- The Welsh Government intends to introduce a Curriculum and Assessment Bill in order to implement these changes
- Concerns have also been raised over the lack of due process and transparency as the Government may publish the Bill before it considers responses to the RVE consultation
- At the time of writing, the CES understands that the Government is not minded to postpone the legislation, regardless of the unforeseen impact of the Covid-19 crisis on schools
ENDS
Welsh Government risks ‘losing the trust of the Catholic community’, CES tells Senedd
The Catholic Education Service has made it clear to the Welsh Government that they risk ‘losing the trust of the Catholic community’ in Wales if they continue with their planned changes to Religious Education in Catholic schools.
Angela Keller, CES Wales Adviser, made these comments while giving evidence to the Senedd’s Children, Young People and Education Committee as it scrutinises the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill.
The Bill has caused alarm among Catholic educators because it penalises Catholic schools, placing additional and unreasonable legal requirements on them that no other schools have to satisfy, specifically forcing them to teach an additional (secular) RE curriculum.
The proposed legislation seeks to change the name of RE to Religion Values and Ethics, something that all those on the evidence panel (which included representatives from the Church in Wales, the RE teaching profession and local government) strongly disagreed with.
In their evidence, the CES highlighted a ‘lack of trust’ between the Welsh Government and Catholic schools, and that the Bill gave the distinct impression to the Catholic community that these changes were needed because something was wrong with Catholic RE in the first place.
The CES also echoed the concerns of all 84 Catholic headteachers in Wales who wrote a joint letter to the First Minister highlighting the damaging impact these proposals would have on Catholic schools.
The evidence session provided the opportunity for the CES to make the case for parents as the primary educators of their children and insisted that the Catholic community would resist the Bill’s proposals to remove parents’ right of withdrawal from both RE and Relationship and Sex Education.
The extreme unfairness of the new proposals, that would allow a non-Catholic parent the right to demand secular RE for their child in a Catholic school, but would not allow a Catholic parent the right to ask for Catholic RE to be given to their child in a secular school, were also pointed out.
After the evidence session (which took place on Thursday 15 October) CES Wales Adviser Angela Keller commented: “Everyone giving evidence represented either a State partner or a member of the RE profession, and each one of us said the Welsh Government was going in the wrong direction.
“It’s hurtful that the Welsh Government appears to see Catholic schools as the problem because we teach Catholic RE. The Welsh Government needs to start trusting Catholic schools and the professionals who work extremely hard in them.”
Notes to Editors
- Further information about the Children, Young People and Education Committee evidence session can be found here: https://business.senedd.wales/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=443&MId=6544&Ver=4
- The Catholic Church is Wales comprises of three dioceses; the Diocese of Wrexham, the Diocese of Menevia and the Archdiocese of Cardiff. Collectively they have an estimated Catholic population of over 200,000 people
- There are 84 Catholic schools in Wales, all of which are Voluntary Aided Schools
- Welsh Catholic schools educate almost 28,000 pupils and employ more than 1500 teachers
- 54% of pupils in Welsh Catholic schools are of the Catholic faith
- On 5 May 2020, The Welsh Government opened its ‘Curriculum for Wales: Religion, values and ethics’ consultation. This consultation followed on from a previous consultation (entitled ‘Ensuring Access to the Full Curriculum’) which asked respondents to comment on a number of proposals, including a change of name for Religious Education and the intention to rescind the parental right of withdrawal from the subject in the new curriculum.
- Many teachers and leaders in Catholic schools across Wales responded to that consultation to oppose the changes, viewing it as an assault on parental rights and on the academic rigour of Religious Education in Catholic schools
- According to the Welsh Government’s own consultation analysis, opposition to its proposals came from across the whole sector https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/consultations/2020-01/full-report-ensuring-access-to-the-full-curriculum.pdf
- Despite fervent opposition the Welsh Government has moved to introduce these changes to rename Religious Education to Religion, Values and Ethics in the new curriculum
- Concerns have also been raised over the lack of due process and transparency as the Government may publish the Bill before it considers responses to the RVE consultation
- The letter from every catholic headteacher to the First Minister can be found here: https://www.catholiceducation.org.uk/component/k2/item/1003692-catholic-school-heads-unite-to-oppose-re-changes
ENDS
Formation in Virtues Resources
Giotto seemed to be saying that as we travel along the way that will lead towards the Last Judgement, we need to deal with the practical business of aiming for these virtues or avoiding these vices.
Bishop Marcus’ Christmas Message to Catholic Schools
BISHOP MARCUS’ CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
With the assurance of my prayers for you all, I remain, yours in Christ Jesus
Marcus Stock
Chairman of Catholic Education Service
Bishop of Leeds
Leading a culture of teacher excellence
By Nigel Genders, Chief Education Officer, Church of England and Paul Barber, Director, Catholic Education Service
Today the Government announces its partner providers for the reformed suite of National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) for teachers and education leaders which launches in the autumn. We are delighted that, among nine national providers, is a new partnership between the Church of England and Catholic Education Service.
The new frameworks for NPQs is an expansive vision for the whole education sector, and we are pleased that the Government has recognised the strengths of our shared vision for children and adults to flourish, and we are enormously excited to be working together at a pivotal moment across the education sector.
Together the Catholic Church and Church of England, run more than a third of all the country’s schools and play a particularly rich role in the wider education landscape. Our delivery of these qualifications will be across all parts of the country, from Northumberland to Cornwall, from Herefordshire to East Anglia. We will be working with a fantastic range of delivery partners – Teaching School Hubs, Multi Academy Trusts and high performing schools – in each region, and we look forward to welcoming many thousands of teachers and leaders onto the suite of NPQ programmes in the coming years.
And our offer is not just for our own schools, but for everyone, with a particular focus on ensuring that rural school leaders can access and benefit from the programmes. At a local level, this will mean exciting new partnerships between schools, MATs and other networks. At a national level, it will enable us to play our full role in investing heavily in the thing we know the evidence shows makes the biggest difference – our core purpose as leaders – leading a culture of teacher excellence.
The new NPQ frameworks are built from a rich, evidence-informed understanding of what works in school leadership, and they create a clear pathway for teachers’ formation over their whole careers. The coherence and clarity of the national roll-out of the Early Career Framework (ECF) reforms, the re-shaping of the Senior Leadership (NPQSL), Headship (NPQH) and Executive Leadership (NPQEL) programmes, and the creation of new specialist qualifications for aspiring school leaders can give us real confidence about a professional development entitlement that works for leaders in all schools – small and large, primary and secondary, rural and urban.
This is a step-change in leadership thinking, which is not seeking simply a more productive workforce, or a deeper academic understanding of research literature. Rather, it is calling back educational leaders to our core purpose – leading a culture of teacher excellence.
Providing these NPQ programmes across the country gives us a unique opportunity to place teacher excellence at the heart of our recovery from the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. This central focus on culture will be key to our delivery, and on every course, every leader will be working closely with an expert coach to explore and plan how to apply knowledge effectively into a variety of contexts.
Whether teaching a mixed-age class in a small rural primary school, or leading a large MAT across a region or nation, our first call in educational leadership is to put teaching first. Although there are many other aspects of our roles, these can sometimes cloud or distract us from this core purpose – to secure the very best teaching experience for every child in our care. And that means leadership built on authenticity, integrity and a renewed sense of vision and purpose.
In 2016, the Church of England published its Vision for Education, articulating a focus on Wisdom, Knowledge & Skills, Hope & Aspiration, Community & Living Well Together and Dignity & Respect. Putting this vision into practice starts with leaders who build a culture of teacher excellence. Similarly, in 2018 the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales commissioned the Formatio initiative to support the development and formation of leaders in Catholic schools. As such it should come as no surprise as to why we are so pleased to be playing our part in the new NPQ landscape.
Creating and sustaining such a culture means we can fully realise our vision for education for every child, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Through pursuing excellence in teaching and working together for the common good, we will be enacting social justice for every community.
COP26: Catholic schools and colleges forming the next generation of stewards of God’s creation
By The Right Reverend Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds, Chair of the Catholic Education Service, and The Right Reverend Bishop John Arnold, Bishop of Salford, Lead Bishop for the Environment
As we near the end of the first week of the COP26 UN climate summit, two Catholic bishops have issued a statement lauding the action and commitment of Catholic school pupils in their response to the ecological crisis.
Bishop Marcus Stock, Chair of the Catholic Education Service, and Bishop John Arnold, Lead Bishop for the Environment, acknowledge that it is young people that will have to live with the long-term impacts of the climate crisis but, equally, they are at the heart of the Church’s response:
“In Laudato Si’ Pope Francis asks us the key question, ‘What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?’ This is a profound question which gets to the heart of why the environmental crisis matters and the pressing need for us as a global community to reverse climate change.
“Ultimately our young people are the future, and it is they that will have to live with the long-term ramifications of the ecological crisis. However, it is also the young who can have the most impact in delivering the changes we need to address the climate emergency. That is why one of the most striking elements of the public’s response to the climate and ecological crisis, especially in the run up to the COP 26, is that it has been energised by the participation of children and young people.
Contemplative, active and prayerful response
“It has been really encouraging to see hundreds of thousands of young Catholics across the country get involved with projects that care for our common home, especially in our network of Catholic schools. We know that our pupils care passionately about this topic and many schools have embedded Pope Francis’ words and intentions from Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti into their wider school curriculum.
"In this way, the response to the ecological crisis by our young people can be both contemplative and active, but also rooted in prayer and in the teachings of the Church.
“Fundamental to Catholic education is the principle of the formation of the whole person and therefore it is right that Catholic schools are forming the next generation of the stewards of God’s creation.”
‘Proud to call you my partner’ – Education Secretary tells Catholic educators
Speaking to a gathering of Catholic educators in Parliament on Wednesday (23 February), the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Nadim Zahawi MP said he was ‘proud to call’ the Catholic Church a ‘partner’ in the provision of education.
The event was hosted by Conservative MP Mary Robinson and was celebrating the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Catholic Education Service (CES).
To mark the occasion the CES also used the opportunity to launch a new publication entitled Catholic Schools: Partners in Formation. The book gives a brief overview of the history of Catholic education in England and Wales as well as a reflection on why the Church continues to provide Catholic schools with their distinct ethos.
A copy of the book was presented to the Secretary of State by the Rt Rev Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds and Chairman of the Catholic Education Service.
The event was attended by more than 100 guests including representatives from Dioceses, Catholic universities, and other Catholic educational institutions.
Also in attendance was Amanda Spielman, Chief inspector of Ofsted, the Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel De Souza, representatives from the DfE, MPs (including the Rt Hon Jacob Rees Mogg) and members of the House of Lords.
In his speech to the assembled guests Bishop Marcus Stock said: “When it comes to being partners, the Catholic Church was the first provider of schools in England.
“Today with 2,200 schools, 850,000 pupils and 50,000 members of staff, and four universities, it is the second-largest provider of education in our country. This is an incredible achievement, and represents one of the most successful Government partnerships, in the delivery of such an essential service as education and schooling.”
Responding to the bishop in his speech the Rt Hon Nadim Zahawi MP said: “I am extremely grateful to be given an opportunity to speak to you all in person at this important event to celebrate 175 years of the Catholic Education Service.
“175 years is a significant achievement, so I just want to thank everyone in the room, and of course colleagues here who are so supportive of this extraordinary human endeavour and recognise the incredible valuable work that you do and have done and continue to on behalf of so many young people and staff in school across our country.
“You deserve high praise, since many of your schools serve some of our most diverse and disadvantaged communities where the challenges include reaching out to those families where neither parent may be in work or those for whom English is a second language - as it was for this Secretary of State.”
The Secretary of State concluded his speech by saying, in reference to the Catholic Church’s historic roll as a provider of schools that he was “proud to call [the Church] my partner”.
Pictured are The Rt Rev Marcus Stock, the Rt Hon Nadim Zahawi, and Mr Paul Barber (CES Director)
Statement on the incident at the John Fisher School, Purley
“Catholic schools welcome pupils from all backgrounds. This isolated incident has given a false impression of the inclusive nature of Catholic schools.
"Catholic schools are places where all children can flourish and as such have a zero-tolerance approach to LGBT+ discrimination. Nationally the CES has worked closely with schools, dioceses, and charities to produce Catholic inclusivity guidance and resources for schools that have won acclaim from LGBT+ organisations.
"We would encourage Catholic schools to work closely with their diocese to ensure that all Catholic schools can be welcoming and inclusive centres of learning where everyone is respected as a human being made in the image and likeness of God.”
Update: statement from the Archdiocese of Southwark
“At the heart of every Catholic school sits the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
"We expect all Catholic schools to remain faithful to the Church’s teaching on the truth and dignity of the human person. This teaching should never give cause to foster a culture of bigotry or intolerance.
"In fact, hatred and discrimination is itself contrary to Church teaching as it fundamentally disrespects the God-given dignity of each human life.
"Any impression that the John Fisher school is anything other than an inclusive centre of learning that allows young people to flourish is deeply regrettable. The Archdiocese acted to ensure the material put in front of the children was age-appropriate.
"We are continuing to work with the John Fisher School moving forward.”
Statement on the Government White Paper
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service said: “As the country’s second largest provider of schools and as a long-standing Government partner in the provision of education, we welcome the principles set out in today’s white paper.
“This country has a strong tradition of providing a dual system of both State and Church maintained schools. This approach has for generations provided parents, who are the primary educators of their children, with genuine choice in the education system. We therefore look forward to working with the Government to ensure that the continuation of this dual system is a core part of any future legislation.
“Furthermore, we also look forward to working with our partners in the Department for Education to ensure that the legal structures outlined in the white paper are fit for purpose for England’s 2000 Catholic schools.”
Holy Father receives milestone booklet on Catholic schools in England and Wales
Marking the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Catholic Education Service (CES), Pope Francis has gratefully received a copy of the CES’s latest publication Catholic Schools: Partners in Formation.
The booklet – which includes an overview of Catholic schools in England and Wales – reflects on the distinctive nature of Catholic schools and on why the Church provides them.
It was presented to the Holy Father in the Vatican by CES Director Paul Barber, in his capacity as President of L’Office International Enseignement Catholique (OIEC).
The booklet has already received warm welcome by UK Parliamentarians earlier in the year, at an event which saw the guest of honour, Education Secretary the Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi, recognise the tremendous value of Catholic education across the country.
The chapters are illustrated with case studies of schools, teachers, parents, and alumni, which offer compelling testimonials of the Catholic ethos in action. In the famous words of Pope Francis, which the case studies testify to, “educating is an act of love; it is like giving life”.
Paul Barber, CES Director, said: “It was an honour to share the milestone of the 175th anniversary of the CES with the Holy Father, who understands the crucial presence and distinctive nature of Catholic schools. The testimonials contained within this booklet offer a small glimpse into the many good fruits of the Catholic ethos in schools in England and Wales, which we hope he will enjoy reading.”
The Catholic Church is currently the second-largest provider of education in England and Wales, with 2,200 schools, 850,000 pupils and 50,000 members of staff, and four universities. Educating more than a quarter of a million non-Catholics and with a pupil population significantly more ethnically and socially diverse than the national average, Catholic schools maintain their strong track record of being at the service of all.
The booklet concludes with an optimistic outlook for Catholic schools in England and Wales, for their next 175 years of forming well-rounded young people and contributing the highest standard of virtues-based education to the common good.
School Assembly ‘Celebrating Family Love’
Pope Francis invites us all to join in the celebration of the World Meeting of Families, which is taking place in Rome on the 22 to 26 June this year. To help your school join in this important celebration, Cardiff Archdiocese have developed the Celebrating Family Love School Assembly resource below.
There is both a primary and secondary version of the assembly, along with a free resource pack to help with your celebrations. This pack includes a range of display materials, ideas and resources to help your school to join in with the World Meeting of Family celebrations.
These animated video assemblies include a range of guest speakers, reflections and prayers, and will be the perfect resource to use with your students to help them to reflect on the theme of family love, and think about what they can do to celebrate family life in the home, school and parish. We encourage you to use them around the 22 to 26 June this year, as the World Meeting of Families celebration is taking place in Rome, and to take photos of any actions you take, and tag them #WMOF22 and #RomeAtHome.
For further information, please contact Joanne White atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Primary assembly:
Download a copy of the primary assembly.
Secondary assembly:
Download a copy of the secondary assembly.
Education Sunday
Education Sunday falls on the second Sunday of September (10 September, in 2023) just as the new academic year starts and is one of the oldest Days of Special Prayer in England and Wales, established 175 years ago in 1848. It provides an opportunity to celebrate and give thanks to all involved in making Catholic schools places of enlightenment, as well as to look forward in anticipation of the year ahead.
To help celebrate, the CES has provided a range of resources, downloadable at the bottom of this page:
- Guidance for schools and parishes
- A prayer card, offering a prayer of thanksgiving for teachers
- A collection of suggested bidding prayers for school Masses
- A letter of support from Bishop Marcus Stock, CES Chairman
This year Ten Ten Resources has kindly created free materials for primary and secondary schools and parishes, featuring short videos with words of encouragement to staff and students from Bishop Marcus Stock.
Churches Together In England has also produced some downloadable ecumenical resources for Education Sunday.
Education Sunday - 11 September 2022
The focus of this year's Education Sunday is 'enlightening the mind', based on the Gospel acclamation of 11 September, when it will take place. Education Sunday aptly falls on the second Sunday of September just as the new academic year starts and it is one of the oldest Days of Special Prayer in England and Wales. It provides an opportunity to celebrate and give thanks to all involved in making Catholic schools places of enlightenment, as well as to look forward in anticipation of the year ahead.
To help you celebrate, the Catholic Education Service is again providing a range of resources.
The resources include:
- Guidance for schools and parishes
- A prayer card, offering a prayer of thanksgiving for teachers
- A collection of suggested bidding prayers for school Masses
- A letter of recognition by Bishop Marcus Stock
Churches Together in England produces its own resources for Education Sunday.
We wish you a blessed and fruitful Education Sunday!
Bishop Alan blesses new Peterborough school
St John Henry Newman Catholic Primary School and Nursery, in Hampton Water, Peterborough, has been blessed by Bishop Alan Hopes during a visit to the first new Catholic school to be opened in the whole country in more than a decade.
Bishop Alan visited on September 14 to meet staff and pupils and to formally bless the school, which opened earlier in September with more than 50 nursery, reception, year 1 and 2 children already enrolled.
Once full, it can accommodate 630 children in 21 classrooms, making it the biggest Catholic Primary School in East Anglia.
Mark Cooper, head teacher at St John Henry Newman, said: “After many months, planning and preparing, we are delighted to welcome our first cohorts of Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children to our school.
“The staff have worked incredibly hard over the summer to prepare the school for our children and the school is looking amazing. We are now excited to begin the children’s learning journey with us.
“It was fantastic to mark the opening of the school with Bishop Alan blessing our lovely school building. To have all of our children and staff together with people who have helped so much on the journey of our school development project was a very special moment.”
Flavio Vettese, Chair of Governors, said: “On behalf of the Governing Body of the school, I would sincerely like to thank Councillor Lynne Ayers for her tremendous support for the school, and I am delighted that she joined us today, and indeed will in the future, to witness the growth of the school. Our gratitude is also extended to Bishop Alan Hopes for his vision, commitment and inspiration to us all throughout the journey – he will always be a guiding light for us all.
“I am also grateful to our Headteacher Mark Cooper – he has already shown his commitment and dedication, and his experience and knowledge will ensure that St John Henry Newman will be an outstanding Catholic school.”
Visit the St John Henry Newman Catholic Primary School and Nursery website.
Pictured are pupils at St John Henry Newman School with Bishop Alan, Mark Cooper and their teachers - view a picture gallery of the blessing. Credit: Keith Morris/rcdea.org.uk
Rigorous new National Inspection Framework takes effect in Catholic schools
The Catholic Schools Inspectorate (CSI), which brings together the diocesan school inspectors of England and Wales into one body, recently started its inaugural work of inspecting Catholic schools.
It acts under the new National Inspection Framework which was agreed by the Bishops earlier this year.
The CSI and National Inspection Framework have been developed with the support of the Catholic Education Service (CES) and the National Board of Religious Inspectors and Advisors (NBRIA).
Catholic schools have been subject to inspection frameworks set by the Bishops ever since the Catholic dioceses were first restored in 1848.
The CSI and new National Inspection Framework aim to improve the rigour, consistency, objectivity, oversight, and accountability of inspections.
The CSI logo takes as its logo the bishop's crosier, which is a symbol of his pastoral office. Inspection is one of the ways the bishop acts as a 'good shepherd' to his schools.
The different parts of the crosier have traditionally been interpreted in ways that reflect the ways this care will be evident in the inspection process. The curve of the crosier directs the straying back onto the right path; the pointy end prods those who are stuck and prompts them to get moving; and the bar between the two supports all the rest.
Pupils, parents, teachers, inspectors, and generations to come will benefit from the CSI and the new framework which advance the Catholic mission of Catholic schools.
Advent message from Bishop Marcus to schools
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
At this time of year, both the liturgy of Advent and the winter season bring thoughts and feelings of anticipation and longing. These changes in mood are beautifully brought to life in song both sacred and secular, and in celebration when families, friends, schools and parishes come together in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ at Christmas and the beginning of a new year.
As this school term draws to its close, I would like to offer my thanks to leaders, teachers, learning assistants, chaplains and all staff who work in our diocesan schools and colleges. It is the love and commitment lived out in your vocation as educators that makes a Catholic school a place where children and young people can learn and flourish, be formed in Gospel values and grow in Christian virtues.
I wish to thank governors and trust boards, for their dedication in providing the stewardship and care of our school and college communities. Without your diligent assistance and the precious gift of your time, our schools and colleges would not have proved so resilient during the adversities of these past few years, nor be as well placed to meet the challenges which confront us now and lay ahead.
My heart feels a deep gratitude also to parents, guardians and families for all the support which you give to the schools and colleges entrusted with the education, welfare and spiritual development of your children. Schools can only build on what children learn in their homes. It is the love, reassurance and encouragement that you give to your children which makes you their first and best teachers, and it is the personal example of goodness that you give to them daily in their life at home which provides them with their first and best school.
During these joyous Advent and Christmas seasons, may Almighty God bless you, your families and loved ones, and keep you safe throughout the Year of Our Lord 2023.
With the assurance of my prayers for you all, I remain,
Yours in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rt Rev Marcus Stock
Chair of the Catholic Education Service
Bishop of Leeds
Statement on the Government not proceeding with the Schools Bill
Paul Barber, Director of the CES said, "We are disappointed that the Government hasn't proceeded with the Schools Bill in it's current form. It would have provided a clear message from Government that Church schools are an important part of the school system as schools move towards a multi-academy trust model.
"The Schools Bill would have provided legislative protections for Church schools which currently exist in the maintained sector but are not currently in legislation for academies.
"We welcome the assurances from the Secretary of State for Education that the Government is committed to legislating to provide equivalent statutory protections for academies with a religious character as exist for maintained schools in the areas of governance, RE and collective worship and land."
The God Who Speaks education resources
The God Who Speaks is an initiative of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales in partnership with the Bible Society. Its purpose is to encourage and help all Catholics to engage more deeply with the scriptures, as Pope Francis has asked, and focuses on celebrating, living and sharing God’s word throughout all dioceses. There are a range of free classroom resources for primary and secondary schools available, including activity sheets, posters, Powerpoints and more.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Requiescat in pace
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, speaking shortly after the Requiem Mass in St Peter’s Square for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, described the funeral as in one way “a straightforward celebration of a Funeral Mass,” in another way, a uniquely historical event “of great emotional depth and stature.”
The Requiem Mass, presided over by Benedict’s successor Pope Francis, took place on Thursday morning, 5 January, after almost 200,000 pilgrims had paid their final respects to the Pope Emeritus during a period of his lying in state for the previous three days.
Cardinal Nichols said he was collecting his memories of Pope Benedict during the Mass and considered his last homily before retiring as pope.
In it, Benedict used the image of Jesus asleep in the back of the boat when the storm came on the Sea of Galilee and the disciples were frightened.
The Cardinal repeated Archbishop Georg Gänswein’s recollections:
“He said, Benedict used to say, ‘but now Jesus never sleeps and he’s always with us.’ So during the Mass I was thinking about those things and, quite simply, how lovable Benedict was and therefore thanking God for the gifts that He gave us through him.”
The Bishops' Conference of England and Wales website has further details on the life of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, including of his Papal Visit to the UK in 2010, as well as reflections on his funeral, Pope Francis' homily, and prayers prepared by the Liturgy Office.
Columban Schools Competition: Building Peaceful Futures
Only five weeks remain for submissions to the 2023 Schools Competition of the Columban Missionaries in Britain – this year’s contest is titled Building Peaceful Futures, with the deadline for entries being 10 February.
The competition, which launched last September, is aimed at students aged 13-18 years old, who are invited to demonstrate an awareness of conflict and peacemaking in the world through either a written article or an original image. Students are being asked to research and spotlight people, communities and / or organisations trying to make the world a better place.
On 5 December Pope Francis tweeted: “The Word of God plunges us into daily life and calls us to listen to the cry of the poor and to heed the violence and injustice that wound our world. It challenges Christians not to be indifferent, but to be active, creative and prophetic.”
One of the competition judges is Columban Justice and Peace Education Worker in Britain, James Trewby, who visits young people in schools and sixth forms and runs workshops, retreats and assemblies to promote justice, peace and the integrity of creation.
He said: “There is much conflict in the world at the moment, but we mustn’t lose sight of the fact there are also many initiatives designed to build bridges and promote peace too! The Columbans are keen to nurture the student voice and provide an opportunity for young people to explore these areas and determine their own thoughts on conflict and whether it is inevitable. Besides this we want to ascertain young people’s understanding of peacebuilding, how and where it’s taking place and how faith can play a part.”
The competition winners will receive cash prizes worth up to £300, with other judges including journalists such as Ruth Gledhill of The Tablet and Josephine Siedlecka of Independent Catholic News. Winning entries will be published in the Columbans’ Far East magazine, Vocation for Justice newsletter, Columban websites and social media and in other Catholic media.
A core aspect of Columban mission is justice, peace and ecology. Besides being members of Pax Christi International, the Catholic Church’s peace organisation, Columbans also support the National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales. Irish Columban Fr Pat Cunningham, who works in South Korea and is also a judge, is active with the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative and a campaign in Korea to protest the militarisation of the beautiful Korean island of Jeju.
Another judge, Fr Kurt Zion Pala, is a Filipino Columban priest working in Myanmar, a country ruled by a military dictatorship. He particularly mentors young people in environmental education and action.
Teachers and students will find the Columban Competition website a useful resource. It includes information on the theme, an introductory video, examples of Columbans and others dedicated to building peace throughout the world, as well as Catholic Social Teaching on the theme of peace. There are also details on submission of entries and a helpful FAQ page. The website provides material suitable for students, teachers and parents.
This is the sixth annual such schools competition from the Columban Missionaries in Britain, with previous themes including migrants, climate change, racism, throwaway culture and 21st century changemakers.
Wales: Catholic school pupils much more diverse than national average – new data
Pupils in Welsh Catholic schools are significantly more diverse than the national average, according to the latest data.
More than 30% of pupils in Wales’s 82 Catholic state-funded primaries and secondaries are from an ethnic minority background, compared to 12.5% in all other schools.
Catholic schools in Wales also have more than four times as many black pupils, with 4.5% of the 28,176 pupils being Black or Black British, compared to 1.1% in all Welsh schools.
There is also more than twice the proportion of pupils from an Asian or Asian British background (6%), compared to 2.6% in other schools.
Just over half (50.3%) of pupils in the sector are Catholic, as are 43.6% of the 1,644 teachers employed.
A total of 73.4% of pupils in Welsh Catholic schools are Christians, and 80% are from a faith background. Of the 13,992 non-Catholic pupils, 46% of these are from other Christian denominations, 36.8% have no religion, and 5.7% are Muslims.
The figures come from the annual census of Catholic schools conducted by the Catholic Education Service (CES), which acts on behalf of the Catholic Bishops' Conference and has supported Catholic education since 1847.
Angela Keller, CES Wales Adviser, said: “Catholic schools are leading the way on diversity in Wales, with parents and pupils of other faiths and none valuing this as well as our distinctive ethos.
“The Welsh government has made closing the disadvantage gap within education a priority - this too has always been our mission.”
Catholic schools make up 6% of the national total of maintained schools across Wales.
Read the report on schools and colleges in Wales – text also available in English.
England: Catholic school pupils much more diverse than national average – new data
Pupils in Catholic schools and academies are significantly more diverse than the England average, according to the latest data.
Overall, 44% of pupils at Catholic state-funded primaries and secondaries are from an ethnic minority background, compared to 36% nationally.
A total of 11.4% of the 820,994 pupils in England’s 2,090 Catholic schools and academies are either Black or Black British, compared to 5.8% nationally. The percentage of black teachers is also slightly higher, at 2.6%, above a national average of 2.4%.
There are more than three times the proportion of White Irish pupils (1%) than in other state-funded schools and academies (0.3%).
Sixty per cent of pupils in Catholic schools and academies are Catholic, as are just under half of the 47,662 teachers employed. Of the 316,070 non-Catholic pupils, just under half are from other Christian denominations. The largest non-Christian religion represented is Islam, with more than 34,000 Muslim pupils.
Only 0.03% of all pupils, or just 277 of them, in Catholic schools across England are withdrawn from acts of collective worship such as Mass and prayers in assemblies.
The figures come from the annual census of Catholic schools and academies conducted by the Catholic Education Service (CES), which acts on behalf of the Catholic Bishops' Conference and has supported Catholic education since 1847.
Paul Barber, CES Director, said: “Catholic schools have led the way on diversity since the nineteenth century, when many were established to meet the needs of immigrants from Ireland.
“Today they outperform national GCSE averages for English and Maths by five percentage points, with more pupils from the most deprived areas, and from ethnic minorities. Parents and pupils of other faiths and none rightly value this success and the distinctive, all-inclusive ethos of Catholic education.”
Due to a 50% admissions cap for new religious schools, only two new Catholic ones have been built in England since 2010. The cap means a new Catholic school could be put in the position of turning away a pupil for being a Catholic, which is against canon law.
Catholic schools continue to convert into becoming Catholic academies, with a 17% increase in the past year. There are now 814 Catholic academies in England, run by 77 multi-academy trusts.
Altogether, Catholic schools and academies make up 9% of the national total of the state-funded sector, making the Catholic Church the biggest provider of secondary education and the second-largest provider of primary education overall.
New Religious Education Directory launched by CES
A new Religious Education (RE) Directory for Catholic schools, colleges and academies in England and Wales has been launched at an event in Westminster.
The directory was introduced at Cathedral View on 25 January by speakers including Dr Margaret Carswell, Senior Lecturer at the Australian Catholic University; Baroness Barran MBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education; the Rt Rev Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds and Chairman of the Catholic Education Service (CES); and Paul Barber, CES Director.
Titled To Know You More Clearly the directory sets out the purpose of RE from Early Years Foundation Stage to Year 9 and features a programme of study with a model curriculum, corresponding to the six half-terms of the school year.
The new directory replaces previous editions published in 1996 and 2012, and states that RE is to be taught for at least 10% of curriculum time up to age 16 in Catholic schools and academies, and 5% in sixth forms.
It was drafted by experts including the late Professor Anthony Towey, Head of Theology, Philosophy and History at St Mary’s University; CES Religious Education Adviser Philip Robinson; Senior Policy and Education Adviser Dr Nancy Walbank; and representatives of the Association of Teachers of Catholic Religious Education and the National Board of Religious Inspectors and Advisers.
Based on the constitutions of the Second Vatican Council and rooted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the objective of the curriculum is religiously literate and engaged young people, with the knowledge, understanding and skills to reflect spiritually, think ethically and theologically, and recognise the demands of religious commitment in everyday life.
In his preface, Bishop Marcus writes: “As well as seeking to assist parents with the education and religious formation of their children, Catholic schools strive also to be of service to society. Religious education plays its part in this endeavour by enabling all pupils to be confident and secure in their religious faith and knowledgeable and respectful of other religions, and so play a crucial role in building a cohesive society.
“This new edition of the Religious Education Directory strives to embody these inspiring objectives.”
Baroness Barran thanked those present and highlighted “the important role Catholic schools, and schools with a religious character more generally, play in giving children a moral compass, guiding them with values that will be integral not only through their school journey, but beyond that into adulthood, into the workforce and into society.”
Other attendees at the launch included Schools Commissioners from the Catholic dioceses; and representatives from the Church of England Education Office; Board of Deputies of British Jews; Religious Education Council; National Association of Standing Advisory Councils of Religious Education; Culham St Gabriels; Catholic Union; and from the London Jesuit Centre.
While nurturing the faith of Catholic pupils, the curriculum prepares all pupils to play their part as critical citizens in a plural and diverse culture. It develops in them a dialogical attitude, through the content that is presented and through the modelling of respectful dialogue in class, a particularly powerful witness in a context where social media has had such a detrimental impact on the civility of public discourse.
Topics covered include the relationship between faith and science; the problem of evil; nature of human freedom; rights of the unborn; plight of refugees and asylum seekers; war and peace.
There is also a focus on the beauty of Catholicism and its influence on culture through art, music, literature, science, and architecture, equipping young people to engage with the Church beyond intellectual remits, and approach the transcendent.
A series of training workshops on the directory and model curriculum for dioceses are also being planned to take place throughout the year.
Catholic schools come top for GCSE RE exam results - data
Catholic schools’ GCSE Religious Education (RE) exam results are the best in the country, according to the latest data.
Analysis by the Catholic Education Service (CES) of GCSE RE attainment for 2022 has shown that results from Catholic schools have overtaken the national average for the exams.
Last year 75.2% of Catholic school RE GCSE candidates scored a C+ or grade 4, compared to 68.3% nationally.
The results at A Level were more comparable, however, with 66.9% achieving A* or B in Catholic schools, compared to 67.7% in all schools.
Just over a quarter (25.6%) of all pupils who sat GCSE RE exams last year were from Catholic schools, while the proportion was 9.8% at A Level.
Across England and Wales there are 2,175 Catholic schools, colleges and academies, which educate more than 849,000 pupils.
This represents 9% of the state sector in England and 6% in Wales.
Philip Robinson, CES RE Adviser, said: “This is good news, and testament to the hard work of RE teachers and students in Catholic education.
In a society both increasingly secular and religiously pluralistic, RE has an essential role in enabling respectful dialogue on contentious issues like faith and science; refugees and asylum seekers; war and peace.”
The CES has recently launched a new RE Directory, for introduction from 2025 – find out more.
Catholic universities respond to post-pandemic alienation, injustice and market economics
Rehumanising a world of post-pandemic volatility is a theme running through a new, free online lecture series from a Catholic university.
Beyond The Dark Clouds, hosted by Leeds Trinity University from April to November, sees 12 lectures from UK and international contributors including a former government minister, centred around justice in contested issues such as the police, law enforcement, business ethics, spirituality, the arts and more.
The title is drawn from ‘dark clouds over a closed world’, a phrase used by Pope Francis in his 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti. In this the Pope refers to the ‘desensitised human conscience’ as among the chief causes of global crises, that “local conflicts and disregard for the common good are exploited by the global economy in order to impose a single cultural model...the advance of this kind of globalism strengthens the identity of the more powerful.”
Positioning Catholic higher education as a platform to return religious tradition and thought to public debate, the series features talks on policing, from the internationally renowned Dr Tobias Winright, Professor of Moral Theology at St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Ireland, and from former Chief Superintendent Tony Blockley, now Head of Criminology and Policing at Leeds Trinity University.
Economics, justice and Catholic social teaching are addressed by Philip Booth, Professor of Public Policy at St Mary’s University; and former Labour government Trade and Industry, and Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs minister, Sir John Battle, discusses the Church in the wider, secular, world.
Each lecture is recorded and then uploaded as a podcast to both Spotify and Apple.
Professor Charles Egbu, Vice Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, said: “We are pleased to have the participation of such a prestigious line-up of speakers for our lecture series, and look forward to discussing some key social issues affecting communities today and how the Catholic university can be a vehicle for change and progress.”
Dr Ann Marie Mealy, Director of Catholic Mission at Leeds Trinity University, said: “Much of the suffering and alienation that people felt during lockdown has not yet been acknowledged fully or discussed openly, and we should acknowledge the need for healing more.
“Many of us at Leeds Trinity share the Church’s desire to get involved in public discussions about how to humanise our world, and to bring about the conditions that enable the flourishing of all individuals and groups – please join us.”
Find out more - to register for attendance, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Easter message from Bishop Marcus to schools
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
At this stage in the calendar, when we draw close to the summit of the Liturgical Year - the Sacred Paschal Triduum, we celebrate with reverence the passion and death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and we look forward with joy to celebrating at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night and on Easter Sunday morning his resurrection from the dead.
As we come to the end of this term, it is also a time for many students in our schools which coincides with an intense period of study in preparation for examinations in the summer. For young people, it is a time of hope but it can be a time of anxiety also. What is most important though, is that their time in school is a time when they can flourish: in mind, body and spirit. Christ came that we might have life and have it to the full. The flourishing of young lives through Catholic education is indebted to the years of dedication and commitment given by school leaders, teachers, learning assistants, chaplains and by all the staff and governors of our schools.
On the threshold of Holy Week, we catch sight of the new life in Christ which his death and resurrection holds out to us and to the world. It is a vision which we glimpse in the prayers and liturgy taking place in schools and churches up and down the land.
I give thanks to Almighty God for the noble vocation of all of you who work and serve in our schools. I pray that you, your families and your loved ones will receive many blessings from the Lord during this great Solemn Feast of Easter, and that it will be a time of joy and thanksgiving for you all.
With the assurance of my prayers, I remain,
Your servant in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rt Rev Marcus Stock
Chair of the Catholic Education Service
Bishop of Leeds
Pax Christi education resources
Pax Christi is a membership organisation of individuals, families, communities and parishes which supports teachers, chaplains and youth workers in promoting a culture of peace in schools and amongst young people. The National President of Pax Christi is the Most Rev. Malcolm McMahon OP, Archbishop of Liverpool.
CES statement on The Bloom Review: does government ‘do God’?
Amid a national Religious Education (RE) teacher shortage we welcome The Bloom Review and its clear evidence that RE is vital for children and young people to learn.
RE is the core of the core curriculum and Catholic schools dedicate at least 10% of the timetable to this essential subject, while the Church’s RE curriculum and inspection framework are recognised as models of best practice.
There are 2,175 Catholic schools, colleges and academies across England and Wales, representing just under 10% of state education. Catholic pupils achieve the highest GCSE RE results in the country, and represent a quarter of all entrants. The past year has seen the launch of a new RE curriculum and national inspection framework to ensure that the quality of RE in all Catholic schools remains high. We are happy to share our Catholic approach to ensuring high quality RE to help improve RE teaching as a whole.
The Catholic Education Service is committed to continued working with the Government in support of Catholic education, high-quality RE and increased religious literacy in the Government and the wider public sector.
‘Wherever you are you must give more than you get’: Professor Charles Egbu, Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, on Catholic higher education
As one of England’s four Catholic universities, Leeds Trinity was founded in 1966 originally in the form of two teacher training colleges, run by the Sisters of the Cross and Passion and by a forerunner of the Catholic Education Service.
Professor Charles Egbu was appointed as Vice-Chancellor in 2020, amid new Covid variants, lockdowns, and the widespread adoption of online teaching by universities.
A practising Catholic, he had originally planned to study as a medical doctor, but when his father died he realised he needed to study nearby instead and support his mother and other siblings.
He ended up applying for a course in quantity surveying at what is now Leeds Beckett University, achieving a 1st class Honours degree.
After a stint working on construction sites he returned for a Master’s degree in the built environment, then a PhD in construction management at Salford University, and over the course of the next two decades ascended to senior leadership positions in various higher education institutions.
The year before his appointment to Leeds Trinity Professor Egbu served as President of the Chartered Institute of Building, and was recently announced as an Honorary Fellow of The Royal Institute of British Architects.
Going digital
He acknowledges the significant changes in higher education that pandemic-led online teaching has brought about, that it has enabled a greater flexibility for personalised learning, at a time and place convenient for example to mature students, that students can in effect be remotely supported wherever they are. However, as universities emerge from the pandemic, this has also meant reintroducing an element of in-person learning.
“We’re now trying to bring them back,” Professor Egbu said, “it’s been challenging for certain of our students, work-based learning students would still want to come in one day a week, though those who have caring responsibilities, caring for the elderly, sick, or disabled, who have childcare issues would want to stay where they are.
“There are a lot of benefits, but also challenges in trying to make sure that students really understand what it is to come in, to understand the culture of the university, and work face-to-face with their peers.”
Diversity in leadership
Three years after his appointment, across UK higher education Professor Egbu remains the only black Vice-Chancellor. He said that while there had been an increase in the proportion of undergraduate students from ethnic minorities in recent decades, for instance increasing 24% to 27% in the five years to 2020, a degree award gap has held steady. He added that more students from ethnic minorities drop out from their courses, and are 13% less likely to achieve a good degree grade than their white counterparts.
He said: “Very few from minority communities get into graduate jobs, and it becomes more telling when you look at senior positions, only 0.7% of professors in the UK are black professors, very few people are able to get into a Dean’s position or Pro-Vice Chancellor. The reason is simple, the pipeline is not coming through, by the time you get into that sphere there are very few black people, and also very few people of disability.
“My university is doing quite a lot because we are a university that believes in social justice, in the issue of recruitment, career promotion, mentoring and coaching, but there’s more that everyone has to do to improve this position.”
Catholic higher education
Leeds Trinity, along with England’s three other Catholic universities, Liverpool Hope, Newman, and St Mary’s, was originally set up to train teachers, especially to teach at schools in less privileged areas.
Today, teachers continue to graduate from the university, while the mission has expanded in the form of the university’s social justice framework, and with the appointment of Dr Ann Marie Mealey in November last year as Director of Catholic Mission. She is devising the university’s Catholic mission strategy based on Catholic social justice and social teaching, and has established initiatives such as a series of free online lectures on Catholic approaches to issues such as policing, economics and art, and curated an annual conference on Catholic higher education. Dr Mealey is also setting up continuing professional development sessions for time-pressed local schoolteachers, and supporting the virtues-based Stella Maris Leadership Awards scheme run by nearby Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College.
Professor Egbu said: “Fundamentally my Catholic upbringing, that wherever you are you must give more than you get, has meant me trying to support those who are less privileged or who struggle to get into academia. I’ve made it a point of duty to always bring to universities what I call widening participation, for people who are struggling to get there — once they’ve got the promise, and the opportunity, we need to realise their potential.”
However, while many aspects of the university’s Catholic life are flourishing, Professor Egbu said, issues remain for the sector as a whole. “Many of us as Catholic universities are struggling,” he said, “because in a secular society those things that stood us well in the past perhaps are becoming a challenge. In the past if you asked somebody why they came they would say because of the philosophy and ethics, the Catholic mission and Catholic teachings. Very few people are now coming to the university to do this.”
Global family, local mission
Leeds Trinity has recently become a full member of the US-based Catholic Health Association, ahead of plans to introduce nursing degrees next year. Partnerships are also being established through membership of the International Federation of Catholic Universities, and in Latin America. As a result, the number of international students is expected to grow significantly. A year ago there were only 15 international students, at present there are 80, but in the next three years the total is expected to rise to 500.
“We know that many students benefit greatly from being able to travel across the world between Catholic universities,” Professor Egbu said, “so it’s a now new strategic ambition to grow this, prior to that we’ve always been a localised university.”
Closer to home in Leeds, the university is also set to expand its campus estate. A property in the city centre has recently been acquired, with plans to open additional facilities including student support services and a Catholic chaplaincy.
A Catholic approach
Through championing Catholic virtues, with inclusivity and dignity, the university’s aim is to develop well-rounded, resilient students who are sought after by employers, and which is what Professor Egbu believes differentiates Catholic higher education.
“We are obliged to make sure we transform their lives because we’ve seen the potential,” he said. “Not many universities can say that! Once you are in our university we want to develop the wholeness in you, through volunteering, support work in the community, coaching, mentoring, the wider social justice, so you can begin to picture yourself when you are out there, how you can contribute to a challenging world, and you are prepared for that.”
Ultimately, the Leeds Trinity Vice-Chancellor hopes graduates cherish their university experience and maintain its values, of being supportive in any environment they find themselves in, giving everybody an opportunity and, ultimately, seeing Lord Jesus in everyone.
“It’s not antagonistic to how the world is changing, indeed it’s part and parcel of a very challenging world — with the centrality of care and compassion and innovation at the heart of it.”
Statement on Levelling Up Bill amendment protecting Church school land
Paul Barber, Director of the CES, said: “This amendment secures important legislative protections for Church academies similar to those that exist for maintained schools, and is a welcome measure to safeguard the charitable purpose of school land.
"The Catholic Church is the biggest provider of secondary education and second largest provider of primary schools, with nearly 850,000 pupils. With thanks to the Government this legislation will help ensure the Church’s mission in education is protected as schools move toward a multi-academy trust model.”
Holy See welcomes new CES Religious Education Directory
The Dicastery for Culture and Education has been formally presented with the new Religious Education Directory for Catholic schools in England and Wales.
Monsignor Giovanni Cesare Pagazzi, Secretary of the Dicastery, welcomed the new directory at his office on 29 March, along with the Rt Rev Philip Egan, Bishop of Portsmouth; CES Director Paul Barber; Religious Education Adviser Philip Robinson; and Senior Policy and Education Adviser Dr Nancy Walbank.
Titled To Know You More Clearly, the directory covers Foundation Stage to Year 9 with a programme of study and model curriculum, replacing previous editions published in 1996 and 2012. It was drafted to reflect the 2022 Instruction by the Dicastery titled The Identity Of The Catholic School for a Culture of Dialogue.
Topics covered in To Know You More Clearly include the relationship between faith and science; the problem of evil; nature of human freedom; rights of the unborn; plight of refugees and asylum seekers; war and peace.
There is also a focus on the beauty of Catholicism and its influence on culture through art, music, literature, science, and architecture, equipping young people to engage with the Church beyond intellectual remits, and approach the transcendent.
‘Drawing on our Catholicism helps us to be a good university’: Anthony McClaran, Vice-Chancellor of St Mary’s University, on Catholic higher education
St Mary’s University, in Twickenham, is one of England’s four Catholic higher education institutions and was founded in 1850 by a precursor of the CES.
Today St Mary’s welcomes 6,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, including 800 from abroad, across a range of disciplines. It’s also rated as fifth in the country for teaching quality, and in the top ten for overall student experience by national university guides.
Anthony McClaran was appointed Vice-Chancellor in 2020 after serving in higher education leadership roles including as Chief Executive of UCAS; Australia’s Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency; the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency; and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire.
In 2021 he was appointed by Pope Francis to AVEPRO, the Holy See’s quality assurance agency for the awarding of ecclesiastical degrees.
As Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of St Mary’s, Anthony is answerable to its Board of Governors and is responsible for leadership, strategic direction and the overall coordination of the university to achieve its aims. Part of the role is being its external face, for partners, stakeholders, members of the Church, and more.
He said: “The day-to-day description is incredible variety; it might be a letter from a parent or a message from an alumnus, or we recently hosted the Bishop of Oslo, and the Ukrainian Catholic Bishop - just enormous variety, which is part of the fascination of the job.”
Making connections
Belonging to the broad Catholic family is important for the small but growing Catholic university sector in this country, helping to support international partnerships in research, conferences and student placements. St Mary’s is a member of the International Federation of Catholic Universities, the US-based Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, and the Federation of European Catholic Universities.
Anthony said: “It's encouraging - you get a strong sense of the universal nature of the Church and can learn lessons from the experiences of colleagues in very different settings. For instance, I attended a development meeting for leaders of Catholic universities with colleagues from South America, Africa, North America, other parts of Europe, and Europeans were in the minority.
“Exposure to the richness and diversity of the Catholic world is really helpful, it gives you a confidence in your mission and in what you're trying to achieve in terms of Catholic higher education.
“We want to be a leading Catholic university, for London and the world, as we're very conscious that being in London we’re in a global city and that has huge benefits in terms of attracting international students. Our Catholic identity is very important as an inclusive identity; we see it as a point of connection with the world not a point of separation.”
Ancient and modern
Despite appearing a relatively new phenomenon, Catholic universities in England stretch back to the mediaeval era, when most of them were established by the papacy or religious orders. Anthony acknowledges the deep history of Catholic education, with the earliest European universities in the service of the Church, and in pursuit of the humane and liberal areas of study. He cites St John Henry Newman as another and more recent influence on Catholic universities, with the Cardinal’s articulation of the idea of a university as a place for the formation of the whole person.
Anthony said: “That means a commitment to a breadth of knowledge, in the context of a very strong commitment to forming the whole person, to seeing higher education not simply in instrumental terms but also in terms of the development of character, and an approach which understands the place of ethics within higher education.
“One of the key developers of artificial intelligence, who's now really worried about the way which that may go, was saying recently that no one's teaching ethics in AI or computing science. I think a Catholic university should have an ethical approach across the curriculum.
“The strength of the tradition we're drawing on is that ethics matter, the virtues matter, character development matters. We prepare our students to be highly employable - and to make a significant impact on the society in which they will be employed.”
This emphasis on ethics is put into practice at the university, which is also home to research initiatives for some of society’s most contemporary and controversial issues. In 2015 the Bakhita Centre for Research on Slavery, Exploitation and Abuse was opened, named after the Sudanese former slave St Josephine Bakhita, which works with government departments and charities. St Mary’s alumnus Sir Mo Farah, a campaigner against human trafficking and modern slavery and a victim of these crimes, was recently made a patron. The Centre for the Art of Dying Well also has its premises on campus, exploring practical matters such as palliative care and support during grief.
Local links
As with England’s other three Catholic universities, Leeds Trinity, Liverpool Hope and Newman, St Mary’s was originally established as a college to train teachers.
Anthony said: “Someone in our institute of education said to me a little while ago that they reckoned about half the heads and deputy heads of Catholic schools in Greater London had been trained at St Mary's. While that’s anecdotal, there are St Mary's teaching graduates widely across the Catholic school system and those links with Catholic schools remain incredibly important for trainee teacher placements.”
The university’s bond with the capital is further born out in membership of the South London Partnership, an alliance of boroughs to promote economic growth and sustainability. Students participate in work placements with local businesses, while St Mary’s also runs the Exchange Theatre in Twickenham on behalf of fellow partnership member Richmond Council, and supports arts festivals in the area.
Thriving Catholicism
Unsurprisingly, there is plenty of Catholic and faith life in the university, from a very active chaplaincy to Masses held twice a day on campus, and there are Catholic, Christian and Islamic student societies. In 2016 the Sisters of Assumption opened a new community at the invitation of St Mary’s, to be a praying presence, and to arrange services such as evening prayer adoration. Pentecost celebrations have also taken place on site organised by members of Loretto HOME, a nearby Christian community where some students are residents.
The university also administers the diaconate programme for dioceses in the South of England, and is home to Mater Ecclesiae College, a Pontifical institute and seminary. Further afield, at the request of the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, St Mary’s runs theology courses at the Gillis Centre in the Scottish capital.
Serving students
In conclusion, and as demonstrated by its high-scoring national leaderboard positions, the university is clearly well-regarded by that most critical of audiences, those who choose to study there. For the Vice-Chancellor this is underpinned by belief, and a principle of service for all.
Anthony said: “Drawing on our Catholicism helps us to be a good university, in terms of serving our students, a good university in terms of academic achievement and outcomes. There's a really strong commitment to providing strong support for our students, because we believe that's the way in which they are going to learn most effectively.
“Those qualities are really the gift of a Catholic approach to higher education - not just for Catholics, but for everybody who studies here.”
How do you teach a topic like vocation? New Religious Education resources launched
Free new RE resources have been published to help teach sixth form students about the call to holiness.
The optional Core RE Vocation module has been produced by the National Office for Vocation (NOV) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
The resources include:
a staff handbook of seven structured lessons
prayers
student workbooks
Powerpoint presentations
videos
Lessons are based around the themes of vocation and discernment; the call to serve; marriage; the holy orders of Deacon, Priesthood and Bishop; consecrated religious life; a guest speaker; and assessment.
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP, NOV Chair, said: “The Call to Holiness’ is heard at different moments in a person’s life and its response takes different forms. For some it may be a lifelong commitment to religious life or priesthood but for others it may be in the married or single life, in teaching, the caring professions or in the world of law and business, or a combination of these.
"But the ‘Call to Holiness’ is universal and applies to everyone no matter what path in life they choose.”
Liverpool Hope University awards Fr Timothy Radcliffe Honorary Doctorate
Liverpool Hope University, one of four Catholic higher education institutions in England, has awarded an Honorary Doctorate to internationally acclaimed preacher and author, Father Timothy Radcliffe OP.
Fr Radcliffe is a Roman Catholic priest and former Master of the Order of Preachers – the lead role in the religious order commonly known as the Dominicans.
The 77-year-old has been conferred a Doctor of Divinity (D.D), honoris causa, in recognition of his illustrious career as a globally celebrated theologian, as well as his commitment to tackling social issues and his work to develop young leaders. He was presented with his honorary degree at a graduation ceremony held at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral on Thursday 20 July.
Ordained in 1971, Fr Timothy was Master of the Order of Preachers between 1992 and 2001 and remains the only member of the English Province of the Dominicans to hold that office.
Since the end of his term as Master, Fr Timothy has enjoyed a varied and prestigious career, in which he has been constantly in demand across the globe as a speaker, lecturer, preacher and broadcaster. He has written numerous books, winning the 2007 Michael Ramsey Prize for the best in theological writing for the much-admired What is the Point of Being a Christian?, which included the best of his public addresses in the three years before its 2005 release.
This award, however, stretches beyond Fr Timothy’s theological achievements, also recognising the deep care he has shown for others throughout his life. He is a patron of Catholic AIDS Prevention and Support and has been involved in the ministry to people with Aids, as well campaigning against nuclear weapons. Fr Timothy also spent eight years on the board of CAFOD and is a patron of the International Young Leaders Network and the Las Casas Institute for Social Justice.
Earlier this year, he was invited by Pope Francis to lead the Synod of Bishops Assembly in the Vatican, one of the most important global Church gatherings for decades.
Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP said: “I am delighted to receive this honorary doctorate. I have been to Liverpool many times but have never visited the University before and the fact that I haven’t been to the University before made it an even greater honour.
“I think Liverpool Hope is a wonderful name. Hope is what these graduates need to believe that there is a future and they have a role in making that future. Hope is what we need so what is better than Liverpool Hope University?”
Liverpool Hope University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Claire Ozanne, said: “We award honorary degrees to those who have made a significant contribution to their field of expertise and in that regard, Fr Timothy could not be more deserving of this recognition.
“As a theologian, he is held in the highest esteem around the world, whilst the care and compassion for others which has been evident throughout his life with his numerous charitable and social justice endeavours is something we can all learn from. I am therefore delighted to welcome Fr Timothy into this University as Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa.”
Liverpool Hope awards honorary doctorates to those who have excelled in their chosen field and whose work aligns with the University’s mission and values.
The ‘muddy boots biologist’ who is the new Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool’s Catholic university
Liverpool Hope is one of four Catholic universities in England, and on 13 July held an inauguration ceremony at the city’s Metropolitan Cathedral for its new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Claire Ozanne.
With just over 5,000 students, the university is the only such foundation in Europe and the USA where Catholic and Anglican colleges have joined together, and takes its name from Hope Street, which links both of Liverpool’s cathedrals.
Anglican St Katharine’s College was founded in 1844, and Catholic Notre Dame College in 1956, both institutions being created by the Churches in response to the need to train people to educate the poor and disadvantaged. They were joined by Christ’s College of Education, established in 1964 as a centre for Catholic reflection and education.
Professor Ozanne gained her DPhil from Oxford University and her work has focused on habitats influenced by human activities, leading multidisciplinary projects in the UK, Australia, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Guyana.
Formerly the Deputy Director and Provost at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, and in 2017 seconded to be Principal at Heythrop College, she was also Vice Provost at the University of Roehampton.
Liverpool Hope’s fourth Vice-Chancellor and Rector is a Professor of Ecology, an early interest born out of walks in the countryside with her family, who encouraged her to explore and ask questions about the natural world, as well as an inspirational school biology teacher and university tutor.
Professor Ozanne said: “I was fortunate to be able to bring together my love of trying to understand how systems work and that of the outdoors – I often describe myself as a ‘muddy boots’ biologist.”
Campus environment
She believes Catholic higher education institutions can play a role in implementing Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care For Our Common Home in several ways.
This includes integrating two of the Laudato Si’ goals, Cry of the Earth and Cry of the Poor, through teaching and research; providing opportunities for students to engage in practical ways of living in harmony with the Laudato Si’ goals and skills to advocate for them when they graduate; and for universities to minimise their footprint on the planet.
“As a field ecologist I am always aware of the interactions between ecosystems and people in terms of resource needs and conservation,” Professor Ozanne said. “We need to provide solutions to the complex problems of stewarding our planet, and championing climate justice.”
Common ground
The university’s ecumenical ethos is manifested in a connection to qualifications that serve the common good. This is reflected in recognition of the importance of education studies, teaching, health and social sciences, as well as the arts and humanities and their contributions to human flourishing.
Professor Ozanne said: “As vital as STEM subjects are, we need to acknowledge the significance and contribution of theologians, historians, philosophers, writers, composers and many other scholars from the broad range of the arts and humanities subjects.
“We want to enable our students to be ready for the work of the world, as well as the world of work.”
Adapting to challenges
The move to virtual learning during lockdown periods enabled thinking about offering education in different ways, particularly in terms of international, postgraduate education or professional development where there are opportunities for more flexible, hybrid and on-line learning.
There have also been longer-term effects on how research is conducted, with opportunities for new methodologies and international partnerships.
Professor Ozanne said: “All universities are challenged by the increased marketisation of higher education, our Catholic universities in England are relatively small and so not able to take advantage of the economies of scale of large universities.
“Catholic universities in the UK have also to rise to the challenges of increasing secularisation, and a diminishing knowledge base and points of reference related to faith and church in our communities.”
Local support
Liverpool Hope is one of three universities within the world-famous city, and its areas of research strength in the humanities, environmental sustainability, Artificial Intelligence and future technologies complement neighbouring institutions John Moores and the University of Liverpool.
Local and regional Catholic primary, secondary schools and colleges are partners with Liverpool Hope’s School of Education. They support trainee teachers on the university's initial teacher training programmes, providing high quality mentors and rich, formative learning experiences.
The university also works to support the Archbishop’s and Bishops' vision for multi-academy trusts, with representation on director and governing boards, and with research supporting Diaconal training, liturgical and children’s music. It also facilitates a local choir, gardening groups and works with residents’ associations and churches to support community activities, as well as businesses and charities for the improvement of the Liverpool City Region.
Undergraduate and postgraduate international students come for full degrees or a semester abroad experience, some because of its Catholic roots and ecumenical ethos. They also come to the university from global partner institutions with Christian foundations and similar commitments to student-centred education and support.
Professor Ozanne said: “I believe that many choose Liverpool Hope because of its true sense of community.
“We are a university that knows its students by name. We are a smaller university than our fellow higher education institutions and this, combined with our ethos of educating students in the round means that we offer students a personalised educational experience that includes any academic or pastoral support that they need to get the most out of their time at university.”
Equitable future
Ultimately, the new Vice-Chancellor's vision for the university is of a transformational education for students, continuing its excellent research into providing solutions to local and global challenges. It is also as an anchor institution in the North West, contributing to the development of a skilled, future-ready workforce, and for partnerships nationally and internationally to realise a more equitable society.
She said: “At Liverpool Hope I also want to ensure that our values of faith, hope and charity, our strong sense of community and our ethos of educating and developing the whole person are embedded in what we do.”
Catholic schools and universities need your help
Are you looking for a way to live out your faith and serve your local community at the same time?
Since the 19th century the Catholic Church has become the country’s largest provider of secondary schools and second-largest of primary schools, along with four universities – but now they need your help.
Educational institutions are generally governed by a body made up of different types of representatives, such as parent governors and teacher governors.
Catholic schools and universities also include foundation governors, who volunteer to ensure the Catholic vision and character of the school is upheld. Appointed on behalf of the Bishop, foundation governors should always form a majority.
Since the pandemic Catholic educational institutions have experienced vacancies for foundation governors, and more are needed to sustain their Catholic ethos and leadership.
Paul Barber, Catholic Education Service Director, said: “As throughout history, Catholics must be prepared to support, promote and defend Catholic education.
“Practising Catholics could make excellent foundation governors, or know someone who might be interested, so please find out about getting involved by contacting your diocese.”
Foundation governors come from all walks of life, bringing a mix of skills, knowledge and experience. Catholic school pupils in England and in Wales are from significantly more diverse ethnic minority backgrounds than the state sector, and governing bodies should reflect this.
The main role of a governing body is at a strategic level, holding leadership to account; overseeing financial performance and setting the budget; managing admissions criteria; and being involved in recruiting to the most senior roles.
Being a foundation governor involves attending on average three full governing body meetings per year as well as serving on a committee focusing on issues such as staff pay, or admissions. Free training is provided by the diocese.
The 2,169 schools, colleges and academies in England and Wales continue to be true to their mission, by educating more pupils from the most deprived backgrounds, and also outperform national GCSE English, Maths and Religious Education averages.
Foundation governors are also needed for Catholic higher education, at Leeds Trinity, Liverpool Hope, Birmingham Newman and St Mary’s universities.
To find out more about becoming a school foundation governor please contact your diocese. If you are interested in becoming a governor at a Catholic university please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gathering together for Education Sunday
This year, the 10th of September marks the celebration of Education Sunday for the Church in England and Wales.
In our prayer intentions, we will ask Almighty God to bless all people involved in Catholic education, and to bless the year ahead.
The resources provided to schools and to parishes focus on the promise given by Jesus in St Matthew’s Gospel: Where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them (Matthew 18:20).
As students and staff gather for Education Sunday, they can take these words to heart, for our Lord Jesus Christ always keeps His promise: you are gathered together in His name and He is with you as you work, learn, pray, grow and live out your mission.
The great desire of Jesus is to be with us and to invite us to enter into a personal relationship with Him, a relationship of love. When a person knows they are truly loved, a new confidence abounds.
The mission of our Catholic schools, colleges and universities is to provide a holistic education which enables the lives of children and young people to flourish and for them to be formed into the men and women that God the Father has created them to be.
We owe much gratitude to all those who have governed, led, taught and supported the children and young people in our Catholic schools, colleges and universities over the years, and those who continue to create the environments and opportunities for a loving encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Since the 19th century the Catholic Church has become the country’s largest provider of secondary schools and second-largest provider of primary schools. They now outperform national averages for GCSE English, Maths and Religious Education results, while taking in more pupils from the most deprived backgrounds.
On Education Sunday, as we gather in the name of the Lord Jesus and have confidence that He is with us as He promised, let us give thanks to Almighty God for all the ways He has been present to us amidst the joys and sorrows of our life. Let us invite Him to be with us over the coming academic year.
The Right Reverend Marcus Stock MA, STL
Bishop of Leeds
Chairman of the Catholic Education Service
The CES and Ten Ten Resources have produced free, downloadable Education Sunday resources for use by schools and parishes.
Columbans launch Biodiversity Matters schools competition
The Columban Missionaries in Britain announce the launch of their latest Schools Media Competition 2023-2024 which has the title: ‘Biodiversity Matters’. The launch is during the first week of the Season of Creation when Christian communities around the world focus on valuing and protecting God’s creation. And a core aspect of Columban mission is justice, peace and ecology.
The competition is aimed at students aged between 13-18 years old in Catholic schools who are invited to explore Biodiversity – the richness of life forms on Earth and which humanity relies on for health, food and well-being. It is looking for pieces of writing and images that demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the issue of Biodiversity and highlight people, communities and/or organisations trying to build a sustainable future.
Pope Francis has told us that "because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God ... We have no such right" (Laudato Si' #33)
Columbans worldwide see the devastating impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss on people and the environment as interwoven moral issues in need of prophetic responses. Inspiration for action is drawn from the 2015 teaching document by Pope Francis, Laudato Si'.
In his role as Columban Justice and Peace Education Worker in Britain, James Trewby visits young people in schools and sixth forms and runs workshops, retreats and assemblies to promote justice, peace and the integrity of creation.
He said: “I’m delighted that the Columban Schools Media Competition this year focuses on the theme of Biodiversity. In a world of increasing globalisation and environmental degradation, management of biological diversity is one of the most important and critical challenges facing humankind today. The Columbans are keen to nurture the student voice and provide an opportunity for young people to engage with this issue.”
Encouraging creativity and faith engagement with issues in the world today, this year’s competition welcomes both written and image entries until the closing date of 17 February 2024. Winners will be announced on Columban media on 21 March 2024, the International Day of Forests.
Two separate competitions will be judged, one for students in Britain and one for students in Ireland. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winning entrants and the first prize in Britain is an impressive £500.
High-profile judges from the world of journalism have been secured, including Ruth Gledhill of The Tablet and Jo Siedlecka of Independent Catholic News. Also, Catholic experts on environmental protection and education, including Columban eco-theologian Fr Sean McDonagh and environmentalist Mary Colwell.
Winning entries will be published in the Columbans’ Far East magazine, Vocation for Justice newsletter, Columban websites in Ireland and Britain, Columban social media and in other Catholic media.
Schools will find the Columban Competition website a useful resource. It includes information on the theme, examples of Church work on Biodiversity, Catholic Social Teaching on the theme of Biodiversity and information about inspirational Catholics working on the issue. There are also details on submission of entries and a helpful FAQ page. The website provides material suitable for students, teachers and parents.
This is the seventh annual School’s Media Competition. Past themes have included Migrants, Climate Change, Racism, 21st Century Changemakers and Peace.
Statement on inaccurate London School of Economics research into Catholic primary school admissions
Catholic schools educate a much higher proportion of pupils from the most deprived backgrounds than other schools, according to the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI), with ten times the catchment area of local schools so less reflective of immediate localities.
Free school meals are an inaccurate indicator for example, they continue after after household incomes exceed the threshold. Catholic schools welcome children with SEND, and parents will want to choose the school that is best for their children’s needs.
For a child with an EHCP, it is the local authority, not the school, that makes the decision about which school the child will attend, based solely on the child’s needs.
If parents decides that the local mainstream Catholic school is not the best fit for their child’s particular needs, they might instead opt for another school, such as a Catholic special school or a Catholic school approved for SEN pupils, of which there are 26 in England and Wales.
Catholic schools nationally take 50% more children than other schools from the 10% most deprived areas, and about 25% fewer from the 10% most affluent areas: for IDACI figures see page 53 of the 2022 Census of Catholic schools in England
To love You more dearly: new Prayer and Liturgy Directory now available
The new Prayer and Liturgy Directory for Catholic schools, academies and colleges in England and Wales has been published.
Titled To love You more dearly it is available on the CES website to read or download, while hard copies can also be ordered from YPD Books.
New Prayer and Liturgy Directory launched by CES and Bishops' Conference
A new Prayer and Liturgy Directory for Catholic schools, colleges and academies in England and Wales has been launched at a conference in York.
The directory was presented to dioceses on 17 October by a host of speakers including Dr Sue Price, Director of Pastoral Outreach at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, and its editors Martin Foster, Director of the Liturgy Office for the Bishops’ Conference; and the Revd Professor Peter McGrail, Subject Lead for Theology, Philosophy and Religious Studies at Liverpool Hope University.
Titled To love You more dearly and published by the Bishops’ Conference and the CES, it is the first such document to support prayer and liturgy coordinators, senior leadership teams and governors and others in implementing the understanding of the Catholic Church in prayer and liturgy.
Communal prayer forms a major part of the spiritual life of the school and to pupils’ moral and spiritual development, with participants invited to recognise God’s action in their lives and that of the school. For example, this can include classroom prayer at the beginning or end of the day, and prayer at the start of a staff meeting.
The Directory has been approved by the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and was subject to a number of wide-scale consultations with practitioners which helped to shape and develop the text.
In the preface the Most Revd George Stack, Emeritus Archbishop of Cardiff and Chairman of the Department for Christian Life and Worship, and the Rt Revd Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds and Chairman of the Department for Education and Formation, write: “In Catholic schools and colleges across England and Wales, teachers and other adult members of the school community have long supported the life of prayer and liturgy within their schools with imagination and dedication.
“We hope that this directory will affirm what is good practice, while also setting a high bar to which all can aspire.”
Topics covered include the use of music; celebrating sacraments; devotions and more. Sections can also be used to provide focused guidance as follows:
- in developing school policies and systems
- in directly planning prayer and liturgy
- as a focus for evaluating practice
- in staff formation
- as reference points for Catholic school inspectors to support their judgments
Part of a series, the document follows on from To know You more clearly, its Religious Education counterpart published earlier this year.
The title of the new Prayer and Liturgy Directory, To love You more dearly, is taken from a prayer by St Richard of Chichester, a Bishop in the 13th century remembered for his generosity to the poor, mercy shown to sinners, and reform of the liturgical life of his diocese.
Supporting resources for schools, based on the directory, are currently being prepared.
To love You more dearly was drafted and edited by experts including Martin Foster, Director of the Liturgy Office for the Bishops’ Conference; the Revd Professor Peter McGrail, Subject Lead for Theology, Philosophy and Religious Studies at Liverpool Hope University; Philip Robinson, Chief Inspector of the Catholic Schools Inspectorate; Catherine Bryan, Deputy Director of the CES; Dr Nancy Walbank, CES Religious Education Adviser; Elaine Arundell, Primary RE Adviser for the Archdiocese of Westminster, and of the National Board of RE Inspectors and Advisers (NBRIA); Matthew Dell, Senior Lecturer in RE at St Mary’s University, and of Association of Teachers of Catholic Religious Education (ATCRE); Deacon Paul Mannings of the Archdiocese of Liverpool, and of NBRIA; Jane Porter of the Association of Catholic Chaplains in Education (ACCE), and Cardinal Newman School, in Luton; and Peter Ward of NBRIA.
Download and read To love You more dearly or order a hard copy from YPD Books
“We’re not blind — we’ve got VISION”: the extraordinary global success of a Liverpool Catholic school for visually impaired children
Liverpool is a city famous throughout the world, and a Catholic school is making sure the tradition continues in the field of specialist education.
Dr John Patterson (pictured, left), Principal at St Vincent’s School, in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, has overseen pupils developing a disability sports toolbox that now helps children in 20 countries across four continents.
He has championed pupils’ leadership skills with an enriched curriculum which has them teaching their international peers in how to use the toolbox, and the Indonesian government has since asked for 70,000 of its social workers to be similarly trained.
The school's pupils have made ceramic Remembrance poppies worn by leaders including then-Prime Minister Theresa May; they have sung for the Queen; and have also been featured in an exhibition by celebrity photographer Rankin for the COP26 climate change summit that took place in Glasgow during 2021.
So how did a lad in oil-stained overalls end up empowering a generation of visually-impaired (VI) young people, both in Britain and beyond?
Innovating education
John Patterson originally started out as an engineer more than 30 years ago, when his mother supported him to retrain as a teacher at Liverpool Hope, one of four Catholic universities in England. Working in inner city primary schools, he soon designed activities linking sports with technology, eventually returning to Liverpool Hope as Head of PE in teacher training and education.
During this time he completed a Master’s degree and PhD and was then asked by the government to set up a free school, at which he was appointed headteacher. In 2012 Dr Patterson became Principal of St Vincent’s School.
“When the Holy Father calls for the reaching of the marginalised we couldn’t really be reaching a more marginalised group than the visually impaired,” he said, adding that the unemployment rate for adults with visual impairments is around 85%, while they have on average five or six fewer friends than sighted people, contributing to isolation, health and wellbeing issues.
As Principal, Dr Patterson set about encouraging students’ entrepreneurialism, employment skills, creativity, and solidarity with those less fortunate. On Wednesdays pupils choose lessons they feel play to their strengths, including in music, drama, sports, ICT, environmental work, and growing food on the school grounds to use in a student-run café.
“Our Lord asked blind Bartimaeus what he wanted, He didn’t presume,” Dr Patterson said, “So for me it’s a big part of following His lead, giving both voice and choice.”
From the Mersey to the world
At the same time he has made use of an extensive network of contacts built up in the city over the years to open up new opportunities for the school.
Pupils have designed computer games and given presentations to major employers including Capita and cereal producer Kellogg’s, which led to VI-accessible information being added to packaging. An essay on the theme of peace, part of citizenship learning, led to a pupil travelling to New York through Liverpool Lions Club to read out his prize-winning entry at the United Nations headquarters.
“It’s a real encouragement to have their voices heard and included, where so often they’re overlooked,” Dr Patterson said.
When pupils learned how little equipment VI children in developing countries have, they resolved to help address the situation. With support from Liverpool Hope and John Moores universities they devised the Sightbox, containers of items to assist blind and VI children participating in sport, such as gym kits, a boccia grid and balls, a goalball, pedometer, digital talking watch, and card games in braille.
Through Liverpool Rotary Club Sightboxes have now been delivered to VI schools worldwide including in Pakistan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Peru, the Virgin Islands, Indonesia and many more including in Nepal (see image below) .
Rotary representatives say the children are much more independent and confident when they have visited a year after first delivering the Sightboxes. The initiative has been recognised by the Royal National Institute of Blind People, and St Vincent’s also sends prescription glasses to children in poorer countries whose eyesight is at risk due to albinism.
The school’s achievements came to the attention of Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald M. Afr. OBE, who was so impressed that he invited the pupils to present their international work at an interfaith forum attended by elders from local mosques and the Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mark Blundell.
Cardinal Fitzgerald has since invited the Society of Missionaries of Africa, into which he was ordained in 1961, to partner with the school.
As part of celebrations last year to mark the 250th anniversary of Amazing Grace, St Vincent’s pupils sang at St Peter and St Paul, at Olney, near Milton Keynes. This was the parish church of the hymn’s composer, the Revd John Newton, at which the school had been invited to participate in an event organised by the nearby Cowper and Newton Museum.
Leadership
These activities count towards the Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award, and some of the students have gone on to secure their Gold DofE and play for England VI teams. The school hosts the mandatory VI teacher training programme with John Moores University, while sighted students from elsewhere in the region are taught by St Vincent’s pupils in how to play disability sports, a concept of ‘reverse inclusion’ to promote leadership.
The success of the school has not gone unnoticed, and Dr Patterson won the Silver Lifetime Achievement category at the Pearson National Teaching Awards 2023 and has been granted the Freedom of the City of Liverpool. He has also written a book on VI for Redemptorist Publications, and contributed to a collection of essays celebrating the life-changing impact of Liverpool Hope University, launched at Lambeth Palace Library.
The city’s Regional Combined Authority has affirmed a task force to assist Dr Patterson in delivering international collaborations, emphasising the contribution of Liverpool to the UK economy and drawing research and development funding to the area.
He said: “It’s all part of our school’s enriched curriculum, to enable, empower and signpost pupils into opportunity and employability, and helping other VI pupils globally, it’s what our pupils wanted to do.
“We’re not blind — we’ve got vision.”
St Vincent’s School was established on its present site in 1901 by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul. It is part of the Catholic Blind Institute and is consistently rated by Ofsted as outstanding.
Catholic dioceses unlock the potential of school chaplains and youth ministers
The first apprenticeship and career pathway for school chaplains and youth ministers is helping resolve difficulties in formation, recruitment and retention.
Many of the 2,175 Catholic schools, colleges and academies in England employ lay chaplains to address the social, emotional and spiritual needs of students and staff. However, lack of career progression and limited pay can result in low numbers of applicants for school chaplain vacancies, stretched between multiple sites, and who then move on to jobs with better prospects.
Tom Baptist, in collaboration with the Diocese of Nottingham Education Service, has highlighted the issue in establishing a career pathway from apprentice level up to a regional chaplaincy director. Within this a lay chaplain support staff post has been created to avoid teaching assistants taking on pastoral duties beyond their role. It provides formal recognition for their work, improved salary, and potential career progression into chaplaincy.
The lay chaplains are supported by the education structure in Nottingham Diocese, with all 84 of its state-funded Catholic schools within three multi-academy trusts (MATs). Consistent pay and conditions are ensured by the diocesan Human Resources Director who oversees all three MATs.
Also working to solve this problem is Susan Elderfield, Chaplaincy Adviser for the Archdiocese of Southwark, where there are 163 Catholic schools. In 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic she approached St Mary’s University, in Twickenham, to set up a Chaplaincy and Youth Ministry Apprenticeship. This resulted in the Education Skills Funding Agency awarding the university training provider status.
The Level 4 apprenticeship promotes a vocational pathway to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours of chaplains and youth ministers. It pays particular attention to their formation, which has historically suffered due to an overreliance on informal on-the-job training with some support.
The apprenticeship covers a range of topics, including safeguarding, special education needs and disabilities, bereavement, mental health, behaviour management and the skills to support and lead the spiritual, religious and liturgical life of a school. During the programme each apprentice qualifies as a Youth Mental Health First Aider and achieves a Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies.
Apprentice Alexandra Shelton-Bourke described her experience of studying the course as ‘incredible’, and ‘very practical’. She said: “I continue to learn and develop different skills that I would not have learned otherwise. These skills have been valuable during my placement at school when leading a staff liturgy and delivering acts of worship to students.”
As a result of this apprenticeship, Susan said: “In Southwark, a greater number of schools now have access to a chaplain, and the apprentices feel part of a professional support network. This is important for pupils and for the Catholic life and mission of schools.”
The first 15 apprentices are currently on placements in schools and retreat centres across the dioceses of Southwark, Westminster, Nottingham and Birmingham. They come from a range of backgrounds and ages, some straight from school, others graduates and youth workers, and one a former managing director. Recruitment is currently ongoing for the third cohort which will start in January 2024.
Find out more about the School and College Chaplaincy and Youth Ministry apprenticeship
Catholic schools save £500,000 by going green
Seventy Catholic primaries and secondaries in the Archdioceses of Birmingham and Westminster have saved over £500,000 - enough to employ 30 teaching assistants - by clubbing together to commission reviews of how their premises use energy.
Known as Heat Decarbonisation Plans (HDPs), these detailed assessments, commissioned by the Archdioceses’ education services, revealed that upgrading building management systems could make big savings through more efficient energy use.
The schools then put in place a range of measures including improved metering for gas and electricity monitoring, LED lighting, and for schools installing solar panels these then provided up to half of their electricity.
St John Paul II Multi Academy runs nine schools in the Birmingham area, including in Walmley, Erdington and Sutton Coldfield, which have since saved £80,000, equivalent to 871,000 units of gas.
John Carroll, Facilities Manager for St John Paul II Multi Academy, said: “The prices just kept going up, we had to take control of it.
“The HDPs recommended new control panels for the boilers, and straight away we found we were saving a lot of money. By managing data for energy use it’s made a huge difference – we've cut down gas usage by 30%.
“Schools are looking at conservation now, and headteachers can talk to staff and pupils with savings for the past year and say ‘this is what you’ve done, now let’s keep it going’.”
The Archdioceses used Churchmarketplace, a not-for-profit procurement service set up by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales to help Catholic schools and parishes bulk-buy collectively to save on costs.
The Archdioceses then contracted energy efficiency consultancy Zeco to work out where savings could be made in schools, supported by Churchmarketplace.
Much of educational budgets are spent on products and services, such as stationery, transport, catering, computers, broadband, and printers, all of which can be made much cheaper by bulk purchases with multiple schools.
Jennifer Williamson, Director of Churchmarketplace, said: “Headteachers continue to come under huge pressure from inflation when setting budgets. By buying together with other schools real savings can be made on costs, and energy-efficient systems put in place which go on to save even more.”
Two of the key texts of Pope Francis are Laudato Si’: On Care For Our Common Home, and Laudate Deum, which emphasise the importance of protecting the environment against a culture of disposability.
Find out more about Churchmarketplace
Listen up: Catholic university hosts education podcast
A podcast on how to return Church thought to public debate is now available, with episodes featuring contributions from a former government minister, Catholic university leaders and internationally distinguished academics.
Beyond The Dark Clouds is hosted by Leeds Trinity University, one of four Catholic universities in England, and is centred around justice in contested issues such as law enforcement, economics, spirituality, the arts and more.
Episodes include former Labour government Trade and Industry, and Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs minister, Sir John Battle discussing the relevance of a Catholic university in the secular world. Leadership and the future of Catholic higher education is considered by Anthony McClaran, Vice-Chancellor St Mary’s University.
Professor Nicolas Vergier of the Institut Catholique de Paris and International Federation of Catholic Universities addresses the purpose of Catholic universities. Justice in policing is the theme undertaken by Professor Tobias Winright of St Patrick's Pontifical University, in Maynooth, Ireland.
Dr Ann Marie Mealey, Director of Catholic Mission at Leeds Trinity, speaks about the relevance of Catholic Social Teaching for debate in the public square and higher education sector. She explains that education for hope is the key theme for the series, in seeking to demonstrate how Catholic education and Catholic intellectual tradition can offer hope to a fractured world.
Other subjects for discussion include universities renewing a sense of purpose in students; faith and conversion in the works of Virginia Woolf; spirituality and art, as well as the need for a new narrative of faith in society.
An excellent lecture on spiritual friendship in relation to the Synod, given by internationally respected scholar and author on Christian education, Professor John Sullivan, can help listeners to consider the route to dialogue in a period of listening in the Church.
Pope Francis in his 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti (on fraternity and social friendship) refers to ‘dark clouds over a closed world’, which inspired the podcast’s title.
Beyond The Dark Clouds is hosted and produced by Dr Ann Marie Mealey, with help from the university’s Senior Lecturer in Journalism, Darren Harper.
Listen to Beyond The Dark Clouds on Spotify and other platforms.
Trustees needed for Centre for Chaplaincy in Education
Are you committed to supporting and developing chaplaincy in education and called to give your time, experience and skill to the role of a trustee?
The Centre For Chaplaincy In Education is seeking new trustees.
You might be a serving or retired chaplain or church or school leader, or you may be approaching this from another perspective.
Whatever your background and interest, the CCE would be pleased to hear from you.
As well as a general trustee roles, we are also looking for someone who can take on responsibility for finance.
For an informal conversation please contact Mike Haslam, Chair of Trustees, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bishop Marcus' Advent message to Catholic schools
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In this liturgical season of Advent, we encounter refrains of preparation and expectation. These are experienced in the daily and Sunday readings; they culminate at Christmas in celebration of the birth of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the renewal of the calendar year with the Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God.
Soon the school term will also give way to the holiday period. To school leaders, teachers, learning assistants, chaplains all those employed in our diocesan schools and colleges, I offer my thanks for their dedicated work and for their vocation within Catholic education.
Every year yields new challenges and those who exercise governance give so generously of their time, experience, and expertise. I wish to express my thanks therefore also to school and university governors and to trust boards, for their stewardship of the Church’s school, college and university communities and their important role in Catholic education.
Of course, parents are the first teachers of their children. The school environment in which children are taught and can flourish is founded upon all that they learn first in the family home. The parental love and encouragement which children receive in their home is reflected in the continued success of Catholic education at all levels, and for this grace we give thanks to the Lord.
May Almighty God bless you, your families and loved ones through these joyous days of Advent and Christmas and keep you safe throughout the Year of Our Lord 2024.
With the assurance of my prayers for you all, I remain,
Your servant in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rt Rev Marcus Stock
Chair of the Catholic Education Service
Bishop of Leeds
Gender questioning children guidance for schools: CES statement
The government has today (19 December) launched a consultation on Gender questioning children: draft schools and colleges guidance.
Paul Barber, Catholic Education Service Director, said: “While some clarity from the government is welcome, Catholic schools have been responding to pupils over this issue for many years, on a case-by-case basis, with sensitivity and understanding that each individual’s needs vary. Catholic education focuses on the God-given dignity of each individual, regardless of what gender they are. We will be participating in the consultation in due course.”
Statement on inaccurate Sutton Trust 'Selective Comprehensives' research
Paul Barber, Catholic Education Service Director, said: “Catholic schools take in 50% more pupils from the most deprived backgrounds than the state sector.
“Just under a fifth of all pupils in Catholic statutory education meet the highest Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI) criteria, compared to a 12.8% England average. Similarly, fewer pupils from the more affluent areas attend Catholic schools.
“Catholic schools have ten times the catchment area of other schools, and so are less reflective of their immediate locality.
“Free school meals are available for parents on benefits, but continue after household income rises above eligibility criteria. The number of Catholic school pupils on free school meals is marginally lower than the national average as many parents are ineligible due to immigration status or low-paid employment, with barriers to take-up including the complexity of applications and financial privacy concerns.”
AI, neuro-technologies and the Church: Catholic university podcast returns
The Catholic Church’s response to AI and neuro-technologies is among topics in a new season of podcasts and lectures hosted by Leeds Trinity University.
Launching on 29 March, the Beyond The Dark Clouds series returns for its second year, titled Prophetic Voices From Around The World, and features a range of international Catholic university leaders and academics.
All live streams take place at 7pm, with questions and discussion taking place after the speaker’s presentation. The schedule is as follows:
4 April - ‘Aristotle, Aquinas, Catholic Social Teaching and the University’, from Dr Andrew Morton, Research and Knowledge Exchange Officer, Leeds Trinity University.
11 April - ‘The Intelligibility of Hope in a World of Emerging Technologies’, from Dr Cathriona Russell, Assistant Professor, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
3 May - ‘Reading the Signs of the Times: Catholic Schools Responding to the Joys and the Hopes, the Griefs and the Anxieties of our Time’, from Dr Mary Mihovilovic, Associate Professor, St Mary’s University, Twickenham.
17 May - ‘Faith and the Future: How can the Church Respond in Hope to the Challenges Presented by Artificial Intelligence?’, from Joseph Nelson, Leeds Trinity University Graduate.
22 May - ‘Augmenting Our Minds? Neurotechnologies and the Common Good’, from Neil Messer, Professor of Theological Bioethics, Baylor University, Texas, United States.
30 May - ‘Leo After Lockdowns: The Value of Voluntary Societies’, Dr Megan Russo, from Assistant Professor of Political Science, St Thomas University, Texas, United States.
27 September, ‘Building the Dream Together: The Meaning of Hope in the Anthropocene’, from Dr Nancy Rourke, Associate Professor and Interim Department Chair, Canisius College, Boston, United States.
Beyond The Dark Clouds is produced by Dr Ann Marie Mealey, Director of Catholic Mission at Leeds Trinity, one of four Catholic universities in England, with help from the university’s Senior Lecturer in Journalism, Darren Harper.
Pope Francis in his 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti (on fraternity and social friendship) refers to ‘dark clouds over a closed world’, which inspired the series title.
Register for attendance on Eventbrite or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Listen to previous Beyond The Dark Clouds episodes on Spotify and other platforms
The Church needs you! A school chaplain on why you should consider becoming one
Harry Rawcliffe is school chaplain at The Campion School, Hornchurch, in Brentwood Diocese.
‘Sir, what do you do?’, a Year 8 student asked me as I stood on the playground in the first month of my new job. I had to pause and consider the question – not just because I had not yet had my morning coffee!
I offered something boiler-plate along the lines of ‘I help the school to live out our faith.’ True, I suppose. Yet insufficient!
In my two years here I have only become more convinced of the vital role of a dedicated chaplain in Catholic secondary schools. No job description can quite capture the role. You are a source of pastoral support and counsel for staff and students. You are a networker and catalyst for energy and initiatives already present in the school and the wider community – charity initiatives, social justice projects, wellbeing and spiritual development opportunities. You walk with individuals up the mountain of God – leading them to, and facilitating, moments of encounter in the Sacraments or on retreat.
But more fundamentally, a school chaplain is themselves. You bring your own joy, style and personal touch to the role. For some, this means using musical or artistic gifts and talents. For others, it means helping out in PE and with sports teams. For me, it is neither of those examples! Whatever it is, a school chaplain brings themself to the role, as they are. Young people can smell ‘inauthenticity’ from a mile away. When they are accompanied by people who are simply being themselves, young people feel able to be themselves too.
I find my own prayer life to be the one thing that can give me the grace I need to do my job well – because in prayer we remember who God is, and who we truly are.
What are some essential skills to be a school chaplain? Know that you are loved by God and that you are a pilgrim on the journey of life. Be the sort of person who finds joy and life in building relationships with those you are walking with on the pilgrim way (see also: The Road to Emmaus). Have a heart for sharing the love of God you have come to know. Be able to laugh at yourself and don’t be afraid to make a fool of yourself – sadly no photographic evidence exists of me on ‘sponge a teacher’ day, but many of our students can attest that I took my fair share of blows!
The school chaplain is a joyful witness of the resurrection in their community. There is a dearth of hope in the present young generation, which we need to have an answer for (we do, and his name is Jesus!) This doesn’t necessarily mean you spend every moment in school talking about Jesus. There are plenty of opportunities for that, such as assemblies and liturgies, but there is also a lot of time simply journeying through the ups and downs of everyday life. As a wise Jesuit priest and former Headteacher once advised me, ‘Spend time with them talking about the things that don’t matter. Then they will come to you to talk about the things that do matter.’
Being a school chaplain has been the greatest joy and privilege of my life so far. So much of the role is discreet, gentle, personal and – to use one of Pope Francis’ favourite words – tender. That might not be captured easily in productivity targets or exam data. But it resonates with Elijah’s encounter with God, in the gentle breeze.
I would absolutely encourage anyone who thinks they might have a heart for school chaplaincy to explore it, perhaps by finding time to shadow a chaplain already in post. The Church needs you!
To find out more about becoming a school chaplain, please contact your diocese.
Harry Rawcliffe is on the far left in the picture above, taken during events to mark World Youth Day, in Portugal, 2023.
New guidance for schools to support children with a parent in prison
Children in England with a parent in prison have access to more support with a new, dedicated resource pack for schools and educational settings.
The new toolkit provides advice and support for teachers who have children in their classes with a parent in prison. It seeks to foster understanding about the issue in schools and to ensure that young people affected by imprisonment know that there is help available for them. The toolkit has been produced by national Catholic charity Pact, the Prison Advice and Care Trust.
With the prison population across England & Wales near a record high, so too is the number of children being affected by the imprisonment of a parent. It’s estimated that around 100,000 children have a father or mother behind bars right now and research estimates that around 1 in 15 children (7%) will experience a parent’s imprisonment at some point during their time at school.
Many children with a parent in prison go on to lead positive and fulfilling lives. However, a range of research shows that they are more likely to suffer from problems later in life, including mental health problems, homelessness and poverty.
The new toolkit provides teachers with a range of resources to support children affected by imprisonment. It seeks to give teachers the confidence to create a space for the whole class to discuss the issue and allows fellow students to empathise with children who are affected and find ways to support them.
Aimee Hutchinson, Children and Young People Lead at Pact, said:“The imprisonment of a father or mother can have a devastating impact on children and young people. With the right support, children with a parent in prison will go on to lead happy and fulfilling lives. However, it’s a sad fact that they face more challenges than many other children and that there remains a real stigma around having a family member in prison.
“We hope this new guidance will support teachers to have an open and constructive discussion about these issues that affect many thousands of children and young people every year.”
“Our students never cease to amaze me” – what it’s like working in a Catholic special needs school
St Rose’s is a non-maintained, all through school in Stroud, Clifton Diocese, for students with special educational needs and disabilities. St Martin’s, a specialist college for those aged 19-25, is also based within the school grounds.
Over a hundred years ago a child with special needs, who could not be accommodated in a parish school, was left with the Dominican Sisters of St Rose’s Convent in Stroud. This led the Sisters to found St Rose’s School in 1912 – one of the very first special schools in the country.
In 1973 Mother Teresa, later canonised as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, heard about the children’s efforts to raise money for her work by holding a sponsored silence and she visited the school later that year. Today, students continue to raise money for charities.
St Rose’s is part of the parish of The Church of the Immaculate Conception, and has an accessible chapel on site. It was rated as ‘Outstanding’ in its latest Catholic Schools Inspectorate report. The school community is active in participating in Mass and liturgical celebrations, even though many are not Catholics, but understand the school’s heritage and value of its mission of the word of Christ and his teachings.
Long service
Sheila Talwar (pictured) is Principal of St Rose’s and St Martin’s and remembers volunteering to support St Rose’s students who travelled to a local school in Gloucester to use the swimming pool for hydrotherapy.
She said: “My first contact was while volunteering in the sixth form. Visiting St Rose’s as a school student I knew that I always wanted to work with children with disabilities.”
In January 1977 the forward-thinking Sisters took on Sheila as their first occupational therapy student, therapists being unusual at the time for special schools. After passing her exams Sheila returned as maternity cover, then on a more permanent basis as part of a job share.
As well as meeting students’ educational potential, enabling independence is a key part of the curriculum, teaching life skills such as nutrition, money management and time management, while wheelchair-accessible transport provides opportunities for trips to go shopping, ice skating, and more. Other activities students enjoy include horse riding, yoga, and swimming in the St Rose’s hydrotherapy pool.
In the past students enjoyed trips to Stoke Mandeville Stadium, birthplace of the Paralympic Games, to watch and participate in athletics events. Some have gone on to take part in national and international sporting competitions, including winning the London Mini Marathon wheelchair race.
Over the years St Rose’s has also taken students to pop concerts such as Meat Loaf, Madness, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson and Musical Youth.
“In those days you could go backstage and meet musicians,” Sheila said, “we ended up playing piggy-back races with members of Musical Youth. We even met Stevie Wonder! More recently we have taken students to the WOMAD music festival and Cheltenham Jazz Festival which was a truly sensory experience.”
The Sisters soon asked Sheila to head the sixth form, which involved being responsible for a mix of therapy as well as education, and 15 years later Sheila took on the role of Head of Care.
St Martin’s
After sixth form, students used to leave St Rose’s and go on to other specialist, secular, colleges elsewhere. This led to the establishment just over a decade ago of St Martin’s, a residential college built on the school grounds which includes a work-related learning and careers programme, work experience placements, and mentoring.
Sheila said: “The thing for me is how important it is our students have the opportunities that mainstream children have. In the past, our young people have been able to go to university and have careers, such as qualifying as a social worker, or working for the BBC, and one student became a member of the Para Orchestra. These days our students have more complex needs, and our focus is on preparing them for their adult lives with as much independence as possible.”
Over the years she has seen many changes, such as a move away from students sleeping in dormitories and spending entire terms staying on site. Today, most residential students go home every fortnight, both to spend time with their families and to stay on the local authority’s radar for support services.
Changing needs
Students also have physical and health needs that are more challenging than in the past. Advances in medical technology have improved survival rates of preterm babies and children after severe trauma or illness.
Sheila said: “Our aim is to help each of our students recognise their unique worth in the eyes of God. The value our students bring to the world and the part they play in society cannot be measured, they really are quite amazing in what they achieve.
“Some students might have been to other schools where they don’t have speech and language technology, then come here and learn to communicate, to read and take a more active role in their lives, it’s just awe-inspiring.
“Our students never cease to amaze me. From learning to walk, to learning to use a communication aid, to running a tuck shop or learning phonics, the students are endlessly determined and creative in the ways they learn and develop. What our students do on a daily basis is phenomenal.”
Building the future
A fundraising campaign launched in 2019 by Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards continued throughout all the restrictions of the pandemic, eventually raising £1.5million and culminating in the opening in May 2022 of Quentin House, a new residential block.
Students benefit from bespoke bedrooms and enjoy preparing food in an adapted kitchen. Short stays for day pupils additionally help to develop their independence.
The next stage of the campaign, titled St Rose’s 2030, is to update older buildings, and expand St Martin’s, with £250,000 pledged so far towards a target of £1.8million.
Find out more about St Rose’s and St Martin’s, and to make a donation please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Catholic over-representation among trainee teachers - data
Catholic schools are producing disproportionately more trainee teachers, due in part to recruiting their own pupils — and parents.
Three Catholic secondaries in Surrey have supplied 13 out of 80, or 16%, of student teachers at a major training provider for the South East thanks to a drive for recruiting among current and former pupils and parents. Catholic schools represent 9% of state-funded education in England.
Xavier Catholic Education Trust, made up of those three secondary schools as well as 12 primaries in the county, also encompasses Xavier Teaching School Hub and Xavier Teach SouthEast, an Ofsted outstanding-rated initial teacher training (ITT) provider serving the region.
James Kibble is Chief Executive Officer of Xavier Catholic Education Trust, and former Headteacher of Salesian School, a mixed Catholic comprehensive for 1,800 pupils aged 11-18, in Chertsey, in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. He said that Salesian School has historically looked to within for new trainee teachers, including even recruiting three parents of former students for the current intake.
“We’ve always had it - I don’t really know how schools survive if they’re not looking to the long term.
“It started with the sixth form, offering opportunities to try out being a teaching assistant in a secondary or a local primary,” he said. “We talk to the students about their career programme, about locations, and involve specialists in teaching up to when they leave.
“We try to be as creative as possible. When there have been real shortages, we look at subject lists of pupils for those with potential and give them experience. If they’re good enough they’re taken on as unqualified graduate teachers to be trained through the year. Some former pupils are assistant headteachers now, it can make you feel old!
“It’s through keeping in touch — we stay in contact, but it’s really in the second year of university that they’re asked to think about it. We get them on an internship for four weeks in the summer term, and interview them before they leave for their third year of university, then have them back as a graduate teaching assistant while they’re deciding. They might then enter the programme, though some go straight into Initial Teacher Training.”
Case study: Ellie O’Connor (pictured) is a former Salesian School pupil undertaking a teacher training course with Xavier Teach SouthEast.
She described her time at the school as being very much part of a community, which proved its worth during the pandemic when her graphic design course at university went entirely online and she wanted some practical experience. Her old art teacher suggested applying for an art technician vacancy at Salesian.
Ellie said: “Once I started working there I really enjoyed helping students unlock their creative potential and come up with new ideas, as well as sharing my subject knowledge on different artists and techniques.
“Coming back to this community and being able to be a part of the teaching side and getting to work alongside so many inspiring teachers that helped me through my GCSEs, A-Levels and young adult life was really what pushed me to go on and do my SCITT training with Teach South East — I wanted to make a difference to someone else's life, like my teachers had made to mine.
“Now I am an art teacher in my first year as an ECT and my head of department taught me all the way from Year 7 to 13, so to be able to work closely alongside someone my parents trusted with my education has been amazing.
“I would encourage anyone to get into teaching, it's such a rewarding job and I feel so lucky that I get to teach at my old school.”
Ultimately, for Xavier it’s a matter of long-term forward planning and collaboration between academy trusts, schools and parishes for this Catholic approach to new teacher recruitment.
James said: “It’s obviously a long game, of at least four or five years. Particularly if you want people who understand your Catholic ethos, who better than the pupils who’ve been steeped in it throughout their education?
“Before it was more about encouragement, but now we have a huge emphasis, we had to be a lot more structured about it and it’s grown and grown.”
Winners announced in Columban competition for Catholic schools
Winners have been announced in a media competition for young people on the subject ‘Biodiversity Matters,’ run by the Columban Missionary Society in Britain and Ireland. The announcement day - 21 March - is the UN’s International Day of Forests.
Young people 13-18 years were asked to produce a piece of writing or image that demonstrates an awareness and understanding of the issue of biodiversity and highlight people, communities and/or organisations trying to build a sustainable future. Protecting biodiversity - which humanity relies on for health, food and well-being - is a mission priority of the Columbans.
The competition attracted 223 entries across Britain and Ireland.
In Britain, entries from 29 schools were judged by media experts who praised the high quality of all the entries shortlisted: Ruth Gledhill (Assistant Editor at The Tablet), Josephine Siedlecka (Founder and Editor of Independent Catholic News - ICN), Jao Resari (Columban lay missionary in Taiwan and an artist), and James Trewby (Columban Education Worker). Mary Colwell, author and champion for curlew recovery and nature education provided expertise on the theme. “We were very happy with the quality of entries and I was amazed at their energy and thoughtfulness,” said James Trewby, Columban Education Worker in Britain.
The winning article came from Austin Beenham of Holy Cross Catholic High School in Chorley, Lancashire. It was described by Ruth Gledhill of The Tablet as “an outstanding piece which incorporates calls to action, strong arguments and personal experience along with knowledge and accurate citation of Catholic Social Thought.” Austin himself said, “I am very thankful that I have been able to raise awareness on the biodiversity crisis and hopefully made a difference.”
Second and third were Anna Cookson of Notre Dame Sixth Form College in Leeds and Sarah Ashcroft of Loreto Grammer School in Altrincham. Justine Barlow, Principal of Notre Dame College said, “it is fantastic news; what an achievement for Anna to come second in this important competition.”
Becki Bradbury of the RE Department at Loreto, one of many RE teachers who promoted the competition, congratulated Sarah and said, “we feel that the competition has allowed our students to fully consider the issue of biodiversity within our world and engage with Pope Francis' Laudato Si' letter which serves as a reminder to all of us how important care for our common home is.”
With her winning image (pictured, below), Chidera Anyakora, also from the Loreto School in Altrincham, said, “In this piece I wanted to present a diverse range of wildlife that mirrors the diverse and unique nature of our world as biodiversity can come in different forms.” Judge Mary Colwell said: “I really liked the imaginative approach and the message. By using the image of a heart wrapped in nature, it made the point that saving the natural world is as much about the heart as about rational thinking and science. That is the message of Laudato Si, too. And I like the variety of creatures used.” Josephine Siedlecka of Independent Catholic News felt the image showed “love of the world.”
Second in the images category (pictured, below) was an entry from Megan-Rose Ibus, of Loreto College, in St Albans.
The third winning image (pictured below) was by Charlotte Moyes of St Edward’s in Poole. Megan commented that, “beauty lies in diversity”. Charlotte said that in her hourglass drawing, “I wanted to show how time was ticking and that we urgently need to make a change and raise awareness about the impact we are having on biodiversity and that we should all play our part to protect our planet for future generations.”
The Columbans thanked all the young people who entered the 2024 competition and the judging panel. Former Columban competitions have focused on Climate Change, Migration, Throwaway Culture, Racism, 21st Century Changemakers and Peace.
Catholic schools educate 50% more of the most deprived pupils than the state
Catholic schools take in 50% more pupils from the most deprived backgrounds than the state sector, according to the latest data.
Just under a fifth of all pupils in Catholic statutory education meet the highest national deprivation criteria, compared to a 12.8% England average. Similarly, a quarter fewer pupils from the more affluent areas attend Catholic schools.
Free school meals are available for parents on benefits, but continue after household income rises above eligibility criteria.
The number of Catholic school pupils on free school meals is marginally lower than the national average, as many parents are ineligible due to immigration status or low-paid employment, with barriers to take-up including the complexity of applications and financial privacy concerns.
Pupils from ethnic minorities make up 45.5% of the Catholic school population, compared to an England state school average of 37.4% — for Wales the Catholic figure is 35.6%, and the Welsh average 14.3%.
There are 2,169 Catholic schools in England and Wales, educating more than 850,000 pupils, making up 9% of the state-funded sector. The Catholic Church is the biggest provider of secondary education and the second-largest provider of primary education overall. There are also four Catholic universities in England.
The figures come from the annual census of Catholic schools and academies conducted by the Catholic Education Service (CES), which acts on behalf of the Catholic Bishops' Conference and has supported Catholic education since 1847.
Paul Barber, CES Director, said: “Many Catholic schools were established to help poor immigrant families during the nineteenth century, and this tradition of providing education for those most in need has continued ever since.
“Today Catholic education outperforms national GCSE averages for English, Maths and Religious Education by up to seven percentage points, a testament to the sector’s success given the much higher proportion of pupils coming from the most deprived households in the country.”
A total of 56.4% of pupils in Catholic schools are of the faith, as are 43% of the 51,650 staff employed. Of the 334,273 non-Catholic pupils, just under half are from other Christian denominations. The largest non-Christian religion represented is Islam, with 10.8% of non-Catholic pupils being Muslim.
Only 0.04% of pupils are withdrawn from acts of collective worship such as Mass and prayers in assemblies.
Catholic schools continue to convert into becoming Catholic academies, with a 13% increase in the past year. There are now 921 Catholic academies in England, run by 79 multi-academy trusts, with 46% of Catholic state-funded schools being academies.
Read the reports on schools, colleges and academies for England and for Wales.
Image by Mazur/CBCEW
What does Vatican II say about education?
By Paul Barber, Director, Catholic Education Service
Many parishes have been marking the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council by offering introductory courses on its content and impact on Catholic faith.
While liturgical changes are among the most conspicuous of the Council’s legacies, the Declaration on Christian Education, known as Gravissimum Educationis (roughly ‘the importance of education’), provides a glimpse back to an era haunted by war and ideological division. The document subsequently informed much of current canon law on education.
The Second Vatican Council produced three levels of teaching document, the four Constitutions being the most significant, overarching and developed; nine Decrees dealt with specific areas; while the three Declarations were shorter and for topics where less had been previously published.
What emerged is a Catholic exposition of education, a field in which the Church had expertise since its beginnings, but before the twentieth century had yet to articulate in quite such a formal way. The contemporary context for Gravissimum Educationis, though, was shaped by a generation in the shadow of two world wars, and with the European and Asian continents still militarily and ideologically divided.
State control
Throughout much of European history, the principal providers of education, beyond parents, were not governments but churches.
The French Revolution, however, saw the seizure of assets such as Church colleges and the dismissal of priests and religious as teachers. Some of these crossed the Channel to found schools and colleges in England. In the new Republic, the government acted to fill the gap it had created with a secular monopoly on education. These new ideas about the role of the State started to spread across continental Europe, and were consolidated in the nineteenth century.
The 1920s and 1930s saw the rise of totalitarianism in other parts of Europe, and the further spread of secular State monopolisation in schools. In 1929 Pope Pius XI reacted by setting out the respective roles of Church and State in the encyclical letter On Christian Education, known as Divini Illius Magistri (‘the divine teacher’), and again in On the Church and the German Reich, known as Mit Brennender Sorge (‘with burning concern’), in 1937.
After the Second World War the Soviet Union expanded its atheist State monopoly in education across two continents. This was the context in which the Second Vatican Council’s discussions took place.
Rights and responsibilities
In 1959, shortly after his election, Pope John XXIII announced an ecumenical council to ‘discern the signs of the time’. Gravissimum Educationis was approved by his successor Pope Paul VI in October 1965.
Although mainly concerned with schools, the Declaration also refers to colleges and universities. Several themes run through the document, namely the nature of education and the universal right to it, along with the duties and rights of parents, the Church, Catholic schools and civil society.
The Declaration begins by outlining the significance of education and welcoming its growth in modern society, while acknowledging that there were still many in the world without even rudimentary training.
True education is defined as the complete formation of the whole person, ordered towards the pupil’s eternal destiny, as well as the common good of society. The harmonious development of physical, moral and
intellectual talents, nurturing a sense of responsibility and the right use of freedom and formation to take an active part in social life are key components.
Christ at the Centre
Within a universal right to education for all, Christians have a right to a Christian education, to assist them to become mature Christian adults and thereby to help shape the world.
Parents have a serious obligation to educate their children, and the right to be recognised and assisted by the State as their ‘primary and principal educators’. Parents must be ‘truly free to choose according to their conscience the schools they want for their children’ and governments should ‘always keep in mind the principle of subsidiarity so that there is no kind of school monopoly.’
The Church has, in a special way, the duty of educating in the light of its divine mission to help all to arrive at the fullness of Christian life. This is especially so regarding ‘the needs of those who are poor in the goods of this world or who are deprived of the assistance and affection of a family or who are strangers to the gift of Faith.’
The ministry of teachers is a true apostolate and a service to society. They have the greatest possible influence in enabling a Catholic school to achieve its purposes.
Adult education
The Declaration briefly covers further and higher education. Catholic colleges and universities are to ensure that proper freedom of enquiry lead to a deeper understanding of how faith and reason accord in one truth.
Such institutions should be opened around the world, particularly enabling those of slender means in emerging nations to attend.
There should also be Catholic spiritual assistance offered in non-Catholic higher education, that today has taken the form of university chaplaincies. Similarly, on non-Catholic and Catholic campuses alike, students of ability who seem suited for it ‘should be specially helped and encouraged to undertake a teaching career,’ in anticipation of the ongoing need for teacher recruitment.
Conclusion
We are fortunate to have built a Catholic education system in this country which reflects the principles of Gravissimum Educationis — 2,169 Catholic schools alongside others offer parents a real choice of schools. Catholic schools’ GCSE RE results are also the best in the country. There are four Catholic universities, all of which started as teacher training colleges, as well as ecclesiastical faculties and institutes of higher studies.
Mission runs clear throughout Gravissimum Educationis. The message of parental freedom of choice outlasted the Soviet Union, finding itself echoed in the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998. But continual vigilance is necessary, as is seen by the emergence of the so-called ‘Abidjan Principles’ on the international stage. They demonstrate that, six decades on, the idea of a State monopoly in education which this this insightful document of the Second Vatican Council warns against have not gone away.
Mission Together gets ready to celebrate the first World Children’s Day
Mission Together, the children’s branch of Missio, the Pope’s charity for overseas mission, is helping children to join with their global sisters and brothers to celebrate World Children’s Day in their school or parish.
The Catholic Church’s first World Children’s Day will take place on 25-26 May 2024. Pope Francis announced the inauguration of this special day on 8 December 2023 at the end of the Angelus.
The concept came from a nine-year-old boy, Alessandro, who, just a few months earlier had written to Pope Francis with an idea to bring children together from different countries for a special event. Alessandro’s hope was that the children could get to know one another, play and pray together, and become friends.
Alessandro’s idea leans into the practice of accompaniment, which Pope Francis says is at the centre of being a missionary disciple. For the Holy Father, accompaniment means encountering others and listening to them so that we can form connections, build relationships, and reflect the love of Jesus to them.
World Children’s Day invites children from around the globe, including those from areas of conflict and children of different faiths, to join together as sisters and brothers. Although the event focus will take place in Rome,
Pope Francis calls on Catholics around the globe to celebrate this special event in their own Diocese too.
Cardinal Mendonça, World Children’s Day Director, said: "World Children’s Day is an occasion to put children, who are the present and the future of humanity, back at the centre of the world's attention.
"It offers children the possibility to become protagonists through moments of prayer, friendship, and formation."
As Catholic schools in England and Wales are significantly more ethnically diverse than the state school averages within England and in Wales, World Children’s Day provides a great opportunity to celebrate the many cultures within Catholic school communities and remind pupils, parents, and staff that we all belong to God’s global family.
To help schools celebrate World Children’s Day, Mission Together has produced several free resources. These include an introductory assembly, Celebration of the Word, Activities, Celebrating our Cultures ideas sheet, Virtual map Explorer Worksheets, and more.
All Mission Together resources aim to help children recognise themselves as members of God’s global family, working in solidarity for the benefit of all, with a special concern for those living in poverty. Supporting Mission Together through prayers and donations helps to provide feeding programmes, residential care, and educational, pastoral, and spiritual support to some of the world’s poorest children.
Download the free World Children Day resources
If you are interested in becoming a Mission Together volunteer, please contact Claire at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
'There is a pressing need for chaplaincy to inspire a renewed passion for the Mass': a school chaplain in Leeds diocese explains his vocation
My name is Alex Hill (pictured, left), and I am the Lay Chaplain at Holy Family Catholic School in Keighley. I am 25 years young and have a passion for guiding and supporting our students on their spiritual journeys.
I became a Chaplain in a school because I have a passion for supporting and guiding young people through their spiritual and emotional journeys. My desire to provide a safe and nurturing space for students, where they can explore their beliefs, seek guidance, and find comfort during difficult times, motivated me to take on this role. I see it as an opportunity to make a positive impact on students' lives and help them navigate the complexities of adolescence with compassion and understanding all the while helping them journey to a closer relationship with Christ and the Father.
I received similar support myself from a Chaplain when I was younger and was inspired to pay it forward and provide students with the same compassionate guidance and understanding that helped me during my formative years.
My time spent in retreat centres across the country not only deepened my personal connection with Christ but also ignited a desire to share this transformative experience with others. Inspired by the profound sense of peace and spiritual growth I found in these retreats, I am dedicated to creating similar opportunities for students to encounter Christ and explore their faith in meaningful and profound ways.
I received two years of professional training at Maryvale University in Birmingham in youth ministry and school chaplaincy, where I was equipped with the necessary tools and experience. Drawing from my own experiences and the expertise gained through my training, I’m committed to providing compassionate support and guidance to students as they navigate their own spiritual paths.
As a Chaplain in a school, I recognise the need to modernise our approach to chaplaincy while still honouring and celebrating the rich traditions of the Catholic Church. Understanding that young people are drawn to authenticity, passion, and personal testimony, I strive to create a dynamic and engaging environment where these values are embraced. I encourage innovative approaches to faith formation and spiritual growth while ensuring that the timeless traditions and beliefs of the Catholic Church are respected and upheld. My goal is to foster a balanced and inclusive spiritual community where students can explore and deepen their faith with reverence and authenticity.
Chaplaincy in schools faces challenges due to the allure of modern life and the absence of a strong connection with Christ through regular mass attendance at home. There is a pressing need for chaplaincy to inspire a renewed passion for the Mass and foster a continued relationship with Christ beyond the school grounds. As a chaplain, I aim to bridge this gap by creating opportunities for students to experience the richness and relevance of the Mass in their daily lives. Through engaging liturgies, meaningful reflections, and intentional discipleship, I seek to cultivate a deeper understanding of the Eucharist and its significance in nurturing a personal relationship with Christ. My goal is to empower students to carry the spirit of the Mass with them beyond the school walls, fostering a lifelong journey of faith and spiritual growth.
To find out more about becoming a school chaplain, please contact your diocese.
CES statement on Ofsted's 'Deep and meaningful? The religious education subject report'
The CES welcomes the very thorough and research-grounded subject report on Religious Education (RE) that Ofsted has published today (17 April).
The report includes a clear articulation of what good quality RE looks like in schools without a religious character but also offers some significant criticisms of RE and its teaching.
Catholic school RE results at GCSE are up to seven percentage points above the national average, with around a quarter of all those nationally taking RE GCSE being pupils in Catholic education.
By law, Catholic schools in England teach a Catholic RE curriculum which is inspected independently of Ofsted. A new Religious Education Directory and model curriculum were published last year.
Philip Robinson, Catholic Schools Inspectorate Chief Inspector, said: “We welcome this report – and the recent return of bursaries for RE teacher training. While the report does not speak to RE specifically in Catholic schools it is heartening that many of the criticisms of the quality of RE taught elsewhere are not typically true of Catholic education.
“We anticipate this progress will continue as schools implement the new Religious Education Directory and model curriculum.”
Statement on government proposals to remove admissions cap for new academies
The Right Reverend Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds and Chairman of the Catholic Education Service (CES), has welcomed the decision by the Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, to lift the cap on new free schools in England.
The decision paves the way for Catholic free schools to open, having previously been excluded under the 50 percent cap or ‘rule’ which would have forced schools to turn away some Catholic pupils.
Bishop Stock said:“These proposals are welcome. Dioceses are well placed to respond to differing local educational demands around the country, including the provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Parents can welcome this also.
“Catholic education not only provides a high performing school sector and promotes the formation of children in values and virtues; it is more ethnically diverse than other schools, educates more pupils from the most deprived backgrounds, and builds social cohesion within our communities.”
The Department for Education also has plans to enable new faith-based academies for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The Catholic Church has a long history of SEND provision, and at present there are seven non-maintained Catholic SEND schools, three other independent Catholic SEND schools, and 16 other Catholic independent schools which are approved for SEND provision.
Find out about the work of St Rose’s, a SEND all-through school in Stroud, Clifton Diocese, and St Vincent’s, a school for visually impaired children in the Archdiocese of Liverpool.
Consultation
The decision is subject to a seven-week public consultation that closes on 20 June – take part in the consultation here.
Eteach revolutionises Catholic school recruitment with CES-approved online application form
Catholic schools can now benefit from the latest application technology when attracting new staff, boosting their application rates without forgoing any of the data required as best practice.
The Catholic Education Service (CES) has worked hand-in-hand with Eteach, a leading provider of EdTech software and services, to deliver a new best-practice online application form for Catholic schools that is fully optimised for mobile.
Traditionally, Catholic schools have relied on downloadable forms, coupled with additional documents that must be uploaded separately. Recognising the need for a more efficient solution, Eteach embarked on a mission to simplify and enhance the application experience for both candidates and recruitment teams, while still meeting the unique data capture requirements of Catholic schools. The form has been developed in close collaboration with the CES and marks a significant advancement in streamlining the recruitment process for Catholic institutions.
“The CES has worked with Eteach to ensure that its application forms are suitable for use in Catholic schools,” said Paul Barber, Director of the CES. “We are also delighted that Churchmarketplace has included Eteach in its procurement framework for Catholic schools, to help support teacher and support staff recruitment.”
The partnership recently announced the launch of their groundbreaking new online application form as part of a host of new features Eteach is offering, tailored specifically for Catholic schools.
“We are delighted to introduce the latest product upgrade to our award-winning Applicant Tracking System (ATS) - our CES-approved online application form, specifically designed to meet the unique needs of Catholic schools,” said Paul Howells, Founder and CEO of Eteach.
“The whole initiative ensures a seamless journey for candidates, ultimately fostering a faster, more efficient application process. It’s clear that by using technology effectively, schools will lessen the impact of staff shortages and reduce costs.This is the culmination of many hours of work by the CES and Eteach, defining requirements and developing the system to make school recruitment more efficient, whilst keeping quality and safety at the top of their priorities.”
Key features of the new online application form include:
- Mobile optimisation, catering to the 70% of job seekers who apply via mobile devices.
- Customised fields to capture essential information specific to Catholic school roles, such as religious denomination and qualifications.
- Integration of required supporting documents within the form, eliminating the need for separate uploads.
- Built-in Equal Opportunities Monitoring form to uphold fairness and transparency in recruitment practices.
- Fully translated into Welsh to accommodate schools in Welsh-speaking communities.
Additional features within the Eteach product set are designed to improve the SEO performance of Catholic schools, enhance the candidate journey for applicants looking for roles in any faith-based school and to build a talent pool for Catholic educators UK wide.
Moreover, Eteach has joined forces with Churchmarketplace, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting products and services for Catholic institutions. As an official supplier of recruitment software, Eteach will offer the CES-approved online application form as part of their comprehensive annual licence package, available at exclusive rates for Catholic schools, colleges, and trusts.
“We are delighted to be working with Eteach to drive up applications for vacancies in our Catholic schools for teaching and support staff posts nationwide.” Said Jenny Booth, Director of Churchmarketplace.
Over 400 current Eteach partners are benefiting from the new online application form already. For the wider Catholic education community, the form will be accessible as part of an Eteach annual licence.
To learn more about Eteach's advertising and recruitment software for Catholic education, visit Eteach or Churchmarketplace.
Election 2024 - education
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:14-15
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
Proverbs 4:13
The political community has a duty to honour the family, to assist it, and to ensure especially: … the freedom to profess one’s faith, to hand it on, and raise one’s children in it, with the necessary means and institutions…
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2211
Background
As a religious community we value our partnership with successive governments in England and Wales in the provision of Catholic education. Its fruit is the more than 2,100 nurseries, schools, special schools, independent schools, colleges, and universities which make the Catholic Church the second-largest provider of education in the country, and with the biggest network of academies.
Catholic schools exist to support parents as the primary educators of their children and welcome anyone who seeks a Catholic education for their child. Rapidly expanded in the 19th century to meet the needs of the growing urban population, today Catholic schools make up 9% of the state-funded sector and are considerably more ethnically diverse than the national average. They take in more pupils from the poorest households and outperform state schools by up to seven percentage points at GCSE English, Mathematics and Religious Education.
The Catholic community provides a significant financial contribution to the government in rent-free provision of land and buildings for schools, and by contributing to capital costs saves taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds.
This 177 years of partnership with the State has resulted in a legal foundation which protects the core principles of Catholic education. Amongst these are the ability to give priority in admissions to Catholic children; the right of bishops to appoint a majority of school governors; the right to reserve senior leadership posts for Catholics; and the legal right to teach, inspect and set the curriculum for Religious Education in Catholic schools.
Catholic education is popular with parents and successful in preparing pupils for life in modern Britain. However, there are campaigns to get rid of schools with a religious character, and to change the curriculum so that our schools would no longer be Catholic.
Action
The sector is successful because of the hundreds of thousands of teachers, leaders, parents and volunteers but it still requires a Government to safeguard a Catholic approach:
- The Government should support Catholic schools through policy and legislation which protects the legal foundations of this historic sector.
- The Government should work closely with the Catholic sector to use best practice and ensure that the existing Catholic approach to governance, admissions, inspections, and the curriculum continues to flourish.
- Whilst acknowledging the essential work of educational practitioners, the Government should recognise that parents are the first and primary educators of their children and ensure that this right permeates through all education policy.
What are your candidate’s views?
You may want to consider these questions when speaking to candidates seeking election.
- Do they support the creation of new Catholic schools, including new Catholic Special Schools, through the removal of the cap on faith-based admissions?
- Will they protect current admissions arrangements in Catholic schools?
- Do they recognise the importance of Catholic leaders, teachers and governors in maintaining the Catholic school ethos?
- What support will they give to raising the importance of Religious Education?
- How will they safeguard parents’ rights as the primary educators including their right to withdraw their child from Relationships and Sex education and Religious Education?
Resources
Christ at the Centre – Why the Church Provides Catholic Schools
Catholic Education in England and Wales
Catholic Schools: Partners in Formation – Celebrating 175 Years of the Catholic Education Service
The Code of Canon Law: Catholic Education
“Catholic parents also have the duty and right of choosing those means and institutions through which they can provide more suitably for the Catholic education of their children, according to local circumstances.”
Code of Canon Law 1983, canon 793 §1
For further information on the election, please visit the Bishops' Conference website.
Pilgrims of hope - creating a culture of chaplaincy
Many of the 2,169 Catholic schools, colleges and academies in England and Wales employ chaplains to address the social, emotional and spiritual needs of students and staff.
However, a lack of career progression and limited pay can result in low numbers of applicants for school chaplaincy vacancies, with chaplains stretched between multiple sites, and who then move on to jobs with better prospects.
Tom Baptist is Director of Chaplaincy at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust. In collaboration with the Diocese of Nottingham Education Service, he has highlighted and addressed this issue by establishing a career pathway from apprentice level up to a regional chaplaincy director.
Within this innovative structure a lay chaplain support staff post has been created to avoid teaching assistants taking on pastoral duties beyond their role.
This new post provides formal recognition for their work, an improved salary, and potential career progression into school chaplaincy.
The school chaplains are supported by the education structure in Nottingham Diocese, with all 84 of its state-funded Catholic schools within three multi-academy trusts (MATs).
Consistent pay and conditions are ensured by the diocesan Human Resources Director who oversees all three MATs.
Further detail is available within the presentation downloadable below, which has been kindly provided by Tom.
Southwark Archdiocese: award-winning authors at Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership Primary Children’s Conference
On Wednesday 5 June, after an entire year of planning and preparation, Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership (KCSP) held our first ever children’s conference for 793 Year 5 pupils and we are so proud to say that it was one of our biggest and most successful events to date!
Working with Ellie and Zoe at Speaking of Books, who specialise in bringing together children with leading writers, illustrators and storytellers, we were lucky enough to have some incredibly special guests join us: author and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, spoken word poet (and expert digeridoo player!) Zohab Zee Khan, bestselling and award-winning Kent-based author Lucy Strange, and award-winning illustrator Chanté Timothy.
Our guests ran a series of fun and engaging workshops for our pupils, inspiring them, teaching them some new brilliant skills and ways of writing, telling stories, and how to express themselves through spoken and written word.
Our grateful thanks go to our host schools, St John’s Catholic Primary School, and St John’s Catholic Comprehensive School, in Gravesend; they were warm and welcoming, cheerfully accommodating two giant marquees, four very special guests, 18 coaches, 118 staff, and, not to mention, 793 pupils!
Our pupils had a wonderful day that we know they will remember for a very, very long time to come, and we cannot wait to hold our next conference, so please watch this space!
Charlotte Robinson
Executive Director of Governance and Company Secretary
Kent Catholic Schools' Partnership
Formatio Teaching Internship Programme: grow your own trainee teachers
The Formatio partnership supports the Catholic Education Service and diocesan schools commissions in implementing strategies for school leadership and governance, as commissioned by the Bishops in 2017.
Its strategic priorities are teacher recruitment, particularly in Religious Education, as well as developing Catholic leadership and the training of multi-academy trust (MAT) staff.
Formatio is made up of four regional hubs comprising partnerships of the dioceses, MATs and the four Catholic universities.
Formatio's South West Regional Hub has identified the need to recruit excellent candidates into Catholic schools both to ensure exceptional Catholic education for children and to grow a rich source of future Catholic leaders.
This led to encouraging and enthusing current students to explore teaching as a career and consider the benefits of working in Catholic schools. The Teaching Internship Programme provides two main resources.
The first is the Be the Difference video, which you can stream to watch at the bottom of this page. It captures the experience of students and staff in three Catholic schools from across the Southwest Partnership.
Pupils from year 3 to year 11 explain what makes their school special and teachers from all phases speak passionately about their experience of teaching in Catholic schools. This includes a four-minute taster version of short soundbites, and a 13-minute version of more in-depth interviews. Both are included in the Year 12 programme but could be used independently for Catholic teacher recruitment purposes.
The second resource is a sample strategy with written resources for schools and colleges to follow together with supporting materials. This resource has been produced in text with few photographs and without any branding, to enable staff to download and add their school’s own templates, stories, images and local context.
These two resources are intended to encourage more candidates into the teaching profession and raise awareness of the benefits of working in the Catholic sector. The target audiences for the video resources range from sixth form students, undergraduates, current teachers in other schools or not currently teaching and parishioners interested in a career in teaching. The written resources are linked to the sample strategy that begins with Year 12 students, although they could be adapted for use with any of those target audiences.
The resources can be downloaded below.