CEC Report 2008-11

Catholic Education Commission Scottish Catholic Education Service

August 2011

Report on the activities of

13th Catholic Education Commission and the

Scottish Catholic Education Service 2008-2011

Background The Catholic Education Commission (CEC) was first founded in 1972 and its principal function is to advise the Bishops of Scotland on all matters pertaining to education. Commission members are nominated by each Diocese and by other bodies and are appointed by the Bishops’ Conference for a three year period.

In 2003 the Bishops’ Conference established the Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES) to provide a full-time professional service to support and promote Catholic education in Scotland. Its function is to address the strategic priorities set by the CEC and to be the main point of contact for anyone seeking information about Catholic education in Scotland.

The 13th Catholic Education Commission operated from September 2008 to June 2011. It met in Plenary session on 9 occasions, in Stirling, Coatbridge and Glasgow. During that period, its Executive Committee held meetings on 17 occasions to monitor progress and to plan further action.

Over three years, 15 working groups, involving 125 people - teachers, clergy, parents and University colleagues - contributed to the work of the Commission. SCES is staffed by 1 Director, 1 Personal Assistant and 1 part-time (0.2 fte) Religious Education Adviser.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION COMMISSION and Scottish Catholic Education Service

page 2 Report on 13th Catholic Education Commission and Scottish Catholic Education Service 2008-2011

Introduction This report offers a compact but comprehensive review of the activities undertaken under the auspices of the 13th Catholic Education Commission. The report conveys a clear sense of the range and depth of the work done by the Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES) to promote and support Catholic Education in our country. It also points to a number of strategic issues which seem likely to require the attention of the next Commission.

The success of our efforts may be attributed in large measure to the co-operation and support of the many colleagues referred to in this report as our ‘external’ and ‘internal’ partners. Our engagement with all these partners has been characterised by courtesy, goodwill and professionalism. On the Commission’s behalf, I wish to thank all those who have given so generously of their time, their labour and their advice to enable us to promote excellence in Catholic education. I very much hope that our partners will be as generous in their support of the work of the 14th Commission.

Finally, I wish to acknowledge the great debt we owe to the staff at SCES for the truly outstanding contribution they make to Catholic education in Scotland, and beyond. It remains a mystery to me how such a small band of staff can do so much to articulate, support and develop the mission of our Catholic schools. What I do know is that they provide a service of the highest quality, a service which is very much appreciated by colleagues in schools across the country. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to thank them publicly for all they do on our behalf. James McVittie (CEC Chairperson 2008-11)

Membership of the 13th Catholic Education Commission

Name Representing Designation Mr Bert Anderson Diocesan R.E. Advisers Mrs Rosemary Andrew Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh Mr John Brown co-opted Executive Ms Barbara Campbell SCES Rt Rev Joseph Devine Bishops’ Conference of Scotland President Mrs Elizabeth Dornan CHAPS (from September 2010) Mrs Margaret Lavery SCES Executive Sr Patricia Gribben co-opted - ASN Mrs Moira Leck CHAS Ms Ellen McBride Church Representatives Fr Ken McCaffrey Diocese of Dunkeld Vice President Mr Gerard McCormick Diocese of Motherwell Mrs Ann McDermott Diocese of Argyll & Isles Mr Sam McFadden co-opted Mr Michael McGrath SCES Executive Mrs Josie Mackay CHAPS (from Sept. 2009 until June 2010) Dr Stephen McKinney University of Glasgow Executive Fr Michael McMahon Diocese of Paisley Mr James McVittie co-opted Chair Mrs Irene Mulvey Archdiocese of Glasgow Mrs Elizabeth Robertson co-opted Vice Chair Mrs Gemma Rooney Diocese of Galloway

Aims & Achievements 2008-2011 The Commission, at the outset of its period of office, established a set of strategic aims for its work over a three-year period and these were further developed into an action plan. Various members agreed to contribute to the work of one or more working groups At Plenary and Executive meetings of the Commission, reports were provided by members on progress being achieved. This report indicates what we planned to do and what we actually did to achieve these aims, many of which will be carried forward into the work of the 14th Commission.


Report on 13th Catholic Education Commission and Scottish Catholic Education Service 2008-2011 page 3

Aim 1 To ensure the initial provision and continued formation of teachers for Catholic schools across Scotland

what we planned to do what we did

1.1 promote appropriate provision of teachers for Catholic schools

a) survey school staffing figures

b) identify & discuss Government staffing projections

c) discuss workforce planning with Councils

SCES participated in discussions with officials from Scottish Government to ensure that their plans included the availability of sufficient numbers of teachers to match the needs of denominational schools. There is a need to continue with such discussions, given changes to teacher education and professional development and the age profile of the teaching profession.

Staffing figures, being sought from schools on an annual basis, should allow some analysis of changing staffing patterns over time.

1.2 develop recruitment strategies and employment practices

a) develop recruitment literature to promote teaching as a vocation

b) develop strategies to ensure suitable appointments to school leadership posts

c) promote awareness of Approval process with teachers and clergy

d) establish Appeals Panel and train members

SCES continues to encourage the School of Education at the University of Glasgow to provide opportunities for Church representatives to brief Initial Teacher Education students on the mission of Catholic schools.

SCES published “Called to Teach?” recruitment literature and distributed these posters and leaflets to parishes and schools across the country. We shall continue to encourage schools to use these to promote the vocation Catholic teaching and to support students applying for Teacher Education courses.

The Legal Affairs group, building on earlier advice issued to Dioceses, Head Teachers and teachers on the Approval system, encourages Dioceses to ensure that their procedures comply with legal requirements. SCES organised two workshops for Diocesan representatives who process Approval applications. Further updates to procedures are due to be published in August 2011.

Following extensive deliberation, and after taking legal advice, we established a system of Appeal Hearings for teachers who are refused Approval. This has operated since 2010, in which time five appeals have been heard and refused. SCES provides training for volunteers who serve as members of Appeals Panels.

1.3 support development of appropriate Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses

a) contribute to development of ITE programmes (esp. new B.Ed. programme) at University of Glasgow

b) develop policy for placement of students in Catholic schools

c) promote awareness of eCREDL provision and seek financial support for teachers

SCES submitted a response, on behalf of CEC, to consultation which resulted in the publication of the Donaldson Report which will have significant implications for the future of teacher education and professional development. Discussions with Government officials continue on the need for adequate representation on related working groups.

SCES Director has contributed each year to the teaching of various parts of B.Ed. and PGDE courses provided by the School of Education in the University of Glasgow.

Church representatives on the Board of Catholic Education have expressed significant concern at the changing pattern of student intake which has led to reduced numbers of Catholic students enrolled in the B.Ed. course. They have made proposals for the establishment of the St Andrew’s Foundation of Teacher Education to promote the identity of Catholic Teacher Education.

SCES continues to promote CREDL, the distance learning course which provides a qualification for teaching Religious Education in Catholic schools.

1.4 develop quality CPD provision for teachers at all stages

a) develop a range of relevant CPD opportunities

b) explore professional accreditation with GTCS

c) develop CPD opportunities within GLOW

d) develop appropriate Leadership opportunities & support

Each year SCES publishes a CPD Catalogue listing details of all courses being offered to teachers by Dioceses and SCES.

SCES provides a number of CPD opportunities, including inputs to training sessions for teachers in every Diocese over the three years. Significant input has been also provided by the SCES Director and the CEC Chairperson to conferences for Catholic Head Teachers and Deputes, both nationally and locally.

SCES offered a very popular and well-evaluated ‘Called to Lead’ conference for primary teachers aspiring to Leadership positions in Catholic schools.

The CPD Strategy Group, in coming sessions, needs to support the development of on-line CPD opportunities as well as accreditation with GTCS for professional development in areas of particular relevance to Catholic education.



Aim 2 To promote opportunities for education and formation in faith within communities of faith and learning


2.1 develop quality Religious Education programmes which will build students’ understanding of their own faith and engage them spiritually

a) develop catechetical syllabus and guidance on teaching of R.E. at all levels of school curriculum

b) develop R.E. resources to deliver a powerful experience of faith

c) develop appropriate CPD for R.E. teachers, esp. non‐specialists

d) explore possibilities for accreditation of pupil achievements in R.E.

e) develop advice on curriculum structures

f) identify and recommend quality materials for parish catechesis

Building on earlier consultation with schools and, in line with the Scottish Government’s review of the entire school curriculum - A Curriculum for Excellence, - a new Religious Education syllabus was developed for pupils from P1 to S3. The CEC set the remit for the R.E. Development Group, with representatives of Diocesan RE Advisers and practitioners from primary and secondary schools, to develop teaching guidelines which are faithful to Church teaching and appropriate to the needs of young people.

Before the start of session 2010-11, ‘This Is Our Faith’ was published in draft form to help teachers to become familiar with this new guidance on what the Church teaches, as well as when and how pupils should learn in faith. At the same time the document was submitted to the Holy See for ‘recognitio’ which was finally granted on 4th August 2011. This is a historic achievement, being the first time that the Church in Scotland has sought ‘recognitio’ for a religious education syllabus which is original and unique to Scotland.

The publication and formal launch of ‘This Is Our Faith’ in every Diocese will provide opportunities to stress the Church’s determination to support teachers in their role as catechists and faith witnesses and also to highlight the contribution of parents to their children’s faith development. The Commission now faces the challenge of facilitating the provision of significant levels of in-service training (CPD) for teachers as they try to develop classroom approaches that will deliver appropriate learning experiences. It is hoped that we can build on existing partnerships with Dioceses and with national and local government and government agencies to provide such CPD opportunities for teachers.

As curriculum structures and courses emerge from the new national framework of curriculum and qualifications, Head Teachers were keen for the Commission to develop new guidance which would help them to develop structures which were appropriate to the mission of the Catholic school. SCES published ‘Having Faith in the Curriculum’ to provide such guidance for primary and secondary schools, emphasising the central place of faith in the Catholic school. The document also provides some case studies of secondary school curriculum structures and some planning exemplars for organising religious education in line with ‘This Is Our Faith’. SCES has also published a Liturgical Calendar wallchart for schools to emphasise its centrality to school planning.

Working in partnership with Scottish Government and its agencies, SCES has played the leading part in the development of advice for teachers on the assessment of religious education, in particular the provision of assessment exemplars for NAR, the new bank of national assessment exemplars for use at various levels and stages. Discussions with SQA have broken new ground with the development of RE qualifications which will, for the first time, be inclusive of faith-based learning in Religious Education. This has significant potential for pupils in Catholic schools who will be able to gain formal credit for their achievements in ‘Core’ R.E. classes which can be further complemented with specialist classes for those pupils who choose these. A new Senior Phase R.E. working group will develop a syllabus for the Senior Phase of secondary school (S4-S6) which builds on these opportunities.

Earlier project work with SQA, exploring the recording of wider achievement by pupils, has led to the establishment of the Pope Benedict XVI Caritas Award which is intended to promote the faith witness, learning and reflection of young people and to encourage their involvement in parish communities. The Knights of St Columba are providing financial support for the pilot year 2011-12 when S6 pupils from almost all our Catholic secondary schools will be involved. Discussions with Primary Head Teachers will explore the viability of recognising the achievements of P7 pupils through involving them in the Caritas Award in appropriate ways.



Aim 2 (contd.)


2.2 develop appropriate resources for teachers to support the embedding of Gospel values in the curriculum

a) publish Chaplaincy report for secondary schools

b) develop Chaplaincy report for primary schools

c) develop resources to support Religious Observance and school chaplaincy

Following an extended time of discussion and school consultation by a CEC working group, SCES published a Chaplaincy report for Secondary schools, offering a number or recommendations for working models of school chaplaincy. This was launched at a Seminar for Chaplains and Head Teachers in March 2009.

It was intended to follow up the launch of this report by holding seminars for secondary school chaplains with a view to developing further resources and support but this aim will require to be addressed by the 14th Commission.

A group was established to develop a report on Chaplaincy in Primary schools but only preliminary discussion has taken place. Again, the 14th Commission will require to address this as a priority.

2.3 develop effective teaching of Relationships & Moral Education programmes

a) support introduction of “Called to Love” resources in schools

b) explore development of resources for Primary schools

c) develop resources for parents

d) develop advice for schools on issues arising from Equality & Diversity

The Called to Love resources, which support the provision of Relationship Education in secondary schools, have proven very popular in schools, with orders also coming from schools in England.

A Health & Wellbeing working group was established to consider the need for appropriate advice and resources for Primary schools. In the last months of the 13th Commission a proposal was made by the Diocesan Religious Education Advisers for the Commission to develop a new programme of resources, based on the CEC’s current guidelines on Relationship & Moral Education. This has been accepted as a priority for the work of the 14th Commission and a working group is being established to take this forward.

In the meantime, SCES continues to monitor developments in the development of Government advice on Health & Wellbeing and Equality & Diversity and offers relevant advice to schools and Dioceses on an ad-hoc basis.

Aim 3 To develop resources which will support effective evaluation and continuous improvement in learning and faith formation


3.1 promote excellent practice in learning and teaching, leadership and management

a) develop ‘Shining the Light of Christ’ to support self‐evaluation and improvement planning with a clear focus on the mission of the Catholic school

b) provide CPD on use of these materials

c) identify & showcase exemplars of good practice

d) discuss thematic reviews of R.E. with all Councils

The publication of ‘Shining the Light of Christ in the Catholic School’ was the major outcome of an extensive period of work completed by a small working group, in consultation with schools. This resource is unique, being the first of its kind to provide a rigorous framework of school evaluation and improvement designed specifically for Catholic schools and complementing the national framework ‘How Good in Our School? Keen interest in this resource has been shown by schools in Northern Ireland, Australia and elsewhere.

To support the launch of the resource, significant numbers of CPD sessions have been offered in schools across all Dioceses, raising awareness of its purpose and value. Similar levels of support will be required in the coming 2/3 years to ensure that its use is embedded in school practice.

Discussions with HMI and Councils continue to promote shared understandings of the resource’s purpose. Already positive signs are emerging of schools making excellent use of the resource and thus being more equipped to articulate their Catholic mission in school inspections and Council quality reviews.

Exemplars of good practice will continue to be highlighted on the SCES website.

CEC & SCES will continue to monitor the issue of new forms of school governance and management, which featured as an element of rhetoric before and during the 2010 Scottish Government elections, with some groups promoting the establishment of new bodies to manage all schools.



Aim 4 To communicate the Church’s mission to educate through effective partnership with various agencies


4.1 develop communications with ‘internal’ partners

a) communicate effectively with parishes, Dioceses and Church groups

b) involve parents in discussions of major developments: R.E., Health

c) consult pupils on major educational developments

SCES Director meets regularly with Diocesan R.E. Advisor colleagues, provides reports on national developments and offers advice and support. SCES works closely with, and provides administrative support to, the two Catholic Head Teacher associations CHAS & CHAPS.

SCES has organised two meetings per session for Church Representatives on Council Education Committees and organises an annual joint day conference for Church Reps of all denominations. SCES Director is convener of the Scottish Churches’ Education Group and also meets twice yearly with colleagues from the Church of Scotland’s education network to discuss issues of mutual interest.

SCES regularly distributes newsletters and other materials to all schools and parishes.

A working group has been established to explore ways of promoting greater involvement of parents in Catholic education. This has led to the development of an action plan which the 14th Commission will address.

Two short-term projects were successfully established to ensure that the Commission was ‘Listening to the Pupil Voice’. The first of these sought the views of groups of S3 and S6 pupils in schools across 6 Dioceses on their experience of the Papal Visit and on their understanding of their school’s Catholic identity and ethos. The second project sampled the experience of S6 students who had recently applied for courses in Teacher Education, with a view to identifying potential barriers to applications being made to the University of Glasgow. This model of pupil consultation proved to be well received by schools and by young people who seemed to appreciate being listened to.

4.2 develop partnership working with various ‘external’ partners

a) develop effective links with key officials & politicians

b) participate in important consultations

The Commission has continued to develop effective networks and links with key contacts in education. We have participated in various meetings with Scottish Government Ministers holding responsibility for Education and met with officials on a regular basis. Responses were made to a number of formal Government consultations. The ongoing ‘informal’ communication with Government officials continues to prove beneficial to both parties.

SCES Director was asked by Scottish Government to chair the Minister’s RERC Excellence Group to promote good practice in the teaching of religious education in Catholic schools.

We hold regular meetings with HMIe (School Inspector) colleagues at senior levels and are in regular correspondence on related issues. SCES Director has met with Director of Education colleagues on various occasions, usually in support of Diocesan discussions. Meetings have been held with colleagues in Learning & Teaching Scotland (LTS) on matters related to the curriculum and discussions will continue with the new merged body - Education Scotland. The publication in January 2010 of the Commission’s report on Shared Campus Arrangements proved to be helpful to Church and State authorities alike.

The SCES Director represents the Church on the General Teaching Council (GTCS) which is the regulatory body for the Teaching profession. This involves attendance at Council meetings and a commitment to the work of the Investigations Sub-Committee and the Appeals Board. Following a major re-structuring of the Council and its legal establishment as an independent regulatory body, the Bishops’ Conference should nominate a new representative at the appropriate time.

Contact with media agencies tends to surge at times of controversy relating to Catholic schools, sectarianism etc. Our strategy of refusing to respond to provocations to “defend” Catholic schools has resulted in fairly robust discussions with editorial staff about their misunderstanding and mis-representation of Catholic education and of religion more generally.



Aim 4 (contd.)


4.3 communicate the Church’s strategic vision widely

a) develop Catholic Education Week materials

b) publish articles which communicate Church strategies

c) develop SCES website

Each year, during Catholic Education Week, we ask parishes and schools to give attention to the important educational mission of the Church. A working group has, each year, provided resources for parishes and schools, geared towards a theme specified by the CEC:

2009 - ‘Bringing Values to Life’; 2010 - ‘Shining the Light of Christ’; 2011- ‘Grow in Holiness; become saints of the 21st century’.

Print resources - posters, leaflets, prayer cards etc - have been provided to every school and parish. In addition, schools have been able to download significant resources for use in different contexts: classrooms, assemblies, school newsletters etc. Very positive evaluations of these resources are provided by the Head Teacher associations each year.

SCES continues to work closely with the University of Glasgow to promote the annual Cardinal Winning Lecture, usually featuring a figure of some acknowledged expertise within the field of theology and/or education.

The SCES website has been significantly enhanced and is used by large numbers both in the UK and beyond. As well as providing general information on a range of relevant matters, it holds a large number of resources which are available to those who have subscribed to the service. We have also contributed to the development of the www.beingcatholic.org website.

We have attracted a significant amount of interest from colleagues beyond Scotland, in particular England, Ireland and Northern Ireland where our experience of dealing with criticisms of ‘separate’ schools has been seen to be important. Consequently we have been asked to contribute to a number of conferences in other countries. We have hosted various visits from colleagues in Australia, in particular the Diocese of Ballarat, who admire our schools.

In Europe, SCES has been an active member of the European Committee for Catholic Education (CEEC) which meets to share expertise among colleagues from Catholic schools in 27 European countries. In October 2010 we hosted the CEEC meeting on their first UK visit in what was hailed as their most successful meeting. In the warm reception they received from Bishops, teachers, university colleagues, Government and Council officials, they reported a very positive sense of confidence about Catholic education in Scotland.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the 13th Commission’s activities was the very successful UK Papal Visit in September 2010. At the time, and at fairly short notice, this involved SCES in:

developing a range of resources on the Holy Father, the Papacy etc.; co-ordinating the involvement of schools in the St Ninian’s Day Parade

in Edinburgh; co-ordinating the involvement of school pupils at the Mass in

Bellahouston Park in Glasgow, including the provision of Communion Stewards and the distribution of admission passes etc.

organising the pilgrimage of 120 S6 pupils from Scotland’s Catholic secondary schools to Twickenham for the Big Assembly with the Pope;

briefing schools on how to participate ‘virtually’ in the Big Assembly.

The Commission was keen to build a legacy of the Papal Visit for Catholic Education and, in consultation with various stakeholder groups, developed a legacy plan which was published in the form of ‘Strive to be Worthy of this Great Tradition’. This document captured some key themes of Pope Benedict XVI’s addresses and homilies and set out some priority actions for the Commission and for other groups involved in Catholic education. These included the provision of a Study pack on the UK Papal Visit, developed in conjunction with Learning & Teaching Scotland, and available on the SCES website.



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