Catholic Schools (UK)
Encyclopedia
In the United Kingdom
, there are many 'local authority maintained' (i.e. state funded) Catholic schools. These are theoretically open to pupils of all faith
s or none, although if the school is over-subscribed priority will be given to Catholic
children.
Pupils follow the same curriculum
as in other schools, with the one exception of Religious Education
, which is compulsory until Year 12 (AS level) when one can drop it. The teachings of the Roman Catholic Church
are generally given prominence in lessons, and the degree of prominence given to other faiths is largely dependent on the school.
To teach in a Catholic school, teachers (who are already fully qualified) must (at least in theory} be approved by the Roman Catholic Church (usually the local bishop). In the past, this meant that to teach in Catholic schools one had to be a Catholic, and possess the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies, however this practice has fallen out of favour- on both equality and practical grounds, as many schools began to suffer a shortage of high-quality teachers. Senior management positions are still reserved for practising Catholics.
There has been some controversy over Catholic schools. Some Labour
backbenchers would like to see them closed along with all other faith-based schools, and this was the official policy of the Scottish Green Party
at the 2007 Scottish Parliament election. Some local authorities - particularly in Lanarkshire - have chosen to build so-called 'shared campuses' where a Catholic and non-denominational school share grounds, a building, and facilities such as canteen, sport halls etc., but lessons are taught separately. This policy has had mixed success—although supporters say it reduces the risk of 'us and them' sectarianism, some shared campuses have suffered disruptions on opening. At one stage the Scottish Catholic Church even considered unprecedented legal action against North Lanarkshire
Council to stop another 'shared campus' being built.
There are also a number of Catholic Independent Schools, mostly founded by religious orders, that provide fee-paying education. They include both day and boarding schools.
The Catholic Education Service
provides the central co-ordination under the Bishops' Conference for Catholic schools in England and Wales.
In Northern Ireland, Roman Catholic schools are state-funded and organised and run by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS).
St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School
in Northumberland
became the first school in the United Kingdom
to establish its own, fully functioning business, Benet Enterprises. The School is a typical example of an over-subscribed school due to its high academic performance and reputation in the local area. As such, Catholic students are given priority, whilst all others are interviewed. Because of the fact that it is the only Catholic High School in Northumberland
, students are transported into School by bus, meaning that non-Catholic students, by default, have to pay a substantial fee for attendance. This has caused much controversy and debate over the fairness of this system, with the headmaster commenting that if the School continued in this manner it would be a fee-paying school in all but name. This is illustrative of the many problems that are embedded in a School being classed as "Catholic".
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, there are many 'local authority maintained' (i.e. state funded) Catholic schools. These are theoretically open to pupils of all faith
Faith
Faith is confidence or trust in a person or thing, or a belief that is not based on proof. In religion, faith is a belief in a transcendent reality, a religious teacher, a set of teachings or a Supreme Being. Generally speaking, it is offered as a means by which the truth of the proposition,...
s or none, although if the school is over-subscribed priority will be given to Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
children.
Pupils follow the same curriculum
Curriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
as in other schools, with the one exception of Religious Education
Religious Education
Religious Education is the term given to education concerned with religion. It may refer to education provided by a church or religious organization, for instruction in doctrine and faith, or for education in various aspects of religion, but without explicitly religious or moral aims, e.g. in a...
, which is compulsory until Year 12 (AS level) when one can drop it. The teachings of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
are generally given prominence in lessons, and the degree of prominence given to other faiths is largely dependent on the school.
To teach in a Catholic school, teachers (who are already fully qualified) must (at least in theory} be approved by the Roman Catholic Church (usually the local bishop). In the past, this meant that to teach in Catholic schools one had to be a Catholic, and possess the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies, however this practice has fallen out of favour- on both equality and practical grounds, as many schools began to suffer a shortage of high-quality teachers. Senior management positions are still reserved for practising Catholics.
There has been some controversy over Catholic schools. Some Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
backbenchers would like to see them closed along with all other faith-based schools, and this was the official policy of the Scottish Green Party
Scottish Green Party
The Scottish Green Party is a green party in Scotland. It has two MSPs in the devolved Scottish Parliament, Alison Johnstone, representing Lothian, and Patrick Harvie, for Glasgow.-Organisation:...
at the 2007 Scottish Parliament election. Some local authorities - particularly in Lanarkshire - have chosen to build so-called 'shared campuses' where a Catholic and non-denominational school share grounds, a building, and facilities such as canteen, sport halls etc., but lessons are taught separately. This policy has had mixed success—although supporters say it reduces the risk of 'us and them' sectarianism, some shared campuses have suffered disruptions on opening. At one stage the Scottish Catholic Church even considered unprecedented legal action against North Lanarkshire
North Lanarkshire
North Lanarkshire is one of 32 council areas in Scotland. It borders onto the northeast of the City of Glasgow and contains much of Glasgow's suburbs and commuter towns and villages. It also borders Stirling, Falkirk, East Dunbartonshire, West Lothian and South Lanarkshire...
Council to stop another 'shared campus' being built.
There are also a number of Catholic Independent Schools, mostly founded by religious orders, that provide fee-paying education. They include both day and boarding schools.
The Catholic Education Service
Catholic Education Service
The Catholic Education Service is an agency of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales and a member of the Bishops’ Department for Catholic Education and Formation. CESEW’s mission is to promote and support Catholic education...
provides the central co-ordination under the Bishops' Conference for Catholic schools in England and Wales.
In Northern Ireland, Roman Catholic schools are state-funded and organised and run by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS).
St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School
St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School
St. Benet Biscop High School is a renowned Roman Catholic selective high school in Bedlington, Northumberland. It is the only Catholic high school in the county...
in Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
became the first school in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to establish its own, fully functioning business, Benet Enterprises. The School is a typical example of an over-subscribed school due to its high academic performance and reputation in the local area. As such, Catholic students are given priority, whilst all others are interviewed. Because of the fact that it is the only Catholic High School in Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
, students are transported into School by bus, meaning that non-Catholic students, by default, have to pay a substantial fee for attendance. This has caused much controversy and debate over the fairness of this system, with the headmaster commenting that if the School continued in this manner it would be a fee-paying school in all but name. This is illustrative of the many problems that are embedded in a School being classed as "Catholic".