Catholic Education
This module lays the foundations for the programme and ideally should be studied first. It is important for Catholic school leaders to have an understanding of the tradition upon which Catholic education is built. This is explored by studying the work of the leaders of religious orders, such as John Baptist De La Salle, up to an evaluation of key Vatican documents such as The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium (1998). Are we building upon the tradition of a commitment to the poor and disadvantaged or have we been drawn into chasing league table status at the expense of this?
One thread running through Catholic education since its inception has been an understanding of the importance of community. Are the schools in which we work truly Christ-centred learning communities?
Strand A - Key Elements in Catholic Education
Aims:
To ensure familiarity with and confidence in articulating a distinctively Catholic approach to education in the context of the UK school system.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of the course students should be able to:
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Demonstrate familiarity with, and a capacity to comment critically on the relevance of, the essential guidance provided by the principal documents, at both national and international level, relating to Catholic education, in particular, that issued since the Second Vatican Council and up to the present day;
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Identify the essential component principles and beliefs that underpin the Catholic approach to education and critically relate these to one or more alternative educational philosophies;
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Take into account how contemporary Catholic schools/colleges in the UK are influenced by their historical and socio-cultural context, and demonstrate a capacity to interpret and respond to the challenges to and opportunities for their mission arising for Catholic educational leaders and teachers;
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Situate Catholic schools/colleges within the national system and structure for educational policy and practice, with a clear understanding of the perspectives and roles of the major agencies and stakeholders with whom Catholic educators and leaders must work;
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Demonstrate familiarity with recent studies critically evaluating Catholic schools/colleges and a capacity to apply these critiques to their own professional context;
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Engage in dialogue with proponents and opponents of Catholic education.
Strand B - School and Community
Aims:
To develop in students an awareness of the multi-dimensional nature of community building within a Catholic school and a capacity to foster effective partnerships with governors, pupils, parents, parishes, people of other faiths and the wider community.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this strand students should be able to:
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Identify the roles and responsibilities of governors in Catholic schools;
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Demonstrate familiarity with and confidence in promoting systems of pastoral care;
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Demonstrate awareness of the Catholic emphasis on parents as primary educators and a capacity to implement a wide range of strategies for enhancing home-school partnerships and quality communication between school and parents;
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Draw up an action plan for enhancing co-operation and communication between school and parish and school and other faith communities;
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Exhibit a critical and sensitive appreciation of the internal and external factors which support and obstruct community-building and positive relationships between schools and their local communities, taking into account different kinds, causes and effects of poverty, disability and discrimination;
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Interpret and apply in the school context the church's social teaching, including that relating to community relations, the common good, preferential option for the poor and underprivileged, positive relationships with people of other faiths, together with the ecumenical imperative.
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Engage in dialogue with proponents and opponents of Catholic education.