Purpose of the Guidance

Its purpose is to help and guide Governors to fulfil their statutory responsibilities to preserve and develop the Catholic character of the school in relation to the appointment of teachers.

Governors of Catholic Voluntary Aided and Independent schools are the employers of the teachers, to whom they should give clear guidelines about the Catholic character of education and life in their school.

As employers the Governing Body must issue the appropriate contract of employment and associated documentation as published by the Catholic Education Service.

Selecting Teachers For Catholic Schools

The preservation and development of the quality and distinctive nature of Catholic schools depends on the faith, practice and commitment of the teachers in the schools, working with their Governing Bodies.

To find Catholic teachers who combine personal conviction and practice of the faith with the required professional qualifications and experience, especially in specialist subjects, is always a high priority.

The recognition of the role that Catholic teachers play stands alongside the value we place on teachers of other Christian Churches, other Faiths and other teachers who contribute to and support the Catholic ethos in our schools. We recognise the great contribution they make helping to ensure that our pupils are equipped to communicate with and participate in the contemporary society..

Selecting Leaders For Catholic Schools

The posts of Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and Head or Coordinator of Religious Education are to be filled by baptised and practising Catholics.

Other Leadership posts that affect directly the Catholic Mission of the school should, wherever possible, be staffed by skilled practitioners who are committed Catholics.

All teachers must respect and support the aims and objectives of a Catholic school.

Selecting Leaders For Religious Education

Primary: Governors must ensure that Religious Education is properly organised, co-ordinated and taught. The co-ordinator should therefore have at least parity in status and remuneration with those of core curriculum areas.

Secondary: The Religious Education department in our secondary schools is of particular importance and should have at least parity with any core subject department. Governors are urged, in consultation with the headteacher, to give the highest possible status to the department and to the person leading that department.

Advice at Short Listing and Interview

Interview procedures approved by Governing Bodies for teacher recruitment must be open to scrutiny. They must be clear, objective and transparent.

Governing Bodies must agree advisory rights for the Diocesan director and chief education officer of their LEA or their representative in relation to the appointment of teachers at the school. These may be in relation to all appointments at the school or, more usually, to the appointment of headteachers and deputy headteachers alone. Whatever advisory rights the Governors confer they must be the same for both the Diocese and LEA.

Independent school Governing Bodies are strongly encouraged to involve the Diocese in all senior appointments.

Governing Bodies should notify the Diocesan director and LEA of a vacancy for a headteacher or deputy headteacher before taking any action, including appointing an acting headteacher or advertising the vacancy.

Furthermore a Diocesan representative may be invited whenever senior posts with pastoral responsibilities are being considered.

For appointments of head and deputy headteachers, the Governing Body will meet to draw up a shortlist of candidates, conduct interviews and make an appointment. The Governing Body may appoint a selection panel of at least 3 governors to undertake these functions. These appointments need ratification by the full Governing Body.

The Governing body should be mindful of their statutory responsibilities to advise and consider the views of the LEA throughout the process up to ratification of the preferred candidate.

In addition, the appropriate Diocesan officer should always be invited to the interview of Heads of Religious Education and school chaplains.

Delegation of Power of Appointment

When Governors delegate to a committee of the Governing Body and/or headteacher their power and right of appointment of teachers, it is essential that the terms of reference for such delegation are made explicit.

Induction and Continuing Professional Development

Governors should ensure an appropriate induction programme, emphasising the distinctive nature of Catholic education is in place and that continuing professional development for all staff helps to sustain this understanding.

+ VINCENT NICHOLS

Chairman, Department for Catholic Education and Formation
11th July 2003