Archbishop Peter Smith affirmed the value of Catholic education when he spoke at a Leadership course attended by senior teachers at Catholic schools in England and Wales.

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“Take pride in our Catholic schools” - Archbishop Peter.

This was the message delivered by Archbishop Peter Smith during the first part of a Leadership course attended by thirty senior teachers from Catholic schools in England and Wales.

The course, which took place at Broomsgroove, near Birmingham, has been designed to introduce prospective headteachers to important aspects of the leadership and management of Catholic Schools.

Although the course took place in England there was a distinct Welsh flavour about its organisation and delivery. In addition to Archbishop Peter, speakers included Mr David Stone, Headmaster at Cardiff’s Corpus Christi High (but more recently seconded to the leadership programme of the National Assembly of Wales) as well as Mrs Anne Manghan, Archdiocesan Director for Religious Education Schools. Other speakers include Dom Anthony Sutch, former eadteacher of Downside, Rev James Hanvey, Director at the Heythrop Institute and Rev Paul Watson, Director of the Maryvale Institute.

The course organiser was Mr Liam Affley, who is shortly to retire as Director of Schools for the Cardiff Archdiocese.

This will be the last occasion that M r Affley will be involved in the organisation of Diocesan training courses – either for teachers or for governors.

He feels that headship training is of particular importance. “This course has been developed in conjunction with the National College for School Leadership and this is the fourth year that it has taken place.

“It’s rationale is based on the recognition that distinctive spiritual leadership is the key to the vocation of Catholic headship. All who have taken part in these courses have benefited greatly. As a result, well over one hundred senior teachers have now been prepared for headship”

For Archbishop smith such leadership courses are vital ”The number of Catholic schools and their location may change in the future, but our commitment to Catholic schools and to Catholic education is absolute.

“That is why it is so important that our schools are led by highly trained teachers who have a thorough understanding of the professional and spiritual requirements of the headship role”

“Have confidence in our Catholic schools. Take pride in their achievements and their success”