Faith formation in the context of continuing professional development for Catholic teachers: understanding the views of the managers

Abstract

This article examines Scottish Catholic school managers’ perceptions of continuing professional development (CPD), and in particular their views of CPD for the purpose of faith formation of Catholic teachers in their schools. Set against the background of the major CPD reforms that are currently taking place in Scotland as a result of the McCrone Agreement, the article uses interview source material to probe head teachers’ underlying views about the necessity of CPD of this nature, draws them together and analyses them in a critical manner. Issues emerged including the practicalities of engaging staff in such CPD experiences, control of CPD, the quality of opportunities and the place of distinctively Catholic CPD activities, similar to those recently launched by the Scottish Catholic Church, within the wider political CPD agenda. The paper considers the Church’s position on the role of the Catholic teacher, yet reflects on the lack of CPD opportunities for the purpose of faith formation that some Catholic schools have provided for staff. It concludes by highlighting the different agendas driving CPD in Scotland, and the difficulties that Catholic schools are likely to face as a result of this, yet questions the commitment of Catholic school managers to the continued faith formation of their teachers.