Catholic Ethos Development through School Self Evaluation Let

Catholic Ethos Development through School Self Evaluation “Let everything you do be done in love” 1 Cor 16: 14)

What is a Catholic school? What is ethos? What do we evaluate in a Catholic School?

ality Look at re Interpret in light of teaching and actions of Jesus Act See, Judge and Act Belgian Cardinal Joseph Cardijn

Rationale The Catholic school finds its true justification in the mission of the Church; it is based on an educational philosophy in which faith, culture and life are brought into harmony. Through it the local Church evangelises, educates and contributes to the formation of a healthy and morally sound life-style among its members The Religious Dimension of a Catholic School : Congregation for Catholic Education, 1988: 34

Rationale Religious education in Catholic schools refers to the integral education of the pupils, both through the religious dimension of the school as a whole and through the specific programme of religious studies which it provides Religious education is broader than catechesis but it must include catechesis since ‘ a principal goal of the Catholic school must be to hand on the faith’ JP 11 Address to the Bishops of Great Britain 26 March 1992

Ongoing self-evaluation is essential if the educational community is to live up to its mission Engaging in a process of self-evaluation allows each person and each school to grow towards God Evaluating the Distinctive Nature of a Catholic School 2007 National Board of Religious Inspectors and Advisers

Whole school Self-Evaluation an opportunity to examine progression by engaging in a planned reflective process, structured to achieve improvement, against criteria from both the values and principles of its own mission statement, aims and objectives, and from good educational practice

Why Self-Evaluate? Measures the overall effectiveness of the school in providing a Catholic Education Reminds us that Catholic Education is a vital reality for good in our society- justice generosity, forgiveness and communion Opportunity to celebrate the uniqueness of our schools as worshipping communities where Jesus is at the centre of who we are and what we do

Self Evaluation Framework a) The Catholic life of the School (b Collective Worship (c) Classroom Religious Education & Faith Development (

Key Criteria The Catholic Life of the School Environment Collective Worship Classroom Religious Education & Faith Development Experience of Collective Worship Place given to Religious Education Commitment to Common Good Partnership Opportunities Leaders and Governors Curriculum Effectiveness of leaders and governors in promoting etc Quality of Teaching and Learning Achievement Assessment Spiritual/moral/social/cultural development Leadership and Management

Organisation Time: Within a school year Over a 3 year period Staff involvement Groups of staff – inset day/session Religious Education department (Criteria 3) Format Discussion groups

Parents & Governors Consult parents and Governors Short survey – could be completed using Survey Monkey Students Year 8 – first impressions; Student Leadership Team/Council; online survey across the school.

The Catholic Life of the School Task School Environment Physical School environment culture Mission Statement Pastoral Care Admission & Exclusions

Support The Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre (DDCC) will support schools in this process. e. g. Introduction to staff Collating results Preparing findings Writing final report Feedback to Principals/SLT

Resources Congregation for Catholic Education (2007) Educating Together in Catholic Schools: A Shared Mission between Consecrated Persons and the Lay Faithful, London: CTS Congregation for Catholic Education (1988) The Religious Dimension of Education in Catholic Schools, London: CTS Farren. P. Learning to live Eucharis: Catholic Education today National Board of Religious Inspectors and Advisers, Evaluating the Distinctive Nature of a Catholic School 2007 Pope John Paul 11(1992) Address to Bishops of Great Britain A range of Section 48 Reports – England