As the new nation inspection framework for Catholic schools will be used in our diocesan schools from January, the Diocesan Department for Education is hosting a series of three training days to focus on the three different areas for inspection: Catholic Life and Mission, Religious Education and Collective Worship.
Over 150 headteachers and RE Coordinators took part in the first day of Catholic Schools Inspection training at the Durham Centre, Belmont earlier this month. This was delivered by Catherine Craig, Acting Deputy Director and Andrew Barron, Secondary Adviser, and looked at the criteria and evidence inspectors will draw on to judge how faithfully the school responds to the call to live as a Catholic community at the service of the Church’s educational mission.
Delegates had the opportunity to work on their Catholic Self Evaluation Document, considering how their pupils contribute and benefit from the Catholic life and mission of the school, the quality of their provision and how well it is promoted, monitored and evaluated by leaders and governors.
It was an engaging, interactive day and school leaders appreciated the opportunities for reflection as well as practical guidance. Feedback provided by the delegates was overwhelmingly positive and the following comment sums up the responses:
“Thank you. As new RE lead, it has been a fantastic opportunity to attend both in terms of developing better knowledge and understanding and networking with other RE leads to share ideas. I really appreciate the opportunity.“
