Controversial Catholic school recruitment policy under fire

March 14, 2014

Education

Anthony Finn, the former head of the General Teaching Council for Scotland, the profession’s regulatory body, said Catholic headteachers believed the approval policy was being implemented inconsistently in different parishes, writes Andrew Denholm Education Correspondent of The Herald

The comments have been backed by anecdotal evidence from Catholic teachers.One said she had been asked by a priest whether she was “still living with her boyfriend” when seeking approval. Another claimed that being in a same-sex relationship had counted against him.

Gary McLelland, education officer for the Humanist Society Scotland, added: “The current system is not only an affront to equality and fairness, but we think Catholic schools are missing out by limiting their staff. The system of approval is discredited.”