Mission Integrity: how far is a curriculum development in a Church school rooted in Gospel values?

Mission statements stand at the heart of Catholic schools. It is the mission statement that anchors the school community in the Christian tradition and proclaims what the school stands for. Any aspect of school life that becomes dissociated with the mission equally becomes disconnected with the Christian story. This dissertation investigates how far a curriculum development in a case study school is rooted in Gospel values and therefore upholds what Gerald Grace refers to as ‘mission integrity’. A literature review has been carried out which considers the teachings of Vatican documents on this subject as well as the work of key scholars who are committed to ensuring that mission statements permeate every aspect of school life, including the curriculum. In addition, the small-scale research conducted in the case study school sought to identify staff awareness of the mission statement and the extent to which it impacts upon what and how they teach in the classroom. Throughout this dissertation, the role of leaders as witnesses and protectors of mission integrity has been discussed in the context of both the literature review and the analysis of data gathered from the small-scale research. The conclusion of this study has led to recommendations for further development in establishing a curriculum that reflects the school mission.