The Catholic School Mission: The role of the RE co-ordinator in upholding and promoting the distinctive mission of a Catholic primary school

This dissertation will explore the role of the Religious Education (RE) Co-ordinator in upholding the distinctive educational mission of Catholic primary schools. To achieve this aim the study will define what the Catholic mission for education is, especially for primary schools, as well as seek to define and clarify the role of the RE co-ordinator within these schools. In the literature review a wide range of literature will be explored, including Vatican documents on education, existing publications, research about Catholic education and documents promulgated by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, to explore the distinctive nature of Catholic education, how different forms of leadership can help to enhance the mission of Catholic education and finally what role RE co-ordinators have in upholding and promoting the distinctive mission of a Catholic primary school. Following this a small research project will be carried out in two schools to explore whether the distinctive mission of Catholic education is evident within these schools and whether there is an awareness of how the role of the RE co-ordinator influences this mission. This will be done through questionnaires given to the staff and by two semi structured interviews with head teachers. These will then be analysed and the results interpreted in light of the literature retrieved. In conclusion, recommendations will be made on how to develop the distinctive mission of Catholic education and how the role