Catholic School Leadership: Principles & Practice MA, PGDip, PGCert

St Mary's University, Twickenham

This module lays the foundations for the programme and ideally should be studied first. It is important for Catholic school leaders to have an understanding of the tradition upon which Catholic education is built. This is explored by studying the work of the leaders of religious orders, such as John Baptist De La Salle, up to an evaluation of key Vatican documents such as The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium (1998). Are we building upon the tradition of a commitment to the poor and disadvantaged or have we been drawn into chasing league table status at the expense of this?

To achieve the MA in Catholic School Leadership, students need to complete a 20,000 word dissertation. Support is provided through two Saturday Schools at the beginning of the academic year in which the dissertation is due to be completed, and a third Saturday School at the beginning of the second semester. In addition, each student is provided with a personal supervisor. Although the prospect of producing such a significant piece of work can be quite daunting; it can also be very rewarding to complete a significant piece of original work that will contribute to a better understanding of Catholic education.

This module can be summed up with the phrase 'Distinctive Leadership for Distinctive Schools'. The 11 units explore all aspects of leadership and management that leaders at all levels in the contemporary Catholic school will find necessary if they are to develop as competent and confident leaders. We range from considering leadership models that contribute to the effectiveness of successful businesses and secular schools to the leadership example given to us by Jesus Christ - the servant leader.

This module can be summed up with the phrase 'Distinctive Leadership for Distinctive Schools'. The 11 units explore all aspects of leadership and management that leaders at all levels in the contemporary Catholic school will find necessary if they are to develop as competent and confident leaders. We range from considering leadership models that contribute to the effectiveness of successful businesses and secular schools to the leadership example given to us by Jesus Christ - the servant leader.

To achieve the MA in Catholic School Leadership, students need to complete a 20,000 word dissertation. Support is provided through two Saturday Schools at the beginning of the academic year in which the dissertation is due to be completed, and a third Saturday School at the beginning of the second semester. In addition, each student is provided with a personal supervisor. Although the prospect of producing such a significant piece of work can be quite daunting; it can also be very rewarding to complete a significant piece of original work that will contribute to a better understanding of Catholic education.

Strand A of module 1 explored the 'Key Elements of Catholic Education'. This module develops a number of these elements in greater depth. This will help the Catholic school leader become more confident in articulating the distinctive nature of Catholic education. Colleagues applying for senior positions in Catholic schools are likely to be challenged at interview to articulate why Catholic schools exist and how they can both support children on their faith journey and at the same time provide an education that develops the gifts and talents of every individual child in today's fast changing world. Those who have completed this course frequently say that they have gained promotion through the knowledge and confidence given to them by this course