Inscribed in the Very Heart of Their Identity: Recruitment, Retention, and Formation of Faith Leaders in Catholic Primary Schools in Scotland

This chapter identifies how Scottish and English researchers are already attentive to an issue identified in the document promulgated in 2022 by the Congregation for Catholic Education, regarding the need for a critical mass of suitably qualified Catholic teachers and leaders to continue the Catholic school mission. Empirical research data is presented and analysed which indicates a clear resonance with research undertaken amongst Catholic school leadersCatholic school leaders in EnglandEngland in terms of recruitment, retention and formationFormation of Catholic teachers, and the need for succession planning for leadershipLeadership roles. Attention is given to the unique context of Catholic education in ScotlandScotland and the evolving prioritisation by current school leaders of the faith formationFaith formation of their staff. The authors conclude that in their formational role, headteachers’ greatest resource is their own commitment and the collaborative, relationship-focussed transformational leadership by which they model what it means to be a Catholic headteacher.