Diocese inspection Report

The Education department of Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle support our catholic schools in their spiritual and educational development and carry out religious inspections.

The inspection reviews, evaluates and plans further improvements in the school’s witness to the Catholic faith and Curriculum Religious Education. This process begins with the school’s own self-evaluation. The inspection schedule follows criteria set by the National Board of Advisers and Inspectors.

View the latest Catholic Schools Inspectorate Report by clicking the link below.

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There are approximately 56,000 children and young people in the 156 Catholic schools of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. The Diocese consists of 136 first/infant/junior/primary schools and 20 secondary schools. The children and young people in our schools remain the absolute priority. We work to ensure that they will continue to receive the very best educational opportunities and life fulfilling experiences, within communities which have the teachings of Christ and his Church at the very centre. 

 

“The mission of schools is to develop a sense of truth, of what is good and beautiful.

And this occurs through a rich path made up of many ingredients.” 

Pope Francis – Address to Italian School Teachers – 10 May 2014 

 

The DfE supports schools to ensure that they are successful and act in accordance within the Trust Deed of the Diocese. This involves us in offering advice and direction on a broad range of educational matters such as, Religious Education and curriculum issues, Catholic life of a school, collective worship, staffing and recruitment, governance, admissions and capital developments. In order to do this, the team work closely with our four Catholic Education Trusts, local authorities, the Department for Education and the Regional Schools Commissioner. 

Catholic schools evangelise culture because they address the deepest questions about what it is to be human and live in society. They open pupils’ minds to the transcendent dimension of life and the reality of God revealed in Jesus Christ. They teach a holistic understanding of the human person and society in which all are included so that humanity can flourish. The Catholic school enables each child to develop their God-given gifts in order to engage in building a better society which is characterised by justice, truth and love. 

The document Christ at the Centre cites four reasons why the Church provides Catholic schools: 

  • To assist in its mission of making Christ known to all people 

  • To assist parents, who are the primary educators of their children, in the education and religious formation of their children 

  • To be at the service of the local Church, the diocese, the parish and the Christian home 

  • To be of service to society 

“Christ is the foundation of the whole educational enterprise in a Catholic school.” 

The Catholic School, 1977 – 34 

 

“Catholic schools, which always strive to join their work of education with the explicit proclamation of the Gospel, are a most valuable resource for the evangelisation of culture.” 

Pope Francis – Evangelii Gaudium, 2013 – 134 

 

Mission Statement and Role 

The Diocesan Department for Education: 

  • assists the Bishop to ensure the promotion, preservation, protection and future development of Catholic education within the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. 

  • is committed to education and formation as a lifelong process. 

  • is there to support those involved in education; to address current and future needs and faithfully express and promote the Church’s pastoral mission in education. 

  • works collaboratively and in active consultation, in accordance with Church teaching, both with those who are involved professionally with our Diocesan schools and those whose contribution is a voluntary commitment. 

We will do this by: 

  • Assisting the Bishop in discharging his responsibilities for all diocesan schools; 

  • Articulating confidently and clearly our Diocesan vision of Catholic education which has Christ at the centre; 

  • providing a high quality service to all members of our school communities, incorporating both support and challenge, to enable them to fulfil this mission; 

  • supporting our schools in delivering the highest quality Religious Education, Collective Worship and Catholic Life through providing a range of courses and formation opportunities for those working in and governing our schools; 

  • ensuring that our schools are at least as academically distinguished as that in other schools of the area (Canon 806); 

  • maintaining strong partnerships with the Diocesan family of schools and with the wider educational community; 

  • collaborating with curial departments and partnerships; 

  • liaising and consulting with national and local public bodies, the CES and church agencies to promote, manage and protect Catholic education throughout the Diocese.