Education

The Shakespeare scholar Clare Asquith, Countess of Oxford and Asquith, delivered the annual Allen Hall Lecture last week and declared: 'This must be English Catholicism's moment.' Under Pope Leo, she said, 'It looks as if the church will be now able to draw confidently both on the clarity and accessibility of reform - once Erasmus, now Vatican II - and the treasury of mystical and liturgical beaut... Read More

Pupils from St John Bosco Arts College in Croxteth, Liverpool, performed at the world-famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom as part of a dance competition that saw them waltz away with 18 titles, including the prestigious 'most outstanding school of the day' and 'best commercial technique'. Commonly referred to as the 'home of ballroom dancing' and known for its unique sprung floor and spectacular archi... Read More

As Head of Religious Studies at Downham Market Academy, I lead a department dedicated to fostering the study of Philosophy and Theology in a secular secondary school. Pursuing the MA in Contemporary Faith and Belief in the Global Context at the Margaret Beaufort Institute has been transformative, providing exceptional professional development that has enriched my teaching and inspired my students... Read More

Marie Southall, Director of Partnerships and Public Affairs, Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and the Catholic Education Service writes: It's clear to anyone in the education sector that for quite a while schools have been picking up the pieces from the retreat of local public services. School leaders tell us they're increasingly taking the place of statutory support, and this is... Read More

The Bishops of England and Wales and the Catholic Education Service have welcomed the announcement by the government today of the expansion of Free School Meals to all households on Universal Credit. Bishop Richard Moth, Chair of the Department for Social Justice of the Catholic Bishops' Conference said: "Inspired by our Catholic teaching, Catholic charities, dioceses and parishes are at the fore... Read More

This year we celebrate 1700 years since the Council of Nicaea in 325, which gave the Church the Creed still used at Sunday Mass. Deacon Ken Carleton, dean in the formation programme for deacons, and accomplished church historian, will lead a study day to explore how the Creed was produced, and what role was played by the Emperor Constantine in this first world Council of the Church. The study da... Read More

A teacher at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Birkenhead, on the Wirral, has raised over £3,000 for Claire House after running a marathon in memory of a pupil who passed away. Claire Lester, Year 2 teacher and key stage lead at the Oxton primary school, ran the 2025 London Marathon in honour of past pupil, Evie Skerrett, who lost her life 10 years after being diagnosed with a rare brain tu... Read More

It doesn't seem that long ago when, back in January, we celebrated the Jubilee Year Launch Day for schools and colleges. A flurry of activity saw pupils and teachers across the nations come together to mark the start of this landmark moment in the Catholic church. Pope Francis called on us in this Jubilee year to be Pilgrims of Hope; to build a better world for everyone and experience the joy whic... Read More

Two Year 6 pupils, Fearne and Lydia, recently took part in a life-changing pilgrimage to Lourdes. The experience gave Fearne and Lydia the chance to explore their faith, make new friends, and enjoy a week of meaningful activities Fearne and Lydia travelled as part of the annual HCPT pilgrimage. HCPT (Hosanna House and Children's Pilgrimage Trust) is a charity that offers supported pilgrimage holid... Read More

On Tuesday 1 July, The Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology in collaboration with Blackfriars Hall, Oxford hosts only the second ever UK conference on the great twentieth-century Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritain and his wife Raïssa, a contemplative, mystic and poet. Building on last year's landmark conference in Cambridge on the lives and legacy of the Maritains, this exciting symposium d... Read More

More than one thousand schoolchildren raised the roof of the Lyric Theatre at The Lowry, Salford Quays, this afternoon in celebration of music, faith, and care for common home. Pupils from 22 schools across Greater Manchester and Lancashire sang in the debut performance of Songs of the Earth, a new set of six short choral songs inspired by nature and created by schoolchildren from the Diocese of S... Read More

Oscott College, the Catholic seminary of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, and Maryvale Higher Institute of Religious Sciences (HIRS) are delighted to announce that they are joining forces. From September 2025, HIRS will formally become a part of St Mary's College, Oscott CIO but separate from the seminary. Maryvale has a rich history in the Archdiocese of Birmingham and its mission of Catholic educa... Read More

The Margaret Beaufort Institute is hosting (in person and via Zoom): Childhood and Contemporary Catholicism, on Thursday, 8 May at 5pm. This inspiring evening explores the profound role of Catholicism in shaping the lives of children and young people today. Childhood and Contemporary Catholicism, a thought-provoking new book by Lord Gerard Lemos, uncovers the diverse ways Catholic faith and practi... Read More

Students at Mount St Mary's College, Spinkhill, were treated to an extraordinary encounter today as Guy Consolmagno SJ - American research astronomer, physicist, Jesuit brother, and director of the Vatican Observatory - visited the school to share insights from a life dedicated to science and faith. Br Consolmagno captivated students with stories from his decades of astronomical research, his spir... Read More