Perfect job, except...

[BecomeStronger]

It's exactly the job I've been looking for, fairly close (but not too close) to home too. Quite a senior position in a school.

However, it's a Catholic School and I'm not Catholic. I do have some faith, although admittedly it comes and goes and I'm not a regular church goer. I like to think I'm a moral person but I can't support the Catholic position on abortion, for example.

Do I have to let this one go or is it possible to make this work? Would they even consider me anyway?

People of all faiths work in Catholic schools.

Go for it.

I'd apply. Most important is that you are willing to carry on the catholic ethos.
Many catholics do not agree with church position on everything.

Apply!

I’d definitely apply and see how you find it. I’m an atheist and have worked in faith schools on a visiting basis but wouldn’t want a permanent job in one.

@BurningEars

People of all faiths work in Catholic schools.

I realise that but don't you have to be "on message"? The ad does say people of the Catholic faith preferred.

Is it for a position teaching RE?

It doesn't mean you won't get the job. Apply.

No it's not teaching RE.

I think I'm most concerned that I won't "believe" in the school ethos, isn't that an uncomfortable place to be?

I think RE teachers they generally want to be catholic, but otherwise like others have said you get people of all faiths working in schools, so as its not a position of RE teacher you should be find. Also, I'd class myself as Catholic, but I'm pro abortion/pro choice, and so are lots of other Catholic people I know, so its not so clean cut as everyone believing exactly the same.

I don't know where you are, but in Kent, Catholic schools have always been notorious for only employing/promoting Catholics. In fact, I can think of a secondary school in Maidstone - not a Catholic school - where nearly all the SLT were Catholic. So weird.

What is the role?

The catholic primary I am a governor at will only hire catholic people who practice for senior positions - that is head and deputy head. If it is anything else then people of all faiths are eligible and often successful.

My son is a maths teacher in a Catholic high school and he's an atheist, no problems. I'm from a Catholic family though so he knows a fair bit about it.

Yes, that’s the thing - it’s not just about you having a chance of getting a job but whether it’d be the right/happy environment for you. I think you’ll get a feel for the place when you interview. Even if offered the job, you could always decline if you don’t think it’s the right fit.

I went to a Catholic school & only one teacher was Anglican, all the rest Catholic. It may have changed now. Go for it they can only say no.

In my experience of working in Catholic schools they do tend to employ practising Catholics for senior jobs, whether or not they are transparent about this, is another thing.

Just apply and be honest, the very best school my DS attended was a Catholic school, we are not Catholic but do have a strong faith, it really didn't matter.

If it's a senior position then it may be a case of using it as interview experience. I imagine they want practising catholic staff. Just teaching, I can't see that it'll make a difference. I went to catholic schools and had numerous non-catholic teachers, but all senior staff were catholics, which does make sense as you need to know the ethos of the school really.

Many of the parents probably have less faith than you, thank you at least for being honest. I do not like those who 'rediscover' their faith and attend church only for the length of time it takes to get their child into a faith school.

I think it is possible depending on the position.

No way could I work for a Catholic school or organisation. You obviously need a job but I could not be oart on an institution that teaches these things. You do you but think about how to live with it.

In normal times I’d go & look round & see if you like the general vibe you get. Harder with Covid tho. Have a good look at the website to get a feel for how religious day to day school life actually is.

If you keep your views quiet, you'll be fine.

If you plan to be vocal on why the Catholic Church teachings are wrong, you'll be up in front of slt, as you will no doubt at interview be asked to support the Catholic ethos.

Previous poster asking how OP could live with herself. Believe you me plenty of staff in faith schools are not there to advocate faith views. They are there to teach a subject. How patronising! . Having worked in one there were many atheists, gay, feminist and very political radical staff.

I taught and hdealth with many many issues including abortion from a secular viewpoint. In fact a convent school I worked in was the best workplace I was in.

Readandwalk,
Totally agree with you.