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?

I work in a middle management position in Catholic school and I'm definitely not a Catholic. There is weekly mass for those that want to go (I don't), and I raise my eyebrows somewhat about what they teach in puberty and relationship education, but as I don't teach that, or RE, I just get on with my job and it doesn't really bother me. Many teachers here are not Catholics.
I'm just here to teach my subject; religion does not come into my lessons but moral values often do, which are a good thing to promote whatever religion you are (or are not).

I was brought up a catholic but the last time I came into contact with a priest was over 20 years ago when he was giving my dad his last rites.
The priest called my dad by a different name, at first we thought we heard wrong but the second time we didn’t .
My husband had to stop him from going on as me and my mum were mortified, speechless .
He was Drunk .

I was raised Catholic, haven't practiced for over 20 years. I think you would find a lot of people these days in western countries, don't 100% support all rulings of the church (continents life Africa where faith is growing is a different story). I would apply and check it out, see how you feel, there are also differing degrees of how 'Catholic' different schools are.

Also, my son just interviewed for a place at a Catholic secondary school, and it was stressed both he and our family do not need to believe, but have to respect the Catholic faith. From what I saw on the school tour they were very inclusive of LGBTIQ and I would not consider sending him to a school where they are not.

I send my children to a catholic school, it was the school my husband went to and his family are all catholic (ish🙂), My parents are atheists so I was raised without religion in the home. Tbh I love our school, it is smaller like the small primary I went to and honestly it’s main ethos seems just don’t be a asshole. It’s motto is serviam so promotes looking after others and charity. I am really impressed by its inclusive nature and I love the parish priest - he’s been really helpful and cheery when I’ve had to do religious things for our children. (He knows I’m not catholic and doesn’t seem to care).

I think I'm most concerned that I won't "believe" in the school ethos

The school ethos is likely to be about basic moral values that everyone should be able to support. A very large proportion of UK Catholics are pro-choice. You might not want to lead a prayer and you might just have to stand at the side in a mass each term.

The are some very Catholic schools as referenced on here- if you feel uncomfortable just withdraw.

There are some people with deep anti-Catholic prejudice in the UK. Since WWII this has declined substantially but it's only since 2013 that the royal family were permitted to marry Catholics. If this is any part of what you are thinking then give it a miss.

I knew an RE teacher at a a Catholic school who wasn't a Catholic. If the job is good, go for it. Also, I'm an Anglican and I don't see eye to eye with a lot of other Anglicans. People have different opinions.

Also remember you are employed by and paid by Dfe and local authorities not church.

I taught in a Catholic school as a non Catholic. It was a lovely environment and I learned a lot. We had children of different faiths and non faith families and the atmosphere was open and respectful. The main difference I saw was the the emphasis on finding your gifts and using them in service to others rather than work hard, get a good job. It is still about making the best of yourself but a different twist. The more controversial aspects such as abortion were not discussed and as a pp said, many Catholics are not supportive of that stance. The us of the word ‘ gay’ as a casual insult was absolutely stamped out and dealt with whereas I see that tolerated or seen as low priority, at my son’s secular grammar school.
In terms of hiring, the emphasis is on the best person for the job as that is the best for the children. Catholics would be hired in preference where there are 2 equal candidates. SLT tend to be Catholic but I was approached to take up a management position and went on Diocese training( which is where I learned of their hiring policies).
You should give it a go as you would probably be surprised by what you find.