Crisis looms in faith schools

Jan 18 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

A CITY university is taking steps to stem the “looming” recruitment crisis facing faith schools.

Liverpool Hope University, the only ecumenical university in Europe, this week held one of the only UK career events specifically aimed at students considering careers teaching in faith schools.

It offered the chance to meet potential future employers from Christian educational institutes both Catholic and Anglican, in order to find out how to progress in their chosen career path.

Nearly 400 students attended the event.

Paul Gaunt, acting head of career development at Hope, said: "If we don't address the decline in recruitment of faith-based teachers now, the future looks bleak for faith schools.

“All our teaching students undertake at least one teaching placement at a faith school. Whether they apply for posts in a faith or a non faith-based school, this teaching experience often makes them highly sought-after.”