Following Mass celebrated by Archbishop Cushley, Ken Muir, Chief Executive of the General Teaching Council of Scotland, was the main speaker at the Open Forum. Addressing an audience of teachers, parents, clergy and students, he highlighted many of the current challenges and opportunities facing the teaching profession in Scotland at this time.

Following Ken’s input, Michael McGrath, SCES Director, spoke to the particular challenges of ensuring that Catholic schools were able to recruit sufficient numbers of teachers who understand and are fully committed to the values of Catholic education.

In his closing remarks, Archbishop Philip Tartaglia referred to the work of SCES and its Executive Board. He indicated that many of the priorities identified in the Open Forum were already being addressed by SCES, in partnership with others. He promised the support of the Bishops’ Conference who recognised the great value of Catholic schools in grounding young people in faith.

The next Open Forum session will take place in Dundee on Saturday 5th March 2016.