'Liberal' Scotland displays a deep disregard for people of faith

Ms Forbes had also been invited to deliver the keynote speech at the Catholic Headteachers Association of Primary Schools annual conference last year. “In my opinion, she was quite brilliant. But I was appalled at the way some in her own party had treated her during that leadership campaign and the abuse she endured on social media.

“To me, it was indicative of how persons of faith in this country holding alternative viewpoints from the current trend can be ridiculed and cancelled. And that this is happening in supposedly liberal, diverse Scotland. It’s chilling.

Professor Roisin Coll praises Scotland’s deputy First Minister Kate Forbes (Image: Jeff J Mitchell)

“It was a privilege for the leadership of Catholic schools in Scotland to listen to her and speak with her. She didn’t attempt to give a party-political broadcast: rather she spoke of how her faith supports her in her role and how she draws strength from that. It was an inspiration to any principled person or person of faith.”

After a six-year stint, Professor Coll is standing down from her position as Director of the St Andrews Foundation, which trains primary and secondary teachers for the Catholic schools sector in Scotland. She is a fierce advocate for the entire Scottish education system, though acknowledges the challenges that schools and pupils have faced following the missed Covid year. Yet, she admits to being depressed that in 2024, she and many of her colleagues still feel required to defend the existence of Catholic state schools in Scotland.

According to recent Scottish Government statistics, Catholic secondary schools were more likely to educate pupils from deprived areas and from minority ethnic groups than non-denominational schools, yet a higher percentage hit exam target benchmarks drawn up by the Scottish Government.

Analysis showed that in 21 per cent of Catholic secondary schools, more than half of all pupils come from the most deprived data zones in the country. The same figure for non-denominational schools was eight per cent.

For primary schools, the poverty divide was even starker. Figures showed that 37 per cent of Catholic primaries took more than 50 per cent of pupils from the most deprived areas of Scotland, while only 13 per cent of non-denominational primaries take half their pupils from the most deprived neighbourhoods.

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Yet, despite the increased rates of poverty, Catholic schools were more likely than non-denominational schools to hit government benchmarks for pupils achieving five or more Highers. Around 63 per cent of Catholic schools hit or exceeded their benchmark, while just 45 per cent of non-denominational schools performed at expected levels.

“Scotland should have a diverse range of faith and non-faith schools,” she said, with each having their own distinctive identity. Catholic schools exist all over the world, indeed the Church is the largest NGO provider of education on the planet, but nowhere else do they receive negative attention than in Scotland.

“That is sad, particularly since they are so successful and the choice of 20% of families in the country, of all faiths and none. Catholic schools are open to all families and offer parents something distinctive for their children. It’s an education that puts Gospel values at the centre of its offer and promotes the dignity of each pupil. Yes, we all want our pupils to attain the highest academic standards possible but we also see beyond that. Our faith teaches us that every person is made in the image and likeness of God. It’s radical and counter-cultural and it’s never been more needed in Scotland.”

She points to the sporadic letters that routinely appear in The Herald and other publications and articles by some political commentators as evidence that in diverse, enlightened and progressive Scotland there remains significant animosity towards Catholic schools.

“I’ll never understand the reasoning that informs this,” said Professor Coll. “The faith-based approach informs how pupils and staff are treated; how we speak to one another; the encouragement given to pupils to use their God-given talents to pursue success (in all its forms); the importance of relationships; the celebration of our uniqueness; the commitment to dialogue with those holding opposing views; opportunities to come together as a community in times of sorrow or happiness to give thanks; and the commitment to excellence in teaching and learning to ensure young people are equipped to make informed choices.

Our Catholic schools have never been more relevant than today. It’s why 20% of Scotland’s families – from a range of faith backgrounds and none – opt in. We don’t claim a monopoly on virtue and not all Catholic schools get it right, but there’s a common understanding that their distinctiveness is a strength.”

Professor Coll recalls introducing then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon delivering a landmark speech in Glasgow in 2018 on the centenary of the Catholic Education Act. Back then she had described Ms Sturgeon’s address as a landmark moment for the Catholic community in Scotland, but has now slightly revised that opinion in the light of the experience of what has happened since.

“Six years on from that endorsement, there’s been no turn of the tide for Catholic schools. On reflection, It wasn’t the defining moment we then thought it was. Beyond that statement and some funding to support courses to teach RE there has been little follow up.

“I’ve not seen many actions to promote or support the distinctive nature of the Catholic school or the teachers within, even though our schools meet a deep social need in some of our most deprived areas. Indeed, some of the education policies introduced have been driven by ideologies that run counter to the philosophies we promote in a Catholic school.

“In Scotland, we supposedly prize our diversity and liberal attitudes, but we’re anything but that. There remains a widespread and deep disregard for people of faith. I may be Professor of Catholic Education but first and foremost, I am a mother. I have four children: two stepsons in their 20s and two young daughters still at school, so I witness the challenges that the girls currently face in Scottish society, particularly owing to social media.

“We are now seeing something I would describe as ‘fear pressure’. This is fuelled predominantly by social media, where young people of faith are scared to speak up for what they believe in. It’s rooted in fear of being rejected, cancelled, ridiculed and even attacked. Schools across the county are trying hard to combat this and to equip young people resourcefully for the digital era and this is good.

Nicola Sturgeon (Image: free)

“Who would have believed though, that six years after the First Minister of Scotland endorsed the contribution Catholic schools make to Scottish society that there would still be hostility to religion and faith?”

She also expressed a measure of frustration at the Catholic Bishops’ softly-softly approach to media engagement. “Look, the St Andrew’s Foundation has a very positive working relationship with the Bishops and I’ve been very supported by them in my role. But while I don’t envy their role, I do think there are opportunities for them to be more proactive and vocal about some matters, particularly since I believe that a stronger presence and visibility in the media would really support the wider Catholic community.

“Three years ago, they produced what I considered to be an excellent and pastoral statement on their position in relation to the gender debate, but it should have been written and produced earlier and they could have communicated it and promote it better. People are seeking leadership on such matters.

“Society needs voices and perspectives that differ from and challenge the prevailing dogmas of the political classes, such as the gender debate. In this way we can enable people to make informed choices about their own positions without fear of being cancelled.”