"Teaching has an extraordinary moral depth and is one of humanity's excellent and creative activities, for the teacher does not write on inanimate material, but on the very spirits of human beings." (The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium)

Preparing to teach in a Catholic school
There are various avenues open to anyone wishing to prepare for teaching in a Catholic school in Scotland. The only Scottish University which makes special provision to educate teachers for Catholic schools is the University of Glasgow where students enrol in the Faculty of Education.

Primary Teaching
Most aspiring Primary teachers follow a four year B.Ed. degree which combines academic study of various curricular areas, a programme of spiritual formation as well as practical teaching experience through placements in schools. Students follow a course in Religious Education which qualities them to teach R.E. programmes in Catholic schools.

Anyone with a university degree in appropriate subjects can apply for the one-year Postgraduate Diploma course in Primary Education (PGDE) where they will follow a intensive course which can also lead to the Catholic Teacher's Certificate in Religious Education.

Secondary Teaching
Graduates with degrees in appropriate subjects usually complete a one-year Postgraduate Diploma course in Secondary Education (PGDE) where they will follow a intensive course which can also lead to the Catholic Teacher's Certificate in Religious Education.

Other courses
Some specialist courses are available for students wishing to teach Religious Education, Music, Technology as specialist subjects.

Qualification to Teach Religious Education
The Certificate in Religious Education by Distance Learning (CREDL) is a part-time award offered by the University of Glasgow. It is offered to those who are interested in teaching R.E. in Catholic schools and need to be up-to-date with the main tenets of Catholic Christian theology, with a Catholic vision of education and with methodology appropriate to Catholic Religious Education. It can also be of value to those qualified teachers who wish to re-visit their understanding of hese issues as part of their Continuing Professional Development.

General Teaching Council of Scotland
All entrants to the teaching profession require to be registered with the GTCS as having the appropriate qualifications for teaching in Scotland. On completion of a B.Ed. or PGDE course, students can apply for a place in the Probationer Induction scheme which guarantees on one-year full time placement in a school.

Church Approval is required by any Probationer teacher appointed to a Catholic school.