The History of Catholic Schools in Scotland
Catholic schools in Scotland are public schools - designated as "denominational schools" because they were, from the 1920s onwards, gradually transferred from Church ownership to State ownership. The 1918 Education Act in Scotland guaranteed the following rights to the Catholic community:

·        Catholic schools were to be funded by the State and open to inspection by Her Majesty's Inspectors;

·        as public schools, Catholic schools were to be open to all, but were expected to retain their own ethos and identity in order to serve the needs of the Catholic community;

·        any teacher appointed to any post was required to be approved by the Church with respect to their "religious belief and character";

·        the local education authority was to appoint, with the approval of the Church, a Supervisor for Religious Education in Catholic schools.

A Partnership Project
The Catholic school is supported in its mission by the active partnership of the home, the school and the parish. Together, they provide support for the faith community, helping to form and develop in all a mature Christian conscience, in addressing the increasingly secular influences of popular culture.

In some areas, where no Catholic schools are available, education in faith is provided in homes and parishes, thanks to the efforts of committed parents, parish clergy and trained catechists.