Catholic Sixth Form Colleges and the Distinctive Aims of Catholic Education

Abstract

This paper argues that a twin‐track approach to spiritual provision that distinguishes ‘spiritual development’ (educational in intent, relevant for all) from ‘developing spirituality’ (catechetical in intent and therefore inappropriate for some) enables Catholic sixth form colleges to fulfil both educational and catechetical aims, as appropriate. Distinguishing between ‘spiritual development’ and ‘developing spirituality’ allows Catholic colleges to take spiritual education seriously whilst simultaneously fulfilling the aims of Catholic education to (1) provide for catechesis; (2) promote dialogue with other faith traditions and with secular society; and (3) provide appropriate holistic education for all students. Construing ‘spiritual development’ in exclusive religious terms disallows Catholic colleges, with their plural intakes, from providing spiritual development for all. In other words, the distinction proposed here a/lows Catholic colleges to be genuinely Catholic and at the same time to engage in authentic education as more widely perceived.