Exploring the extent to which ‘spiritual capital’ is impactful in a cross-section of Catholic independent schools with a founding religious trusteeship

Abstract

Gerald Grace (2002. Catholic Schools: Mission, Markets and Morality. London: Routledge), borrowing from the sociological constructs of Pierre Bourdieu, speaks of the significance of the spiritual and cultural capital of religious orders in providing a substantial catalyst in the development of Catholic education in England and Wales This article endeavours to explore the extent to which spiritual capital remains impactful in a cross-section of Catholic Independent schools with a founding religious trusteeship in the UK, taking into account the changing ecclesial demography within the Catholic Church in the UK alongside contemporary education challenges. Following a critical retrieval of literature relating to the concept of spiritual capital, this article will classify and interpret research evidence based interviews with headteachers of a range of Catholic Independent schools.