Birmingham Diocesan Education ServiceForming Christ-centred pilgrims of hope with kind hearts, questioning minds, a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for justice. About us What We Offer Our MIssion and Values Our vision and strategy Our schools Our Schools Admissions CSI Inspections Our work with schools Catholic Education High quality inclusive education Raising Standards: Best Practice Leadership Recruitment and Formation Finance and Operations Directives and Protocols DES Model Policies and Information Work with us Flourishing Catholic Workforce Train to Teach in Catholic Schools Vacancies Governance What's on Training and Events DES Circulars 2025 Pilgrims of Hope Get in Touch Safeguarding Definition of a Practising Catholic In the Archdiocese of Birmingham, we define a ‘practising Catholic’ as follows. A person who: is a Catholic by Baptism or Reception into Full Communion with the Catholic Church. complies with the obligation to participate in the Mass on Sundays and holydays of obligation. is committed to the Church’s educational mission. lives out one's faith in personal prayer and in action. Applicants’ eligibility against this criterion will be determined by a reference from their parish priest or the parish priest or chaplain where they regularly attend Mass. For senior leadership posts, candidates will also be asked to confirm on their application form and in their interview that they are practising Catholics. For further information, see: Mgr Marcus Stock, Christ at the Centre: Why the Church Provides Catholic Schools, Revised (London: Catholic Truth Society, 2012), pp.26-34: Christ at the Centre Manage Cookie Preferences