The principal’s role in nurturing catholic school identity in the Republic of Ireland: implications for leadership development and succession planning

The role of a school principal is increasingly complex; in Catholic schools, principals face the additional challenge of navigating the terrain between State demands and the requirements of the Catholic community, managing multifaceted and sometimes competing expectations. This paper investigates contemporary views and experiences of principals (headteachers) in Catholic secondary schools in the Republic of Ireland. It examines the results of the first large scale, mixed methods empirical study into Catholic school ethos in the Republic of Ireland, of which leadership is an essential dimension. Employing both survey and semistructured interview data, it analyses the practices, views and experiences of principals of secondary Catholic schools and highlights the role and reality of leading a Catholic school in the Republic of Ireland today. Findings demonstrate a level of commitment and professionalism among principals, and much in the way of good practice and commitment to ethos. However, they also indicate succession concerns and an urgent need for leadership development supports for existing and aspiring Catholic school principals. While the study is carried out in Ireland, it is also of interest to other Catholic education systems looking to the future of school leadership.