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Insights into the Career Development of Non-Religious Teachers in Post-Primary Religious Schools on the Island of Ireland

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Title: Insights into the Career Development of Non-Religious Teachers in Post-Primary Religious Schools on the Island of Ireland
Language: English
Authors: James Nelson (ORCID 0000-0001-5948-3527), Catherine Stapleton
Source: Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice. 2025 31(5):747-765.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative
Descriptors: Career Development, Religious Schools, Foreign Countries, Religious Factors, Teacher Attitudes, Expectation, Beliefs, Occupational Aspiration
Geographic Terms: Ireland, United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)
DOI: 10.1080/13540602.2024.2381050
ISSN: 1354-0602
1470-1278
Abstract: This article investigates the lived experiences of non-religious teachers in post-primary schools with religious cultures on the island of Ireland, particularly with regard to career development and promotion. At the time of the research, both jurisdictions on the island had legal exceptions from equality employment law in schools. Based on 15 interviews with non-religious teachers and with reference to literature on school ethos, teacher beliefs and agency, we investigate how the professional experience of teachers is shaped by the religious environment. The predominant response of non-religious teachers in religious schools is to hide or suppress their worldview. There is evidence too that their relationships with colleagues and pupils are inhibited when the religious culture discourages openness and diversity. Overall, they have modest expectations for career development or promotion. We conclude that legislative change is an important corrective to reduce religious discrimination, but it is only part of the solution. Active steps should also be taken by schools in Ireland and Northern Ireland to cultivate an inclusive spirit in which the school is regarded as an 'authentic community' where difference is normalised and all teachers are empowered to have full participation in the life of the school.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506746
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Insights into the Career Development of Non-Religious Teachers in Post-Primary Religious Schools on the Island of Ireland
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22James+Nelson%22">James Nelson</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5948-3527">0000-0001-5948-3527</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Catherine+Stapleton%22">Catherine Stapleton</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Teachers+and+Teaching%3A+Theory+and+Practice%22"><i>Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice</i></searchLink>. 2025 31(5):747-765.
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Evaluative
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Career+Development%22">Career Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Religious+Schools%22">Religious Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Religious+Factors%22">Religious Factors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Attitudes%22">Teacher Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Expectation%22">Expectation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Beliefs%22">Beliefs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Occupational+Aspiration%22">Occupational Aspiration</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ireland%22">Ireland</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Kingdom+%28Northern+Ireland%29%22">United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1080/13540602.2024.2381050
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  Data: 1354-0602<br />1470-1278
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  Data: This article investigates the lived experiences of non-religious teachers in post-primary schools with religious cultures on the island of Ireland, particularly with regard to career development and promotion. At the time of the research, both jurisdictions on the island had legal exceptions from equality employment law in schools. Based on 15 interviews with non-religious teachers and with reference to literature on school ethos, teacher beliefs and agency, we investigate how the professional experience of teachers is shaped by the religious environment. The predominant response of non-religious teachers in religious schools is to hide or suppress their worldview. There is evidence too that their relationships with colleagues and pupils are inhibited when the religious culture discourages openness and diversity. Overall, they have modest expectations for career development or promotion. We conclude that legislative change is an important corrective to reduce religious discrimination, but it is only part of the solution. Active steps should also be taken by schools in Ireland and Northern Ireland to cultivate an inclusive spirit in which the school is regarded as an 'authentic community' where difference is normalised and all teachers are empowered to have full participation in the life of the school.
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        Value: 10.1080/13540602.2024.2381050
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 19
        StartPage: 747
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      – SubjectFull: Career Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Religious Schools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Religious Factors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Expectation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Beliefs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Occupational Aspiration
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Ireland
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)
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      – TitleFull: Insights into the Career Development of Non-Religious Teachers in Post-Primary Religious Schools on the Island of Ireland
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            NameFull: Catherine Stapleton
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              Value: 31
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