Discover the previously-untold story of the men and women who built Catholic education in England and Wales against the odds. Drawing together archives, personal histories, and long-overlooked sources, it reveals how a scattered, impoverished community created a thriving network of schools and a distinct teaching profession.
From the challenges of penal times to the reforms of the 1944 Education Act, this rich and deeply researched study uncovers a world shaped by faith, resilience, and determination. It highlights the vital role of religious orders, the influence of Irish immigration, and the dedication of teachers – many of them working in hardship and prejudice – whose efforts transformed generations.
Insightful and compelling, The Forgotten Profession is an essential account of a hidden history that still shapes education today.
This study of the Catholic Teacher Profession in England and Wales up to the 1944 Education Act is an ambitious task. Drawing on many years of research, Peter Boylan skilfully recounts this complex story. The development of teaching professionals for Catholic schools is carefully contextualised within the era of Catholic emancipation and the emergence of the restored Catholic hierarchy. He traces the evolution from poorly paid Church employees who had to ‘know their place’ to a body of well-qualified and respected professional women and men committed to Catholic education. This engaging and scholarly study is a labour of love, nurtured over many years by a man who is immersed in Catholic education.
Professor Stephen McKinney, University of Glasgow
