National School of Formation · Christ the Teacher
Formed for service.
Ready for transformation.
Space to renew your vocation, deepen your understanding of Catholic education and grow through encounter with others.
The National School of Formation programmes have begun. We are now welcoming early registrations and expressions of interest for 2027–2028.
Christ the Teacher
Formation rooted in the mission of Catholic education
Catholic leadership asks us to keep returning to the purpose of our work. Christ the Teacher offers time to pray, listen and examine that purpose alongside other leaders.
Through residential gatherings, study visits and personal accompaniment, delegates explore how faith shapes their judgement, their relationships and their service to the communities entrusted to them.
Return to the mission
Examine what Catholic education offers and how its purpose becomes visible through your leadership.
Grow through encounter
Listen to different experiences and consider what human dignity and the common good ask of your decisions.
Lead with confidence
Develop the understanding and confidence to articulate Catholic mission and put it into practice.
The programme experience
A year of formation with others
Residential formation
Four shared residential experiences, including the National Retreat, provide sustained time for input, prayer, discussion and reflection.
Study visits
Meet people and organisations whose work brings Catholic Social Teaching into daily practice. Consider what their example asks of your own leadership.
A national community
Build relationships with Catholic education leaders across different settings, with opportunities for continuing formation through the NSF network.
Personal accompaniment
The offer of a spiritual guide supports reflection on your vocation and the questions arising through the programme.
Looking ahead · 2027–2028
Register your interest in the next programme
Are you considering Christ the Teacher for yourself, a colleague or a member of your leadership team? Complete our early registration and expression of interest form for the 2027–2028 National School of Formation programmes.
The form covers both Christ the Teacher and Tabor. Select the programme you are interested in, or indicate that you would like to explore both.
This form records your interest in the next intake. Dates, fees and full arrangements for 2027–2028 will be confirmed separately.
Bookings for the 2026–2027 cohorts have closed because the programmes have begun.
Current delegates · Cohort 10 · 2026–2027
Your residential programme dates
These dates are retained for delegates already participating in Cohort 10. They are not dates for the 2027–2028 intake.
The four residential experiences take place at Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry.
Immersion Event
Wednesday to Friday
Deepening Event
Thursday to Friday
Accompaniment Event
Thursday to Friday
National Retreat
Thursday to Friday
Included for Cohort 10 delegates
Missionary Discipleship in Joy and Hope
The 2027 National Retreat brings delegates into a wider gathering of Catholic education leaders for prayer, reflection and renewal.
Explore the National Retreat 10–11 June 2027Learning and reflection
Formation that reaches back into your work
Delegates bring the questions and responsibilities of their own settings into the programme. Input and reading create starting points for conversation, while prayer and encounter make room for deeper reflection.
The programme does not require written assignments. Reading, a monthly newsletter and opportunities for dialogue support learning between gatherings.
Completion is recognised through an EducareM certificate and entry into the NSF National Network. Information about any postgraduate credit arrangements is available through the programme team.
Programme Lead: Brendan Duffy, Director of the National School of Formation Christ the Teacher Programme and Education Adviser.
The NSF community
Time to learn alongside others
Shared experience gives leaders space to listen, question and support one another beyond the immediate demands of school life.
Current delegates · Study visits · 2026–2027
Encountering mission in action
These visits support delegates already enrolled on the current programme. Closing cohort recruitment does not close the programme’s ongoing formation activities.
Joining instructions and any remaining arrangements will be shared with delegates through programme communications.
Thursday 5 November 2026
Harrow, London
Ignite Youth
Explore the work of Ignite Youth and consider how mentoring, relationships and opportunity can support young people.
Visit leader: Sr Judith Russi SSMN, Founder and Director, EducareM.
Joint Christ the Teacher and Tabor visit.
Thursday 19 November 2026
King’s Cross and Westminster, London
Women@TheWell and the Cardinal Hume Centre
Encounter the work of Women@TheWell and the Cardinal Hume Centre. Reflect on welcome, dignity and the support people need to build greater stability.
Visit leader: Dr Maureen Glackin, Senior Education Policy Adviser, CES.
Wednesday 25 November 2026
Birmingham
Fatima House and St Chad’s Sanctuary
Learn from the welcome and practical support offered through Fatima House and St Chad’s Sanctuary. Consider what these encounters ask of Catholic leadership and service.
Visit leader: Julie-Anne Tallon, Director, Catholic Primary Partnership.
Date to be confirmed
Greater Manchester
Cornerstone Centre and Greater Manchester Youth Forum
Visit the Cornerstone Centre and Greater Manchester Youth Forum. Explore how listening, practical support and participation contribute to the common good.
Visit leader: Monica Walczak, Consultant Coordinator, NSF Programmes.
Considering the next intake?
Who is Christ the Teacher for?
The programme welcomes interest from leaders serving Catholic education across different roles and settings.
- Headteachers
- Directors
- Chairs and governors
- Diocesan officers
- Board members
- Trustees
Leaders from maintained and independent Catholic education are invited to explore how the programme could support their vocation and responsibilities.
If you are considering Tabor for middle and senior leaders, you can indicate this on the same 2027–2028 form.
Current cohort information · 2026–2027
Fees, venue and recognition
The information below relates to the current Cohort 10 programme. It should not be used as a quotation for the 2027–2028 intake.
2026–2027 programme fee
£1,995 for the full programme, including participation in the 2027 National Retreat.
Cohort bookings are now closed.
Early arrival
The current programme’s optional early-arrival add-on is £125.
Existing delegates should confirm arrangements with the programme team.
Coombe Abbey Hotel
The current programme’s four residential experiences are held at Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry.
Continuing formation
Completion is marked by an EducareM certificate and membership of the NSF National Network, with opportunities to remain connected and continue learning.
Early registration · 2027–2028
Take the next step in your formation
Tell us about your interest in Christ the Teacher, Tabor or both programmes using the shared National School of Formation form.
The 2026–2027 programmes have begun and cohort bookings are closed.
For information about how EducareM handles personal information, please read our Privacy Policy.
Study Visits
International Study Visit: Manila (Oct 2017)
Ten members of the National School of Formation participated in a high-profile research visit to Manila. The delegation visited St Scholastica’s College, led by the Benedictine Sisters, which has pioneered an innovative curriculum and formation programme rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. The school places a strong emphasis on advocacy for people experiencing poverty and marginalisation. Of particular interest to the NSF delegates was its commitment to active service, involving every pupil and member of staff. The visit also included a meeting with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and opportunities to engage with a wide range of educationalists involved in transformational education.
