CES approves standardised application form to support recruitment in Catholic schools

The Catholic Education Service (CES) has approved a standardised application form for use in Catholic schools, supporting a more consistent, robust and compliant approach to recruitment across the sector.

The application form has been developed by Torfaen County Borough Council using the iTrent system and working in collaboration with the CES to ensure it meets national requirements while supporting a modern and streamlined recruitment approach within local authority systems.

Supporting consistent recruitment

The introduction of a single, standardised application form ensures that key applicant information is captured consistently across all roles and supports compliance with CES requirements.

This enables Catholic schools to:

• Ensure consistency and fairness in recruitment processes

• Standardise information capture

• Reduce reliance on multiple locally developed application forms

• Provide a more efficient and accessible experience for applicants

Developed through practical implementation

The application form has been developed through operational delivery within the iTrent system, based on practical experience of school recruitment processes.

Working in collaboration with the CES, this approach has ensured that the form:

• Meets CES requirements and expectations

• Is fully compatible with existing recruitment systems

• Can be adopted more widely across local authority settings

This reflects a strong partnership between local authority innovation and national guidance, supporting a consistent approach to recruitment across the Catholic education sector.

A collaborative approach to sector improvement

By working collaboratively, Torfaen County Borough Council and the CES have supported the development of a practical and scalable solution that balances compliance and efficiency.

A spokesperson for the Catholic Education Service said: “The CES is pleased to have worked with Torfaen County Borough Council to ensure that this application form is suitable for use in Catholic schools and academy trusts. Supporting schools to adopt consistent and compliant recruitment practices that enable them to attract the best candidates remains a key priority for the CES.”