14th March 2007

Religious Schools Urged to Embrace Diversity

The ATL’s recent paper on religious schools gives oxygen to many inaccurate statements about schools with a religious character.

Dr Bousted is entitled to her own views on society but it is not acceptable to condemn schools with a religious character, most of which are offering an excellent and well rounded education to a very broad cross-section of the community, simply because she suggests that society is becoming increasingly secular.

Our Catholic schools are unapologetic about their principles, their policies and the work they do and that this meets all legislative requirements.  Accordingly, we are transparent about religious education in our schools and anyone who is interested will be able to read the quality assured reports on religious education on our website (www.cesew.org.uk). 

The parents of pupils in Church schools are tax payers and actually pay more for their children’s education since they typically pay 10% of the capital costs of the schools.  Catholic schools are very ethnically and socially diverse.  They also continue to welcome refugees, and the many recent migrants from Eastern Europe and elsewhere.  An average of 30% of our pupils come from beyond the Catholic Church, our free school meal levels are very similar to national levels and public bodies including Ofsted and the Commission for Racial Equality have acknowledged the considerable ethnic diversity of our schools.  We expect our schools to contribute to community cohesion and to be able to demonstrate how they do so.  Early in Autumn 2006 I spoke to Lord Adonis to propose that this be a requirement of all schools; an idea that was subsequently picked up and implemented in the Education and Inspections Act.

I wish that Dr Bousted had given the major providers of Church schools an opportunity to inform her report or to at least see it before publication.  I will, however, be inviting Dr Bousted to meet with me so that we can discuss any of these matters further.

Oona Stannard

Chief Executive and Director