Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, Oona Stannard and Archbishop Vincent Nichols

Catholic schools are “leading the way”, says Ed Balls

Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, says that Catholic schools are “leading the way” on issues of diversity, community cohesion and promoting opportunity

The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families yesterday praised Catholic schools at the CES annual Parliamentary Reception to celebrate, promote and affirm Catholic education.  He joined head teachers, principals of Catholic sixth form colleges, diocesan officers, MPs, Peers and other friends of Catholic education to celebrate the success of so many Catholic schools and colleges in providing a well-rounded education for more than 800,000 young people in England and Wales.

Mr Balls, who was joined later by Schools Minister Jim Knight, told of his respect for the efforts of the Churches, noting that historically, they were the first providers of free public education and emphasised that Catholic schools and colleges are “leading the way” on many key issues, including the promotion of community cohesion.  He thanked providers of Catholic education and the CES for all the work we do with the Government to raise standards and create opportunities for all.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham and Chairman of the CES, told the invited guests that Catholic schools and colleges always seek to create a community and that they “have to be imaginative and compelling in the ways in which they demonstrate and embody a unity in diversity”.  He showed how Catholic schools and colleges are in the front line in attempts to present, explain and embody the teachings and values of the Catholic Church in everyday life, something that is difficult to do in today’s society, and that they deserve the full support of the community for their endeavours. 

Oona Stannard, Chief Executive and Director of the CES, took as her theme Where you go, others will follow.  She paid tribute to diocesan officers as the “unsung heroes” of Catholic education, ensuring firm foundations, support and advice locally for their schools.  She praised them and their Catholic schools and colleges for “creating a sense of community, clear boundaries, addressing disadvantage, building esteem and developing high aspirations”.  She also reminded guests that Catholic schools are renowned for their ethos.  

Ms Stannard was delighted to welcome representatives of Catholic Sixth Form Colleges, highlighting “their belief in the innate goodness of young people”.  “If you want to see community cohesion in action”, she said, “take a look at these colleges”.  She also emphasised the ongoing need “to be innovative and courageous in providing a well balanced curriculum” in post-16 education. 

She thanked all teachers and principals for their work but singled out those who teach and coordinate Religious Education for their special contribution.  Ms Stannard described the fruits of their work as often “nothing short of spectacular”. Thanking all in Catholic education, she said, however, that we are not complacent and we know that we still have “bullets to bite”. 

ENDS

For more information please contact Laura McCann, Policy and Briefing Officer: t: 0207 901 4854 e: lmccann@cesew.org.uk w: www.cesew.org.uk

Notes to editors:

·                     This is the fourth annual CES Parliamentary Reception held in the House of Commons.  Guests enjoy the opportunity to meet and share their experiences of Catholic education in different parts of the country and the occasion is a public celebration of the distinctive and diverse nature of Catholic education.  The Reception affirms providers’ commitment to Catholic education and acknowledges their role in educating around 800,000 young people in England and Wales from a wide variety of backgrounds. 

·                     The guest list includes head teachers and members of school senior management teams, principals of Catholic Sixth Form Colleges, diocesan officers and Parliamentarians, among others.

·                     Lady (Patricia) Morris of Bolton, Conservative spokesperson for Children, Schools and Families in the House of Lords was the main host for 2008 (previous hosts have been Labour MPs, including Geraldine Smith MP in 2007).

·                     This year the CES celebrated the excellent work being undertaken in Catholic school sixth forms and Catholic Sixth Form Colleges and excellence in religious education in the primary phase. 

·                     There are 17 Catholic sixth form colleges in England and Wales.

Stephen O'Brien, Northampton Diocese and Maxine Clewlow, Head teacher of St John Rigby Catholic Lower School, Bedford, with Rt Hon Ed Balls MP