16th September 2008
Dear Sir,
Response to article in the Independent (10th September 2008) Faith schools ‘will hinder fight against terrorism’
I was saddened to read the personal remark of Professor David Canter about faith schools. Intemperate remarks that are ill-informed do not enhance the debate concerning schools with a religious character. While clear about their identity, Catholic schools welcome children and young people of different faiths. Indeed 30% of our pupils are not from Catholic backgrounds, and parents choose Catholic schools recognising that they are communities founded on respect for all. In fact OfSTED says that Catholic schools have better provision for pupils’ personal development than other schools (60% of Catholic secondary schools scored excellent/very good on the measure of “respect for others” 2003-2005 compared with 30% in other schools).
The Catholic Church, along with other faith communities, was educating the poor and vulnerable in society long before the 1870 Education Act which brought about free, universal elementary education. The relationship between the Government and faith communities was formalised and extended in the 1944 Education Act without any of the consequences suggest by Professor Canter. Under the joint system schools with a religious character have flourished, are popular with parents and account for a third of the nation’s schools. The situation in Northern Ireland is particular to that community and it is perverse to suggest that Northern Ireland’s complicated history is about to be replicated in England and Wales as a result of our system of providing for parental choice in the matter of schooling.
The Independent would serve its readers well by featuring some of the many examples of the excellent contribution of faith schools to community cohesion in this country.
Kind regards,
Oona Stannard
Chief Executive and Director
Catholic Education Service for England and Wales
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