The CES 2005 survey on Admissions to Catholic schools in LA Areas with Selection stimulated a lively debate.  Responses were received from representatives of the majority of schools affected, through the CES on-line forum, in correspondence and in telephone calls to CES offices.

Responses reflected a wide range of experiences and options.  A number of oversubscribed schools considered that a first preference first admissions policy enabled them to ensure a truly comprehensive ability range of committed Catholics, whilst maintaining a high proportion of Catholic students.  Others restated the ecclesial position and argued passionately that their primary purpose must be to offer a place to Catholic children, first and foremost, regardless of their expressed preference.  Not every respondent was critical of Catholic parents who sought a grammar school place for their child – and some suggested that this presented a challenge to Catholic schools that should not be lightly dismissed.  Many were uncomfortable with the notion of denying education in the faith to children of the faith and were able to provide examples of families already and unjustly affected by this type of policy.

The results of the survey were communicated to the Chairman of the CES, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, and will be disseminated to all the bishops this spring, in their Low Week review of Education.