Children enjoy collective worship at school

We wish to correct the assertion that the CES (Catholic Education Service) is "to mount action for the right to force 18-year-olds to attend mass" (Rights and wrongs, September 26). Catholic schools and colleges were established to provide a Catholic education, primarily for Catholic children and young people, but also for others who choose to attend, where there are places available. All the institutions are designated in law as having a Catholic character and are required to act in accordance with their trust deed and to provide Catholic religious education, locally agreed.

It is to be expected that collective worship and religious education will be at the heart of a Catholic school. Collective worship rarely takes the form of mass, but is an occasion in which young people can come together in a spirit of reflection, in community. It plays an integral role in the life of every school and college and contributes to the spiritual wellbeing and moral development of every student. The popularity of these occasions and of religious education classes is that they are very well attended, whether or not they are compulsory.

Oona Stannard
Chief executive and director, Catholic Education Service, London SW1