31^st October 2006

Thanks to the Catholic Community for their Action in Response to the Proposed Amendment to Introduce ‘Quotas’ for Admissions to Faith Schools

I write to thank the Catholic community for its strong support of Catholic schools during the current passage of the Education and Inspection Bill, particularly in relation to opposition to plans to introduce ‘quotas’ for non faith places in new Catholic schools. 

I have been left in no doubt about the strength of feeling that was made apparent to parliamentarians and officials by parishioners, parents, teachers and others on this issue.  It is in no small measure thanks to this action that we no longer have to face the prospect of such quotas.  The Catholic community helped parliamentarians and officials to hear the cogency of our argument that the introduction of quotas was both unnecessary and that it would be undermining of cohesion. 

I am grateful to Ministers and their officials for the discussions that we were able to have with them and their decision that an amendment on admissions would be unnecessary.  We now look forward to continuing to work with our many partners in education to ensure that we all help to bring about community cohesion, and also to enable those who seek a place in new Catholic schools to look forward to obtaining such a place without diminishing the opportunity for Catholic pupils to attend those schools.

Oona Stannard

Chief Executive and Director