Becoming Catholic school is 'best thing' for St Andrew's College
"WE ARE committed to providing a quality education for the young people here and those who will join us in the future."
This is the message from the principal of St Andrew's College, in Cleethorpes, as public consultations take place over its transformation into a Catholic school.
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‘QUALITY EDUCATION’ Principal at St Andrew’s College Louise Wilson. Picture: Jon Corken
As reported, the college has secured academy sponsorship from the Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service (NRCDES), which would see it move from a joint-faith school to a Catholic one.
If it went ahead, it would welcome all students of any religion.
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But if the roll becomes full, pupils from St Joseph's Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy and St Mary's Catholic Primary School will be given priority.
A public consultation session took place at the college to share information about the plan.
Principal Louise Wilson believes that the best thing for the school is to become the St Andrew's Catholic Academy.
She said: "This is absolutely the best thing for St Andrew's.
"It is an exciting opportunity and we have already had lots of positive feedback from our online questionnaire.
"We are genuinely taking people's views into consideration and we are still in the consultation period.
"I am looking forward to continuing to improve on the strong improvements that have already been made in the school in the last year."
Gail Neil, the director of education at the Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service (NRCDES), was in attendance.
"We will welcome anyone who wants to come to this school," she said. "Pupils will get a Christian education environment, but we value all faiths.
"The Diocese of Nottingham has put itself forward as a sponsor because we want to support the staff, the school and the pupils here.
"We see the school moving forward and, in the next few years, becoming outstanding.
"We will assist the mission of making Christ known to all people and also be able to service the local church. St Andrew's is already on a journey of improvement and we want to support that in the future."
The school's governing body already manages the school finances, staff employment and admissions, so an actual conversion to academy status will not be as significant as for a local authority-maintained school.
The Reverend Ian Walker, from New Waltham, was one of the visitors to the consultation.
He said: "I am happy with what has been said, as long as Christian pupils from all faiths get the option to study at St Andrew's."
Another event was being held tonight at St Joseph's Primary School – see your Telegraph for continued coverage.
As reported, the consultation period will end on Friday, October 26. For more information, visit www.standrews.ne-lincs.sch.uk.
What do you think?
Share your thoughts on the issue by e-mailing viewpoint@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk or by commenting on this article.
Comments
by The_Toecutter
Monday, October 22 2012, 9:54AM
“JonathanGTFC, the RE syllabus does cover all faiths. My daughter is currently in Year 11 at st Andrew's. She has already passed her GCSE in RE & I've seen her work. All faiths were covered.”
by lildog
Thursday, October 18 2012, 4:05PM
“Curriculum it may be, but as in all religious education, a wide coverage of teaching about all faiths is a basic requirement. If you look at the intake in the primary catholic schools, there is already a cross-section of faiths and mixed nationalities, so why should it differ in a re-named secondary college.”
by BaWSox
Thursday, October 18 2012, 2:04PM
“Surely in the 21st Century if we are to have a "faith school" it should be multi-faith. Do not discriminate against non-Catholics... or non religious either for that matter.
What if an atheist child attends that school? Are they forced to pray and sing Christian hymns?”
by JonathanGTFC
Thursday, October 18 2012, 1:57PM
“lildog - by agenda I don't mean curriculum. I mean they have a religious agenda, which involves bringing Jesus Christ and Catholicism into the lives of young people. I do not object to religious education (RE) where each faith can be studied and explored. But I do object to a specific faith running a school and exploiting their influence on children.”
by lildog
Thursday, October 18 2012, 1:40PM
“JonathanGTFC,
Agenda? Yes they have an agenda:-
It,s more or less the same as for other schools, and they do have to cover other religions in their studies, as other schools do.
CeeK1
Currently there are two Catholic schools and a joint religious school in NELC. Historically it wasn't just down to the Catholic diocese, the closure, but parents of children were told, by the council, it was being closed due to falling numbers at the school, the falling numbers being precipitated by parents being told it was closing, and there was a race to get places at other schools locally.
And why is it that St Andrews is being asked to become an academy, be it that it will be a Catholic one?”
by JonathanGTFC
Thursday, October 18 2012, 10:51AM
“"pupils will get a Christian education environment"
"the mission of making Christ known to all people"
How can you trust a school that clearly has an agenda to abide by? Surely this is indoctrination? Religious dogma should be kept as far away from young peple as possible.
Are they going to bypass Evolution in Science class? At least the GCSE results will be good, they can just answer 'God did it' for every answer, A*.”
by CeeK1
Thursday, October 18 2012, 10:05AM
“Oh I am sorry, I thought Grimsby already had a Catholic school, oh, once again I am sorry St Mary's was closed by the same diocese!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Didn't see this one coming much! Pathetic!”