Faith in Faith Schools?
An excellent article in yesterday’s Daily Telegraph on faith schools caused me to think about the future of those schools in Wales, especially in light of Edwina Hart’s comments during the Welsh Labour leadership campaign that they “should be left to wither on the vine.”
I attended the Bishop of Llandaff Church-in-Wales secondary school in Cardiff. It was the natural choice for my family where church played an important part in our lives. The decision wasn’t part of some middle class trend, I doubt at the time if my parents considered themselves to be in this category, it was a choice about the type of schooling based on their and my beliefs.
Church schools in Cardiff like Welsh medium schools are fewer in number than other maintained schools, and as a result their catchment areas therefore are usually wider. We had a good cross section of pupils from most of Cardiff, Barry and the Vale attending what is still an excellent school. The political left have traditionally seen faith schools as elitist and the comments by the Health Minister show a worrying lack of understanding.
I firmly believe in an expansion of faith schools, they provide excellent standards and are usually found in several slots in the top ten of schools. As opposed to being the preserve of the middle classes they can provide huge opportunities for pupils in areas who otherwise would have to settle for the local Comp. An education through the Christian ethos can be of tremendous benefit, where an understanding and appreciation of faith in our education system is capable of breaking down barriers in a society where we are becoming increasingly suspicious of others.
The lack of ambition for a diverse education system is holding Wales back and not providing an educational experience which promotes choice and responds to our diversity as a nation.
January 15th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
I share you views and parents who decide to send their Children to the Bishop of Llandaff School would also share that belief. We are certainly not elitest and with the 20 open places this has meant diversity in its true sense. The recent opening of the Marian Centre for autistic children has also meant that children with their particular problems can experience the ethos of the school. We offer them an education in a supporting and caring environment which the whole school can also experience.
We as a school thank you for your support but would hope that you can be more involved in 2010 and hope to see you at the next Governors’ Meeting.
Carol
January 30th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
I agree fully with this article. Faith schools or a school that values Christian faith strongly in it’s teaching does give a child a balanced upbringing. It gives parents choice . ‘I firmly believe in expansion of faith schools’ you say, me too