Independent back to basics

Independent schools have a duty to take a moral lead according to the Chairman of the Headmasters' Conference, Roy Chapman. David Clement-Davies finds out whether headteachers of independent Catholic schools agree or not.
ROY CHAPMAN, CHAIRMAN of the Headmasters' Conference, was surprised to find himself leading a "moral crusade" after his speech to the HMC two weeks ago. He should not have been. After all, he had called on Independent schools to take a lead to fill a "gaping moral vacuum" in society. His claim that Church, family and state were failing in their responsibilities drew accusations from some headteachers that he was out of touch. Church of England leaders said angrily that he had made a cheap jibe at their expense, after he accused the Church of washing its hands of moral judgements. But his views were given weight by this week's BBC Radio One poll findings among under-35-year -olds, that two-thirds of their generation believe they are in the grip of a moral crisis. The implication by Mr Chapman that the choice of an Independent school was a moral one was something which drew panicWar fire. "Independent schools have an advantage," Mr Chapman said. "Parents have already made a choice of the sort of education they want and in many cases are still prepared to make great financial or material sacrifices to achieve it. That choice in itself involves an important moral decision." The Herald sought the views of headteachers at leading Catholic Independent schools on whether, by their nature, they are already at the cutting-edge of the moral drive.
Dr Giles Mercer Stonyhurst College
"IT WAS GOOD that the Headmasters' Conference took the moral dimension as a principal theme. "Catholic schools have that woven into education of the whole person. I think that Mr Chapman was trying to emphasise the need to hold onto the timeless standards of truth and integrity. He was not in my view trying to make a point about the Independent sector against other sectors. Every so often this aspect of education should be brought to the fore. "
Sr Jean Sinclair
St Leonard's—Mayfield School, Sussex
"I'm NOT SURE one gains an enormous amount in the field of morality by attacking Government or family. I'd prefer to assert positive values rather than to attack.
"It's perfectly proper to have a conference speech that relates to religious values but I don't honestly think there is a gaping moral vacuum, nor do I think the Independent sector has a monopoly on morality.
"But I would say that in Catholic sector education there is a great deal of common ground between the Independent and the maintained sector."
Dr Phil Dineen Woldingham Girls' School, Surrey
"I FEEL VERY STRONGLY about this. Anyone coming to this school will take it as read that the academics are good but it is after that that real education begins. "I'm sufficiently old-fashioned to think that we must give our girls the tools to educate their consciences and I think the religious context is terribly important.
"Sadly, many Headteachers nowadays feel they have no responsibility beyond a standard education. But Catholic schools today must be ecumenical. We are a Catholic foundation educating young people for the 21st century. I think it does no harm that from time to time people stand up and talk about moral issues. It is very important if it raises awareness in staff rooms."
Fr Christopher Jamison Worth School Crawley, Sussex
"ROY CHAPMAN TOLD it to head teachers the way they know it is. The key to his speech was not an attack on one element but that it seems to be pass the parcel time: everybody is blaming everybody else. Neither parents, teachers, church nor society are living by moral standards..
"Catholic Schools are very much at the heart of this debate. As to the question whether Catholic schools have higher moral standards, I think we represent better values to our pupils. I don't want to talk from the moral high ground, but I am a priest and a monk and it's therefore clear to everyone what moral position I'm coming from. There does need to be a better dialogue and it is important that it is a fruitful one."
Sr Francis,
St Mary's, Ascot
"THIS ISSUE is difficult because it's politically sensitive. As educationalists we must all be aware of the decline in moral standards.
"I would support any educationalist whether Independent or otherwise who took seriously the responsibility to uphold and promote moral standards among today's young. They're going out into a world where values such as truth and honesty and trust are seldom taken seriously. I don't believe in a humanism divorced from profounder values. A religious education is crucial, and I believe Catholic schools are exceptional in both the Independent and maintained sectors."
Dermot Gogarty StJohn's Beaumont, Berkshire
"THE TROUBLE WITH the word 'morality' today is that people who use it tend to have very right-wing views.
"If Mr Chapman is specifically equating morality with the Independent sector, then that is rubbish. I'm not sure how important his "lead" can be when only six per cent of schools are Independent. There is, however, a high standard in Catholic schools.
"There's a problem with a lot of non-Catholic schools when they do take a moral high ground because they don't know where that ground begins and ends. "In the Catholic sector we can take the moral ground because it is underpinned by the teachings of the Catholic Church.
"When Catholic schools speak we can speak with one voice. I'm afraid Roy Chapman can only speak with his voice."