Schools contest bishops' amalgamation proposals

by Jonathan Petre THE WESTMINSTER diocese's plan for the reorganisation of Catholic secondary schools in West London fails to provide a proper comprehensive curriculum, and perpetuates a grammar school ethos in the minds of the general public, according to a working party representing staff of four schools facing amalgamation under the bishops' proposals.
And the governors of St Thomas More School in Chelsea this week expressed dissatisfaction with the bishops' proposals. After a meeting earlier this week, Mr Antony Bartlett, chairman of the governors, said: "We are not happy with the bishops' proposals, chiefly because no explanation was sent with it. The bishops' plan does not conform to their original one."
It is understood that Bishop David Konstant, chairman of the Education Commission, has now sent a letter to the headmaster of St Thomas More which provides a more detailed explanation of the reasons behind the bishops' proposals. Cardinal Hume is also expected to release a statement in the near future.
The working party, which is made up of 12 staff members from Cardinal Manning, Sion Manning, St Edmund's and St Thomas More, met this week and issued a statement rejecting the reorganisation plan.
The statement says: "This plan does not provide a proper curriculum. It perpetuates a grammar school ethos in the minds of the general public. It fails to provide enough places for girls in Division One (of Inner London Education Authority) and so endangers the concept of equal opportunities.
"The original plan of Mr Newsam (formally of the ILEA) was rejected at the outset by the Schools Commission but have now been accepted by the bishops three years later without explanation or consultation!,