Anglicans to join Catholics at school

Liverpool archdiocese unveils proposals for a new interdenominational school
BY CHRISTINA WHITE
THE ARCIIDIcm 1;SE of Liverpool has released proposals for a new joint Anglican and Catholic primary school in the Everton area of the city.
Under the proposals, the existing Friary Catholic primary school in Bute Street
will close, with staff and
pupils transferring to the new school.
But the announcement comes at a time when, officially, public support for faith schools is waning. A MORI poll of 2000 people conducted for the Times Educational Supplement last week found that three-quarters did not want to see additional state schools run by different religions. Four out of five felt that religious schools should not be selective and should offer places to pupils of other faiths.
This is in stark contrast to the Government which is committed to faith schools. Education Secretary, Estelle Morris, said recently it would be "wrong to deny a faithbased education to parents from minority religions".
Frank Cogley, director of education for the archdiocese, explained that falling numbers at the Friary meant it was impossible to sustain it as a separate primary school.
The proposed joint venture would meet the particular needs of the area, he said, adding: "We need a viable and vibrant school."
Mr Cogley said the demand for church schools in Liverpool was strong, and he
TES study.
disputed the findings of the
"We have a long tradition of religious schools in Liverpool and I see no slackening in demand for the provision of places at church schools. The initial reaction has been very positive. People are excited at working on this basis."
He confirmed that admissions at the school would be shared equally between Anglican and Catholic parents. Catholic admissions would be based on the existing policy with preference for baptised Catholic children.
He continued: "We have a history of regrettable, religious strife in the city. The new school represents a practical, sensible and pragmatic solution and is also highly symbolic."
The new school represents the first phase of revised proposals for Catholic primary education in the Everton and Vauxhall districts of Liverpool.
A spokeman for the archdiocese confirmed that controversial proposals put forward last year, which involved the complete closure of the Friary and would have required the children to travel some distance to the nearest
Catholic primary, were rejected by the local education authority.
Paula McGlade, deputy head at the Friary, said staff welcomed the news.
'Ile school is delighted and really pleased to be moving into a new building with better facilities, she said, adding that the staff had no regrets, "We hope the reaction from parents will be positive. The proposals are out for consultation and parents will be encouraged to put forward ideas and concerns."
Staff and governors have been closely involved in drawing up the proposals.
Mr Cogley stressed that there will be a "substantial, clear and significant link" between the school and the "newly emerging" church of St Francis Xavier which has recently been refurbished. "This is an area of regeneration," he explained. Both school governors and education officials hope the school will emulate the success of the Emmaus Primary school, another joint venture, opened by the Catholic archdiocese and Anglican diocese in Croxteth, Liverpool, in 1997.
Both leaders of the Catholic and Anglican community in Liverpool have welcomed the proposals. Archbishop Patrick Kelly of Liverpool said the school would "contribute to the well-being of many families and be a source of new vitality".
But experiences in other parts of England suggest there are difficulties in establishing joint schools. Campaigners in Oxford, who have successfully petitioned for a new Catholic secondary school, maintained that St Augustine's Upper School — a joint Catholic-Anglican venture in the city — did not provide a Catholic education for their children.
Mr Cogley sought to assuage the fears of Catholic parents that the new primary school would water down religious faith and practice.
"All the children will follow a Catholic religious education syllabus." he said.