Something Remarkable Happens in Catholic Schools, says Labour MP
Stephen Pound, MP for Ealing North, praised Catholic Education at a
reception in Parliament, designed to celebrate the achievements of
Catholic schools and sixth form colleges in England and Wales.
As a parent and as a parliamentarian he said that he had witnessed at first hand that something remarkable happens in Catholic schools, not only in terms of value added, but also the work that is done outside the school within the community.
Far from being divisive, he said that Catholic Education couldn’t be more inclusive, exemplifying a Catholic school from within his own constituency, which draws in pupils from around the globe, including, for example, Iraq, Poland, Syria, as well as England and Ireland.
To a packed audience of Catholic parliamentarians – both peers and MPs, Bishops’, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools, Principals of sixth form colleges, head teachers of Catholic schools, diocesan directors of education, and other colleagues supporting the work of Catholic education, the Chair of the Bishops’ Department for Education and Formation, The Most Reverend Archbishop Vincent Nichols said: “Catholic and Church of England schools are popular with parents and successful in many ways, including in respect of the measurements favoured by government in assessing educational outcomes. Why this is so is more difficult to establish….From our point of view, of course, the distinctiveness and ethos of our schools, which we work hard to cultivate on the foundations of shared faith in Christ and in the Church, is not incidental to the achievement of success and excellence. Rather that ethos and distinctiveness is instrumental to that success.”
"We are delighted that the achievements of Catholic schools and colleges have been acknowledged and celebrated in this way," said Peter Bradshaw, Co-Director of the Clifton Diocese Department for Schools and Colleges, "and that I was able to represent the Diocese at the parliamentary reception".
CES Chief Executive and Director, Oona Stannard, said: “We would need to take over the whole of the Houses of Parliament if we were to include all those who had contributed to the success of Catholic Education. But it is important to always remember that the contribution of school, family and parish is vital to the continued success of our schools and 6th Form Colleges.”
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools, Maurice Smith, added: “It is a tribute to the Catholic Education Service and the leaders and teachers in those schools that the children achieve so well and that they are suitably prepared for adulthood and the world of work.”
Maggie Doherty
As a parent and as a parliamentarian he said that he had witnessed at first hand that something remarkable happens in Catholic schools, not only in terms of value added, but also the work that is done outside the school within the community.
Far from being divisive, he said that Catholic Education couldn’t be more inclusive, exemplifying a Catholic school from within his own constituency, which draws in pupils from around the globe, including, for example, Iraq, Poland, Syria, as well as England and Ireland.
To a packed audience of Catholic parliamentarians – both peers and MPs, Bishops’, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools, Principals of sixth form colleges, head teachers of Catholic schools, diocesan directors of education, and other colleagues supporting the work of Catholic education, the Chair of the Bishops’ Department for Education and Formation, The Most Reverend Archbishop Vincent Nichols said: “Catholic and Church of England schools are popular with parents and successful in many ways, including in respect of the measurements favoured by government in assessing educational outcomes. Why this is so is more difficult to establish….From our point of view, of course, the distinctiveness and ethos of our schools, which we work hard to cultivate on the foundations of shared faith in Christ and in the Church, is not incidental to the achievement of success and excellence. Rather that ethos and distinctiveness is instrumental to that success.”
"We are delighted that the achievements of Catholic schools and colleges have been acknowledged and celebrated in this way," said Peter Bradshaw, Co-Director of the Clifton Diocese Department for Schools and Colleges, "and that I was able to represent the Diocese at the parliamentary reception".
CES Chief Executive and Director, Oona Stannard, said: “We would need to take over the whole of the Houses of Parliament if we were to include all those who had contributed to the success of Catholic Education. But it is important to always remember that the contribution of school, family and parish is vital to the continued success of our schools and 6th Form Colleges.”
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools, Maurice Smith, added: “It is a tribute to the Catholic Education Service and the leaders and teachers in those schools that the children achieve so well and that they are suitably prepared for adulthood and the world of work.”
Maggie Doherty
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