Academy at Unity College
Plans have been announced to turn Unity College into a Church of England academy school. Consultation is underway on these proposals, and they can be viewed at www.pcaaun.org . A campaign opposing the plan has been established, and their website is http://www.saveunitycollege.org.
There is a public meeting on the proposal on 7th January 6pm-7.30pm at the school.
I have written to the County Council to object. The proposal is that 50% of places at the school will be reserved to children whose parents express a preference for a Church of England education. I believe this is divisive and discriminatory against those of other faiths and none. Only 600 places will remain for the whole of central area of Northampton for those who want to send their children to a local mixed sex school and who do not express a wish for a specifically Church of England based education.
Kingsley needs a good local secondary school which treats everyone fairly, regardless of their religious faith. We need a school which serves its local community, that children can access without having to be driven miles across Northampton.
You can take part in the consultation on thse plans whether you are a parent at the school or not.
2 Comments
have your say
At `Semilong Community News` we read this proposal and your objections and we are in agreement with you. We believe it is wholly unfair and discriminatory to limit access to a preferred school soley on the basis of religion. Whilst we should be pulling communities closer, this proposal will drive them apart. If we start to seperate those who can have places and who cannot simply because of beliefs, it will encourage divisions within whole communities, separating friends and neighbours at a time when divisions in communities need healing.
We realise some would argue that it is not discriminatory as places are allotted 50/50. However, where a policy exists that treats anyone favourably or less favourably that is discriminatory. If there are 60% of non christian children applying, 10% are being treated less favourably under these proposals along with 50% of christian children being treated more favourably just because of their beliefs.
The school should be concerned with building tolerant fair and united communities of tomorrow and be seen to be doing so. They cannot do that if they are seen to discriminate in ANY way. Afterall what example does that set? That it is fair that some people are seen as different and dealt with differently? No, they should be setting the example that everyone is equal and everyone has the same rights, entitlements, and chances in education irrespective of personal beliefs or those of their parents.
If this proposal is passed, it will be a sad day not only for education in this county, but for the whole country because how could we justify discrimination like this in the eyes of the world?
www.scn-northampton.com
With the proposed academies at Unity and Weston Favell, Northampton is in danger of become swamped by religiously focused education. Alongside Unity and Thomas Becket we have the Academy and now the possibility of Weston Favel being run by United Learning Trust (a Christian organisation). It is a worrying pattern reflected across the country that in a time of growing secularism we are returning to a Victorian view on education. I continue to take an anti position to the involvement of any religion in education, however if it is a choice between unity as it is now and the proposed academy then better the devil you know (if you can excuse the pun).