Religious Community Rallies to Preserve Church School Status in Pembrokeshire
In a surprising turn of events, the Roman Catholic Church in Wales has extended its support to a campaign aimed at preserving the Anglican affiliation of Ysgol Cilgerran, a school in Wales. This move comes after Pembrokeshire County Council decided to strip the school of its Voluntary Controlled (VC) status, a decision met with widespread disapproval from the local community.
The controversy began on May 14 when the council’s vote to remove the religious designation from Ysgol Cilgerran caught residents off guard, especially since a substantial 97 percent of consultation responses opposed the change.
The Church in Wales has spoken out against the council’s decision, labeling it as “entirely unnecessary” and expressing intentions to pursue legal action if the plan proceeds. The church argues that the council’s actions may involve unqualified legal assertions, misrepresentations to the public, and potential discrimination against faith-based education.
Angela Keller, Wales Adviser to the Catholic Education Service, has expressed her support for the Church in Wales. In a letter to Pembrokeshire Council, Keller stated that the proposal “has not demonstrated that the statutory tests set out in the School Organisation Code have been met.” She emphasized the school’s strong performance and stable leadership, questioning the educational benefits of removing its religious designation.
Keller further criticized the council for potentially neglecting its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010, pointing out that the proposal offers no clear educational or financial advantages despite the costs and disruptions associated with school reorganization.
With few Church in Wales schools in the area, the nearest alternative being 20 miles away, removing Ysgol Cilgerran’s church status would, according to Keller, undermine parental choice. She agreed with the Church in Wales, stating that the council’s actions constitute “indirect discrimination” and could place families of a specific faith at a “severe disadvantage,” potentially breaching the Equality Act.
A spokesperson for the Church in Wales expressed gratitude for Keller’s intervention, stating, “We welcome this latest powerful expression of support for the campaign to save Ysgol Cilgerran’s church status. The threat to Cilgerran is a threat to faith schools, to diversity, to the community, and to the children and families who have been impacted by Pembrokeshire Council’s entirely unnecessary actions.”
Addressing the concerns raised by both religious communities, Pembrokeshire Council issued a statement noting that “any objections during the notice period will be collated over the summer and the report is anticipated to return to council in the autumn. The objections will be fully considered and outlined in the objection report. We are aware of the views of the diocese on the matter.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
