C of E free school plan for Hove (From The Argus)
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C of E free school plan for Hove
3:10pm Friday 6th January 2012 in News By Rebecca Evans
A new Christian free secondary could be built to plug a predicted shortfall in school places.
Half of places for the proposed King’s School will be given to students from Christian primary schools, with the rest filled by children of either no faith or of other religions.
The parents behind the school say they are looking at sites in Hove but are keeping details under wraps until they have heard the result of their application to the Department for Education.
Sue Worthing, one of the parents behind the proposal, said there was a shortage of Christian secondary places in Brighton and Hove.
The trained solicitor from Hove said: “We wanted to see a C of E senior school. It is ridiculous that in a town of our size there is only one Christian school which is Cardinal Newman.
“Site wise we are restricted in the city because obviously you could not produce something as large as Newman or even the others because within our geographical area there are simply not the sites.”
The school is planned to cater for up to 750 11 to 16-year-olds.
Mrs Worthing said the group had been in contact with the Diocese of Chichester about the proposed school and is investigating possible links to an existing C of E primary school.
She said the school would be focused on celebrating Christian festivals such as Easter and Christmas.
The King’s School website said it will aim to “inspire” Christian values through the teaching of high moral standards, a discussion-based RE curriculum, collective worship and a full-time chaplaincy.
A quiet space for personal reflection would also be provided.
A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman confirmed that the authority had had “preliminary contact” with the group behind the King’s School proposal.
What do you think? Does Brighton and Hove need a C of E secondary school? Write to the letters editor or email letters@theargus.co.uk.
Comments(30)
Fercri Sakes
says...
3:33pm Fri 6 Jan 12
JohnnyDale
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3:58pm Fri 6 Jan 12
Correction Ms Worthing. There may or may not be a shortage of secondary places, but there is no more a shortage of "Christain secondary places" that there is "Liberal Democrat secondary places", "Brighton & Hove Albion secondary places", "Sagitarius secondary places" or "Purple is my favourite colour secondary places".
Schools should be for education, not for indoctrination into your favourite cult, or for making sure your kids only know the kids of other parents who think like you.
ghost bus driver
says...
4:01pm Fri 6 Jan 12
They've answered their own question here. Short of taking over another school there isn't the space to build another one, particularly a secondary. Besides, the best way to promote Atheism is to build a christian school as the kids will eventually see what a load of old nonsense it is.
voiceofthescoombe
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4:17pm Fri 6 Jan 12
Should the C of E get Money from the government to increase its cult members?
By offering a chance to get into a new school.
Fight Back
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4:35pm Fri 6 Jan 12
Hard times
says...
4:44pm Fri 6 Jan 12
pwlr1966
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4:56pm Fri 6 Jan 12
SinisterSpider
says...
6:33pm Fri 6 Jan 12
JohnnyDale wrote:Well said, schools should be for education and not for brainwashing about religious beliefs. Shame on those who bring up their children in that way. They should be allowed to make up their own minds when they got older and not have their parents views forced upon them.
"Sue Worthing, one of the parents behind the proposal, said there was a shortage of Christian secondary places in Brighton and Hove. "
Correction Ms Worthing. There may or may not be a shortage of secondary places, but there is no more a shortage of "Christain secondary places" that there is "Liberal Democrat secondary places", "Brighton & Hove Albion secondary places", "Sagitarius secondary places" or "Purple is my favourite colour secondary places".
Schools should be for education, not for indoctrination into your favourite cult, or for making sure your kids only know the kids of other parents who think like you.
chilliman
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8:33pm Fri 6 Jan 12
This country needs more highly educated and motivated people regardless of their religious beliefs.
In my childhood all schools had a christian-based start to the school day with hymns and prayers. I'm not saying this was ideal but it seemed to give the children a better framework to their upbringing rather than just letting them do their own thing from infancy. Lessons were very structured as well which at least seemed to give most children a good grounding in the 3 Rs.
In my teens I belonged to a C of E youth club because that was all there was. Eventually I decided it was not for me but I still know devout people of many faiths including RC, CofE, Islam, Sikh, Hindu, Rasta as well as those who are atheist or agnostic. It isn't their religion but the way of life that religion engenders that counts.
In my opinion main problems are extremism, lack of tolerance and not taking responsibility for ones own actions regardless of what belief system someone has.
There could be worse things than the old saying of "Do Unto Others As You Would Be Done By".
Bladesboy Returns
says...
8:54pm Fri 6 Jan 12
They could build and run the school from the main field in Preston Park, using tents to keep the costs down and then teach the kids brainwashing rubbish.
Are you in?
Thought not!
alyn, southwick
says...
9:01pm Fri 6 Jan 12
And why should these parents have freedom of choice anyway; only those who want to knock it with their own biased ideals have that right, and exercise it daily here on the Argus site. Where they advocate freedom of speech and choice for all except those with an opposite view.
By the way what proportion have voted in favour of it in the Argus poll?
Hovite
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9:16pm Fri 6 Jan 12
Unfortunately a percentage of parents are guilty of pretending to have faith just to get their kids into schools with higher results.
Minion
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3:25am Sat 7 Jan 12
If I don't have an opinion on the matter but I'm curious about the opinions of others, I vote randomly just to see the results. If everybody without an opinion did that it would compromise the accuracy of the results.
roseyposey
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12:49pm Sat 7 Jan 12
Romans 3:24
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1:01pm Sat 7 Jan 12
ibidi03
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3:57pm Sat 7 Jan 12
JohnnyDale wrote:If there are more parents and children who wish for a Christian Secondary school place than there are places available, then there is a shortage of Christian secondary school places.
"Sue Worthing, one of the parents behind the proposal, said there was a shortage of Christian secondary places in Brighton and Hove. "
Correction Ms Worthing. There may or may not be a shortage of secondary places, but there is no more a shortage of "Christain secondary places" that there is "Liberal Democrat secondary places", "Brighton & Hove Albion secondary places", "Sagitarius secondary places" or "Purple is my favourite colour secondary places".
Schools should be for education, not for indoctrination into your favourite cult, or for making sure your kids only know the kids of other parents who think like you.
Children do not grow up in a vacuum - whatever our world view is, this will have an impact on the way that they think and process information. This is true whether we bring them up in a context of religious faith, or no faith. The responsibility of a parent is to equip the child with the tools they need to evaluate the world views that they come across and to draw their own conclusions. This can be done within a context which teaches respect and the value of others, and challenges individuals to think for themselves, including a context within a Christian ethos. There is a difference between stating your beliefs and striving to live up to them, and indoctrinating people!
Bladesboy Returns
says...
7:22am Sun 8 Jan 12
Hovite wrote:What a ridiculous comment, you want to stop taking whatever it is that's affecting your ability to reason and communicate.
If parents have a faith and they wish for their children to go to a faith school then fair enough.
Unfortunately a percentage of parents are guilty of pretending to have faith just to get their kids into schools with higher results.
What are you actually trying to say here?
Laugh out loud
moronslayer
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4:28pm Sun 8 Jan 12
alyn, southwick
says...
5:21pm Sun 8 Jan 12
moronslayer wrote:Can I argue for the existence of Moonslayer - I've never met him/her or spoken to them but I think they must exist. Unless Moonslayer wants to prove they don't and that he/she is just a figment of my imagination.
We need more faith schools - the nutcases they churn out are hilarious. If we don't have enough christain nutcases then the muslim nutcases may become disallusioned and everyone might end up focusing on problems that are real instead of arguing whose imaginary friend is more powerful.
moronslayer
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6:42pm Sun 8 Jan 12
My answer will be straightforward and won't involve smiting anyone. Unlike the almighty I don't have to move in mysterious ways (unless I'm being forced to try and dance at a party).
As knowledge and understanding have increased, religion has needed to use increasingly convoluted explanations and excuses. Like communism, it recently collapsed under the weight of it's internal inconsistencies - which don't get a mention at lesson time though, I wonder why?
Did god offer his servants on earth repeated absolution whilst kiddie-fiddling every week? Are tsunamis a judgement upon godless heathens? Why do still-born infidel babies go to hell? Hope so many of these questions are on the curriculum.
Children shouldn't join cults - every organised religion is drenched in the blood of innocent people. It's perfectly possible to have a strict moral code without chanting contradictory 1000 year old public order notices.
andrewedmondson
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3:47pm Mon 9 Jan 12
The question that no one seems to be able to answer is “What has belief in the supernatural got to do with a good education?” One of the main purposes of education is to teach children how to think and reason properly. Religious belief is blind faith, belief without evidence, and should certainly not be encouraged in school.
Here in West Sussex we are faced with two new religious free schools, whilst attempts to start a non-religious free school in Chichester have failed for several years.
I'm not a support of academies or free schools and think they will be the downfall of education here.
Chris Miles, primary school teacher, will be speaking on behalf of the NUT at a meeting of Chichester Humanists on Monday 23rd January at the Chichester Inn. Her talk is “Faith in school?” and is open to the public to put their points of view. Entry is £3 for non-members, £2 for members, with the usual concessions.
I shall be attending a public consultation about the proposed new Oasis Christian school at the large council chamber, Beeson House, 26 Lintot Square, Southwater on January 19th from 7pm to 8pm. But whatever is said at this meeting will make absolutely no difference.
www.WestSussexHumani
sts.org.uk
alyn, southwick
says...
6:00pm Mon 9 Jan 12
andrewedmondson wrote:Freedom is for all;
It is difficult to understand why anyone would want to open a new religious school in the UK, apart from to promote a particular religion. Whatever the founders of these schools might say, this is their intention.
The question that no one seems to be able to answer is “What has belief in the supernatural got to do with a good education?” One of the main purposes of education is to teach children how to think and reason properly. Religious belief is blind faith, belief without evidence, and should certainly not be encouraged in school.
Here in West Sussex we are faced with two new religious free schools, whilst attempts to start a non-religious free school in Chichester have failed for several years.
I'm not a support of academies or free schools and think they will be the downfall of education here.
Chris Miles, primary school teacher, will be speaking on behalf of the NUT at a meeting of Chichester Humanists on Monday 23rd January at the Chichester Inn. Her talk is “Faith in school?” and is open to the public to put their points of view. Entry is £3 for non-members, £2 for members, with the usual concessions.
I shall be attending a public consultation about the proposed new Oasis Christian school at the large council chamber, Beeson House, 26 Lintot Square, Southwater on January 19th from 7pm to 8pm. But whatever is said at this meeting will make absolutely no difference.
www.WestSussexHumani
sts.org.uk
Freedom to not believe, doubt or even believe if they so choose (and that includes opening faith schools).
Many believers have PERSONAL experiences that make it difficult for them to understand why others don't believe.
No supporter of religious schools commenting on this story have knocked or verbally "smote" those who are against, but everyone against have to some extent dismissed the views of those who do support them.
majestic
says...
1:03pm Tue 24 Jan 12
ples etc should fund them, not Joe Public whose kids are excluded from going). I voted 'yes' only because they say half the places will go to non-CofE children and because the school is planned to take only 750 children. Brighton (and the UK) clearly has a shortage of school places, and the schools we do have fall into 2 broad camps: HUGE state secondaries or highly academic and expensive private schools. If you have a child who suffers from anxiety and lack of self confidence (eg, adopted children I know), or is simply quiet and inclined to 'get lost' in crowds (as I was when I was flung into a huge london comprehensive - where I was bullied for five years), yet is not going to pass academic entrance exams or afford private schools, where do you go? I want my kids in a state school that is small enough to be able to offer a calm, orderly environment and to attend to each individual child's needs. Where are such schools? I'm in despair, and secondary school is still three years off for my sprogs!
MrsSKelly
says...
6:16pm Wed 25 Jan 12
As for brain washing whether you are sharing ideas on Jesus or the non existence of God young people have their own minds.
My parents are both Christians but I was never brain washing I was educated (my Dad is both a Geologist and a Vicar.) It wasn't until I could think for myself that I made a decision either way. If you are so bothered about the welfare of these young minds give them some credit and let them THINK!
And God forbid a school with high moral values. What will we be teaching these young people next? Self respect and people skills?!
natty1905
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4:05pm Mon 30 Jan 12
In terms of belief in God being blind faith I would say that the belief that physical matter was self generating out of nothing in the first instance is the blindest faith of the lot and tends to be the least 'tolerant', the very thing it accuses anyone of being who would prefer not to believe it.
natty1905
says...
4:16pm Mon 30 Jan 12
In terms of the old chestnut 'religion causes war', (which I hear about twice a week in Brighton for the last 25 years, yawn), so does sport, family, love, friendship and money. Should we ban all of those too.
natty1905
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4:29pm Mon 30 Jan 12
nigeyb
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1:27pm Fri 3 Feb 12
alyn, southwick
says...
7:58pm Fri 3 Feb 12
nigeyb wrote:If you're entitled to your opinion so are tax paying church goers - none of whom on this subject have slagged off those opposing them. As I've said before only those against are slagging others off - so who are the tolerant ones. Oh by the way inclusive means including everyone not just those who hold the same opinion as you!
Why should the tax payer fund religious instruction? Why aren't all schools aiming to model a tolerant, inclusive society? Schools should be secular. If parents want their children to be brain-washed into believing the unverifiable, then they should do it themselves, and not rely on the tax payer.
cancelaccount says...
3:30pm Fri 6 Jan 12