"We welcome applications from students of all faith backgrounds ..." : Really?

[breakfastbagels]

Leafing through my local paper I came across an advert for an oversubscribed, outstanding Catholic School in Hounslow (very mixed ethnic area), which had the above statement in bold.

My first thought was: so what about people of no faith? Would you welcome applications from them too, because I know for a fact that the admissions code says you have to offer them a place in the unlikely event that you're undersubscribed by people with higher priority.

So, I took a look at the admissions criteria, just to make sure they realised that, and yes, non-religious applicants are covered by category 6: "Any other applicants".

However, non-Christians (of which there are many in the area) are in the same category, and there's no tangible sign of either group being welcomed. The blurb at the top of the policy makes it very clear that non-Catholics are unlikely to get a place, because "in recent years the school has been over subscribed with applications from Catholic families". It also paints a picture of an ethos that is "very Catholic", which isn't particularly welcoming to those that are just happy to rub along with Catholics but aren't Catholic themselves.

So, I'm left wondering why they bothered to put that line in the advert? My conclusion is that it's a marketing policy aimed at improving the image of Catholic education (which has been damaged locally, following this controversy). Perhaps it's designed to make people feel less guilty about being eligible for a place, when their neighbours aren't. They can tell themselves "Well, they're welcome to apply" ... and then forget about it.

Thoughts?

[OwlCapone]

So that they can pretend to be inclusive of all faiths.

It really needs tiny print that says "you only Catholics are actually likely to get a place". Rather like the "75% off!" Sale banners that have "up to" in tiny print at the top.

[theknackster]

To be fair, there is a significant difference between:

"We welcome applications from students of all faith backgrounds"

and

"We welcome students of all faith backgrounds"

They probably enjoy a good laugh at the former .

[Pilotti]

My daughters are at a catholic school, they are not catholic and dd2s best friend is a practicing muslim. School does teach Catholicism and there is mass once a week but they have been very welcoming of other faiths.

[soundevenfruity]

We have not far from us an outstanding oversubscribed Catholic primary school that proudly announces in all it's admission literature that in the past 15 years not a single non-Catholic was admitted to the school. I think this one sounds quite enlightened in comparison.

[OwlCapone]

My daughters are at a catholic school, they are not catholic

The only way that would happen around here is at the failing, undersubscribed school in the undesirable end of town.

[DwellsUndertheSink]

nope. My kids attend a catholic school and are not catholic. The school boasts 80% a-c grades at gcse and has beaten the "top school" in the area for the last 2 years. Its in one of the very desirable parts of the SE.

A lot of people are put off by the admission criteria, believing they are unlikely to get a place. I say if you dont ask, you dont get.

That said, ours do insist on a letter of introduction from the loacl vicar or equivalent - they like to know that the children they admit have some idea and respect for faith.

[breakfastbagels]

I went to a Catholic school myself (and I'm non-Catholic), but wouldn't get my kids into the same school now.

Dwells, you are lucky to live in an area where there's still a bit of choice - keep quiet about your location, or you'll be swamped with Mumsnetters moving in .

[MumTryingHerBest]

DwellsUndertheSink nope. My kids attend a catholic school and are not catholic. The school boasts 80% a-c grades at gcse and has beaten the "top school" in the area for the last 2 years. Its in one of the very desirable parts of the SE. Is the school under subscribed? If it is oversubscribed and the Catholic faith criteria is higher than the non faith criteria or distance criteria it suggests that there is a very low % of the local community who are Catholic which kind of negates the need for a Catholic faith school in the first instance.

A lot of people are put off by the admission criteria, believing they are unlikely to get a place. I say if you dont ask, you dont get. I suspect people are more put off by: ours do insist on a letter of introduction from the loacl vicar or equivalent how do people get such a letter? Can they just go into the nearest church and request one?

[AuntieStella]

"I'm left wondering why they bothered to put that line in the advert?"

Because even if it's currently really unlikely that non-Catholics will get an offer in the main round, when they do have such pupils they do pay attention to the wider ethos of the school and have thought about how to include (or at least not exclude IYSWIM).

That is in contrast to phrases like 'traditional Catholic values' or any reference to Catholicism as the important spiritual aspect to the school, both of which suggest less attention to needs of non-Catholics.

[breakfastbagels]

@AuntieStella: "That is in contrast to phrases like 'traditional Catholic values' or any reference to Catholicism as the important spiritual aspect to the school, both of which suggest less attention to needs of non-Catholics."

I agree that's what the advert implies, but the first two paras of the admissions policy are in complete contrast ....

"As a Catholic school, we aim to provide a Catholic education for all our pupils. At a Catholic school, Catholic doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the school’s activity. It is essential that the Catholic character of the school’s education is fully supported by all families in the school. All applicants are therefore expected to give their full, unreserved and positive support for the aims and ethos of the school.

The Governing Body will always accord the highest priority to Catholic applicants. In recent years the school has been over subscribed with applications from Catholic families."

[FlyingFortress]

I would check what their 6th form admission are like. Because around here you have to be more Catholic than the Pope to get in at 11, but at 16 it is very much about what GCSE grades you'll be bringing to the party.

[breakfastbagels]

You might be right FF. Looking at the advert again, perhaps it is aimed mainly at sixth form admissions, because they have a sixth form open evening coming up.