WITH a reputation as one of the country’s best-performing grammar schools, Liverpool’s historic Blue Coat has long been regarded as an asset to the city.
Last week, the Daily Post revealed Education Minister Alan Johnson was “minded to approve” a request to have it reclassified as a CofE school.
The Anglican Diocese’s case, personally approved by the Bishops of Liverpool and Warrington, is based on a 300-year-old document which stated pupils would receive “religious instruction”.
The church insists it would not attempt to make any changes to the school’s religious education programme, and has no intention of altering the school’s 100% selection by entrance exam.
But the move is being seen as a hostile takeover bid.
Headteacher Sandy Tittershill described the plan as tantamount to “stealing” the school, which he says the church has never been involved in, and has “no right” to run it.
He fears the re-designation will have a “detrimental” effect on quality of education, and dilute the strong co-educational, multi-faith character of the school.
The city’s education leader, Cllr Paul Clein, said the city would also make representations opposing the move, before the Government deadline on Feb 9.
He raised concerns that the move could prove “discriminatory” to non-Anglican pupils, and said the city already had “more than enough” faith schools.
So, with denominational schools in England, both Anglican and RC, continuing to grow, the Daily Post asks: Does Liverpool need more church schools?
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