St Richard's principal on faith school debate

St Richard's Catholic College principal Tony Campbell agreed to talk to the Observer following high-profile media coverage on the subject of faith education.

The National Union of Teachers has been debating calls for religious schools to be abolished at their annual conference this week.

A motion has called on the union's executive to draw up proposals for the 'integration' of faith schools.

Some critics believe they damage community cohesion and should be brought within a secular state system.

But Mr Campbell argues community involvement is at the heart of St Richard's philosophy.

He said: "On the subject of community cohesion, the history of St Richard's shows that it benefits Bexhill and the wider community.

"We have involvement in community groups, arts, culture and sport.

"We support the use of the building by different groups, children's groups and have hosted the Bexhill Achievers Awards. We have links with the Lions Club, Rotary Club, support charities and help the vulnerable within the community, we have partnerships with all the other Bexhill schools ... there is such diversity and I could go on for hours.

"St Richard's has developed into a good school through the hard work of a community of parents, governors, teachers and students. Its pupils leave and benefit the community at large when they come to take their role within it."

Mr Campbell has little time for those who suggest only children from privileged backgrounds get to attend faith schools, especially St Richard's.

"Around 20 per cent of my children have special needs and there are children from vulnerable backgrounds," said Mr Campbell. "We take students from some of the most deprived parts of Hastings and Bexhill.

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We cater for people who have been forced out of their countries' and may have difficult backgrounds for political reasons. That's all part of reaching out to people who are vulnerable."

Mr Campbell says claims Catholic schools punish the tax payer are unfair.

He said: "The criticism is that the tax payer is being unjustly asked to pay for faith schools. The Catholic community pay in excess of 20 million pounds per year to support Catholic schools - even though 30 per cent of the children who attend Catholic schools are not Catholic. Faith schools actually save the tax payer money."

Rather than denying children the chance to meet others from different backgrounds and faiths, Mr Campbell argues his school fulfils a valuable objective of a democracy by promoting choice and diversity.

He said: "Under European Human Rights law it states parents should be given the choice for their children to be educated in a faith environment. We should not reduce that choice for parents and teachers - it is a human right. It is a right of an individual to have their child educated in a certain way - whatever that might be.

"This freedom should be available within a democracy and should be supported by everyone in it.

"I think there is a move to criticise religion, but instead we should be proud of the fact we have this mix and celebrate it. It should be held up as an example to other countries that we have the freedom to practice all faiths and they can be shared with others and be a part of education. I think we are doing a good job of that."

Mr Campbell added faith schools, specifically the Catholic schools he knows of, may attract unfair criticism because people are not aware of how they have changed.

He said as well as the important faith aspects of a St Richard's education, students are encouraged to ask questions and learn about other faiths in their studies. "It is not like it used to be," he said. "People seem to think it is strict indoctrination and are scared about that. It is not the case anymore."

However, he recognises the traditionally good exam results of faith schools inevitably make them a popular choice with parents.

He said: "I think if you give children an environment which is safe and secure and you establish within it a set of values, which has at its heart that people look after each other, then pupils can develop naturally and reach their potential."

Mr Campbell pointed out none of the major political parties have made moves to abolish faith schools, and government documentation exists to praise the work they have been doing. He said it was a core of objective of the education system to provide 'spiritual and moral' learning - something he believes St Richard's does well.

"The history of Bexhill has been one of education and community involvement," he said. "I hope it continues."