Coloma school criticised for 'unfair' baptism admissions policy
A TOP Catholic school has been criticised for its admissions policy, which gives priority to how soon after birth applicants are baptised.
Coloma Convent Girls' School, in Shirley, was rapped by the Schools Adjudicator following complaints about its oversubscription criteria, levelled by a parent and the Archdiocese of Southwark.
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Coloma Convent Girl's School's head teacher Maureen Martin
The school awards maximum points to potential students baptised within six months of birth, with two points given to any child after 18 months.
The parent said the policy was "unfair" and broke the School Admissions Code. Coloma's admissions policy was also described as "unclear and discriminatory" by the diocese, which criticised the decision to award points for involvement in "church activities".
Rated "outstanding" following its last Ofsted inspection in October 2009, the school, in Upper Shirley Road, is one of Croydon's most respected and oversubscribed schools.
When its September 2012 admissions policy came up for review the only two objectors were the parent and the diocese.
The diocese said families who could not provide evidence were being discouraged from applying to the school, adding that the policy was particularly unfair to single parents.
The parent said Coloma was wrong to use Canon Law, which states families "are obliged to take care that infants are baptised in the first few weeks", and that early baptism only reflects commitment to Catholicism at the time, not 11 years on.
Schools Adjudicator Dr Bryan Slater cited a previous adjudication which, the school said, had shown the priority given to the date of baptism did not contravene the School Admissions Code, though at the time the diocese had made it clear that it did not support the measure.
Dr Slater said in his report that the school's rationale behind awarding points for early baptism and involvement in parish life is that the alternative, distance from the school, would lead admissions to be "dominated" by those able to afford to live nearby, contradicting Coloma's inclusive ethos.
Dr Slater upheld the complaints, with the report stating the social mix of the school was already unrepresentative of the area it was in
He said: "I am unconvinced the school is able to justify its reasons for departing from diocesan guidance in employing the oversubscription criteria. I agree with both objectors that there is potential for unfairness."
Dr Slater said he had given "very careful consideration" as to whether to change the school's admission arrangements.
He added: "I am mindful that parents have only until the end of October to make their expressions of preference, and that it would be unreasonable at this juncture to ask them to do so on an altered basis.
"Accordingly, but with some reluctance, I think it is now too late to amend the arrangements for 2012-13."
Coloma refused to comment.
62 Comments
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by bigdonkey
Friday, November 25 2011, 11:07AM
“Even I entered Coloma,
Well it was a girl in the sixth form there anyway, does that count?”
by ExcaliburVIII
Monday, November 21 2011, 4:11PM
“I don't question Dollydreamer's dissertation but he/she takes a simplistic view and appears to have missed my point.
Much of the world's woes derive from errors and omissions of decision makers.
These are men and women who, in a democracy, depend upon election for their power. However the electorate is not intellectually equipped for the purpose. Voters are driven by self interest. Thus policies can be and are flawed.
Current worldwide unrest is a manifestation of this phenomenon in democracies and dictatorships alike.
I repeat "Academic merit is a rational basis for entrance to Coloma or any other school. Baptism is irrelevant.”
by Dollydreamer
Monday, November 21 2011, 2:21PM
“Descrimination is in fact illegal in this country. If you look up what constitutes illegal descrimination then you will find it will say:
In order to consider an act illegal discrimination it must be some act that is violating your rights based on your religion, race, color, creed, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation or family status.
Some of the illegal discrimination can take place at public accommodations, public services, in employment, in housing or rental properties, in education and some other places. When race, creed, color, sex, disability, age or any of the above reasons specified is the cause of a facility or service being denied, your rights are being violated and that's an example of illegal discrimination.
I took the above from a Human and Civil Rights website”
by ExcaliburVIII
Monday, November 21 2011, 1:54PM
“Dollydreamer wrote: "We as a society have to abide by certain descrimination policies on the grounds of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation and yes religion". Discrimination per se is not wrong; it's something we all practice every day. The problem is that those who determine what is PC and what is not are politicans looking over their shoulders the whole time. As Christopher Columbus showed many years ago, the majority can be wrong.”
by Dollydreamer
Monday, November 21 2011, 12:33PM
“;) xxx”
by tbabygib
Saturday, November 19 2011, 11:23PM
“"DOLLY" Me love, you were right all along, it's on the bbc saying the school can't do this. Good On You Dolly'....:) Proud of you.”
by Misterkipling
Friday, November 18 2011, 3:45PM
“I take it all back, the Brazilian Jesus that did my decking is not the master carpenter his name would suggest, some of it is loose.
When he comes back for the rest of the money I will remember to dress up as a UK Immigration Officer and see if he fancies dropping his charges”
by CuppaTeaPlz
Thursday, November 17 2011, 3:53PM
“Agreed, and good to know that things will not be taken personally.”
by nicecityboy
Thursday, November 17 2011, 2:13PM
“The3rd
Thanks, I enjoy some healthy debate and apologise if I have offended or upset anybody - that may just be my writing style being too blunt sometimes.
Nice to find a site where there are some good topics to debate and close to our hearts as they centre around our local community.”
by The3rd
Thursday, November 17 2011, 1:51PM
“nicecityboy - what a breath of fresh air you are to this site! Whilst I may not agree 100% with everything you say, it is great to have some debate on here at last. I think everyone will admit that if we all had the same opinions, this site would get very boring!
Plus I've always been known as the grumpy old man on this site. Nice to see someone challanging for my crown!”