Religious forces change school (From Winsford Guardian)

No answer to educational questions over Hartford High being a faith school

3:33pm Thursday 7th June 2012 in Letters

I NOTE that control of the local Hartford High School has been transferred from our elected Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) to the non-elected Church.

This is despite the change being opposed by Northwich and Hartford parish councils.

The school is still using the myth of ‘increased parental choice’ to justify this.

Residents of Hartford, Greenbank, Castle, Winnington and Barnton have lost the opportunity to send their child to the local, non-denominational school. They now have the ‘choice’ of three schools, two faith and one fee-paying.

Throughout the consultation, period, I have asked the school and CWAC for an educational reason for the change.

That question has never been answered, because there isn’t one.

The only conclusion to be drawn is that this change of status has been driven by political or religious forces.

I am deeply saddened that a school, which will be a major influence for thousands of local children, has been shaped in this way.

DEREK BOWDEN Hartford