The Roman Catholic Church has defended its bid for a primary school covering half of Cambridge.The Roman Catholic Diocese of East Anglia wants to run the new primary, to be built on the former Netherhall School site in Gunhild Way.
It already runs the oversubscribed St Alban’s and St Laurence’s schools in the city, and the bid document says it “will serve in the first instance the Catholic community of south Cambridge”.
A rival bid has been submitted by the Queen Edith Community Federation group, led by Queen Edith’s Primary School – in whose catchment area the new school will be.
The federation bid would give priority to children living in the Morley Memorial, Queen Edith’s and Ridgefield catchment areas.
The diocese’s bid favours baptised Catholics living in the catchment areas of 13 schools in the south of the city.
Cllr Amanda Taylor, city councillor for Queen Edith’s, warned the Catholic bid would not address need in the immediate vicinity of the school, and could generate extra traffic.
She said: “If they are successful, this will mean very few places left over for children living near the school, so it won’t address the shortage of places in this area.
“The Queen Edith’s Federation bid in contrast proposes three catchment areas, compared to 13.”
Cllr Geoff Heathcock, county councillor for Queen Edith’s, has backed the “home team” from Queen Edith’s.
He said: “Queen Edith’s has got the proven experience of running the school, and has got the experience of working successfully in the community in what is a very multi-cultural catchment area.”
But Paul Rossi, deputy director of schools services for the Catholic diocese, defended the bid.
He said: “There is a proven need for more Catholic places. At present those families who wish to send their children to a Catholic school in the area are not able to do so.
“The existing schools will continue to be there for those who do not so wish. Catholic schools are known locally and nationally as providers of excellent education with very high standards of care for all their pupils of all faiths and none. Much is made of the multi-cultural nature of the area; the desire for a Catholic school is very strong among the ethnic communities of the St Philip Howard parish.”
The consultation period ends on August 20.
A decision is expected at the end of September.
SIC: CNUK