Memorandum by Ms Kath Richmond (SOC 70)
Dear Mr. Bennett,
I am writing to you in your capacity as leader
of the O.D.P.M Committee. I believe that you are visiting our
town to consider the progress made towards integration since the
riots took place.
You may recall that the Ritchie report given
in the aftermath of those events pointed to the lack of integration
taking place within the boroughs schools, particularly within
the town's voluntary aided sector.
One school however, St. Augustine of Canterbury
Roman Catholic High School, was commended for its admissions policy
and its ethos, which it was felt contributed greatly to race relations
within the town.
The school is located within the Werneth/Coppice
area of the town.
Since the Ritchie report, this school has continued
to light the way and has been recognised both by Ofsted and by
many bodies within the area for its ongoing commitment to race
relations in the secondary sector.
It was therefore with dismay that news was released
last week that informed staff that the school might be earmarked
for closure. This proposal is due to Oldham Education Department's
plans for reorganisation of the town's secondary sector.
If this proposed closure takes place, it will
indeed be a retrograde step for the town as a whole and for the
Werneth/Coppice area that benefits enormously from the presence
of this racially mixed secondary school.
May I respectfully suggest that your group look
at the evidence surrounding this school's achievement in this
area during the last few years?
A great deal of positive work has already been
done and the school stands out as beacon for tolerance and understanding
within one of the few racially diverse parts of our town.
It is time to ask those involved in the decision
making process in Oldham town if they can afford to lose one of
the few institutions where pupils of different faiths, cultures
and backgrounds are already working together.
Kath Richmond
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