Memorandum by Emmaus Church of England
and Catholic Primary School (SOC 80)
BACKGROUND
Emmaus Primary School is situated in Croxteth
Park on the north eastern edge of the city of Liverpool and comes
under Liverpool LEA. Croxteth Park is estimated to be one of the
biggest private housing estates in Western Europe. This estate
is built on land which once formed part of the estate of the Earls
of Sefton at Croxteth Hall. Building began over twenty years ago.
The estate is served by the Roman Catholic parish of Our Lady
Queen of Martyr's, built in 1968, and the Anglican parish of St.
Cuthbert's built in 1988.
Despite there being two school sites allocated
within the estate, the amount of theoretical surplus places in
surrounding schools prohibited any proposal for a school for the
park. However, there was political support for the church to try
its hand. Discussions ensued with the Archdiocese and Diocese,
leading to the idea of a joint school.
A meeting in the Curial Offices in February
1992 galvanised the idea into a one form entry school. This was
eventually seen as being inadequate and was later expanded into
a two form entry school at a meeting at the Archbishops' house
in June 1994.
The strong mutual respect and friendship between
Bishop David Sheppard, now Lord Sheppard, and Archbishop Derek
Worlock, was of great significance in bringing a determination
and support to this initiative. David Sheppard referred to this
as a dream come true.
DfEE approval finally came through in February
1995 and a Temporary Governing Body was established in November
1995, comprising of four foundation governors from each denomination
and plenty of help and goodwill from The Education Directorate,
the Anglican Diocese and Catholic Archdiocese.
The Instrument of Government came into being
in December 1997 and so the first formal meeting of the Governing
Body took place in February 1998, with the parents and teacher
governors in attendance.
The Headteacher Mr Maguire was appointed in
January 1997 and began work at the Education Offices.
The school opened in September 1997, with the
official opening on Friday 8 May 1998. The Archbishop of Liverpool,
Patrick Kelly and the Bishop of Warrington, John Packer, took
part in the service, together with Revd Trevor Latham, Chair of
Governors, Father Sean O'Connor, Vice Chair of Governors and the
Governors and children of Emmaus.
This school has become a huge success both in
academic terms and its wider role as a force of good in the local
community. Children consistently achieve higher than local and
national levels at both key stage one and two at the end of key
stage testing. The school has been successful in bidding for funds
to expand and we are now completing a £750,000 extension
to the hall and classrooms. We are a two form entry school of
494 children including Nursery.
Since opening the school has achieved the Basic
Skills Quality Mark, School Achievement Award, the Healthy Schools
Award and is awaiting the outcome of an application for the Artsmark.
We have established an outstanding school choir and a thirty four
piece orchestra of strings, woodwind and brass, quite rare at
primary level but significant in our general aims. We have also
been designated a Centre of Excellent for modern foreign languages
with all children receiving three French lessons per week. I was
recently asked to speak at QCA as part of the work on the distinctive
curriculum.
These particular features are important to mention
as they have helped to create a school which carries an admirable
image and enhances our reputation which in turn supports work
of the school.
WHY HAS THIS INITIATIVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNT?
GENUINE NEED
To begin with there was an absolute need for
a school on this estate. Children, when we opened, were travelling
to 64 different Primary Schools across the city. Our task was
to bring these together as a cohesive unit. The community was
therefore an extremely grateful that "their" school
had finally arrived. It was always the intentions of both diocesese
and the Governors to create a school which was the focal point
of the community, the fact that we were a joint church school
made this challenge that bit more inspirational.
LEADERSHIP
A belief in this initiative and total commitment
by the Head, governors and particularly the clergy is a crucial
factor.
The school is made up of 50% Church of England
and 50% Catholic children. The admission policy allows for this.
The Governing body is balanced in a similar way. What remains
absolutely crucial to our success is the commitment and dedication
of the Governors to the vision. The key thoughts in all of our
thinking and decision making have been sensitivity to others,
listening to and learning from others and fairness at all times.
QUALITY OF
THE ENVIRONMENT
The building in which we work is inspirational
in its design and appearance. The Governors refused the normal
Archdiocesan architects and opted for the proposals submitted
by another firm. We cannot expect the best of staff and children
if we do not give them the best conditions in which to work. I
have long believed that children perform best of all when their
surroundings are inspirational and we provide the best for them.
This has been a key factor. Parents are proud of their school
and its appearance. We have improved the grounds by tree planting,
flower beds, rockery and vegetable gardens all of which are worked
on by parents, staff and children creating a real sense of pride.
The school has remained, until a recent spate of break-ins, a
graffiti and damage free building.
POSITIVE PUBLICITY
The sense of pride and desire to be a part of
the school community is strengthened by the public acknowledgement
through news and general media coverage. At first we were inundated
by press and television coverage to focus on the joint church
aspect of the school. Visitors from many areas including Northern
Ireland arrived to see how we worked. Since then our success in
whatever area has been celebrated.
We constantly strive to maintain high standards
of work and behaviour.
If the desire to place one's child in a joint
church school was not paramount in parents minds it soon became
apparent to them that the success of the school comes not just
through academic work but from the ethos and philosophy of their
school. People soon learn the value of a welcoming and caring
environment in which their children work.
Because of our unique nature we remain more
vigilant about attitudes to each other in our daily lives.
STAFFING
As a new school I was able to appoint an entirely
new staff. We sought out staff with a commitment to this initiative
and staff who would share the vision which was Emmaus. We have
a staff who are broadly balanced in denominational background.
We have a mixture of experience and newly qualified staff, all
of whom are committed, not just to the vision of this joint church
school, but who are dedicated to giving their best and seeking
the very best from their children.
PARENTAL SUPPORT
The sense of pride, ownership and the desire
to help develop their children's school has brought us strong
parental support and involvement. This is true not just of the
Parents Association which helps raise funds for school, but the
regular and committed team of volunteers who work with our children.
CONCLUSION
The task of creating a community which is free
of prejudices, is not immediately attainable, it is a long process.
We will see the fruits of the work in our school as our children
grow and leave and create their own families—we should have
a secondary school to continue our work.
Bigots are not born they are created by their
families and the community in which they live. Young children
from the age of three who come to Emmaus work in an environment,
which is happy, caring, free from prejudice and conducive to the
development of friendships. These friendships override any prejudices
which may have existed in earlier generations and move our young
people to a brighter future.
The leaders of our school are not here to promote
or defend their own faith traditions, they are here to listen
to and learn from those of others. We recognise difference but
seek similarities, being sensitive to the needs of others is a
part of any faith and is fundamental to our thinking.
Emmaus was a wise choice as a name for the school.
It reminds us of the journey made by Christ and those disciples
who did not recognise him. It also reminds us that we are on a
journey as a school in our community. We believe that Emmaus is
a journey that can be recognised as a force for good in the community
and one which could be shared by others.
F Maguire
Headteacher
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