| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:A response to Andy Jones | |
| Posted by: | Andy Jones | |
| Date/Time: | 25/08/09 09:40:00 |
| Thank you for the responses. I think the point about most people contributing to this thread not wanting to send their children to AHS is factually correct. I know a few participating personally and am aware that some others educate their children privately. The point I was trying to get across was that for many local parents AHS is the last choice or no choice at all. I am not defending that position. I also know many people and a few teachers at the school and am aware that many common conceptions about it are false. Twyford School was effectively created by a group of Anglican parents on land bought from the Council paid for by the CofE. As an agnostic it seems to me entirely reasonable that their entry criterea requites an element of religious observance. I would probably have sent my children there had we been able to get them in but I don't resent the school for the fact that this is not possible. The quality of education they deliver and the obvious benefit this provides to the broader community should be seen as an unalloyed positive. As for Lady Margaret and Oratory being 'dictatorial' with parents - this is surely a good thing and one possible explanation for their success. I stand corrected on Phoenix School but my underlying point remains the same. Sir William Atkinson, on taking the appointment, made it a condition that he would have complete autonomy. Given the dreadful state that the school was in the LEA had no choice but to accept his terms and he gained control of admissions and was able to weed out the most disruptive elements. Some of these pupils may well have ended up at AHS. The problem with AHS is that it is not so bad a school that the LEA would be willing to hand such control to the Head Teacher. |