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Catholic parents protest about charges
A PARENT has hit out at Cheshire County Council after being faced with a bill of almost £300 for her child to travel to St Nicholas Roman Catholic High School.
Karen Wood, from Barnton, said she and her family live within the school's catchment area and as a result she believes councillors are discriminating against the family because they are Catholics.
She said: "We will have to pay for our child to travel from Barnton to St Nicholas High School, which door to door, is closer to our home than that of my adjacent neighbours.
"Their children attend Hartford High School yet they will not have to pay a bean as they are entitled to free transport to the catchment school."
| Their decision to discriminate will cost the local area, the environment and everyone. | | Karen Wood, from Barnton, criticises Cheshire County Council |
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She added: "Of course we have a choice not to pay, we can transport our child by car to school, as many parents from all over Northwich probably will.
"The councillors think we should pay for our choice of school, their decision to discriminate will cost the local area, the environment and everyone."
A spokeswoman for Cheshire County Council said the charge would apply to all children starting at a denominational school in September.
She said: "It doesn't matter where the child lives the fee is the same.
"They could be from anywhere, Barnton, Northwich or Middlewich for example. They would pay the same.
"Hartford High has a smaller catchment area and the children there could get free transport if it is deemed as being a hazardous route or some distance away."
She added that the first two children in the family would be charged for the transport costs, but thereafter no more children in the family would be billed.
The scheme is not to be backdated, so only applies for children starting in September.
What do you think about the children being charged for their transport to a denominational school? Click on comment to have your say.
4:07pm Wednesday 7th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Lorraine, Barnton on 8:33pm Wed 7 May 08
Why is it only the children who attend the catholic school that are being singled out? This is nothing in my eyes but discrimination and I whole heartedly agree with Mrs Wood on this, the council have no right to single out pupils from this school just because of their religious denomination and I for one will be contacting Mrs Wood about this as further action is defiantly needed via our local MP, it's an obvious human rights issue this and has to be taken further.
Why is it only the children who attend the catholic school that are being singled out? This is nothing in my eyes but discrimination and I whole heartedly agree with Mrs Wood on this, the council have no right to single out pupils from this school just because of their religious denomination and I for one will be contacting Mrs Wood about this as further action is defiantly needed via our local MP, it's an obvious human rights issue this and has to be taken further.
Posted by: eric, lostock on 8:48pm Wed 7 May 08
the authorities provide a school if you choose to use an alternative then pay your way
the authorities provide a school if you choose to use an alternative then pay your way
Posted by: Ian, Thailand on 4:37pm Thu 8 May 08
Well said Eric.I someone chooses to be part of a minority group they should have to put up with the conditions laid down.I bet Jews,muslims,Hindus and,Buddhists dont have local schools to go to.Education and religion should be kept apart anyway.How can anyone be taught something which is a belief and not fact.Brainwashing should not be on any school cariculum
Well said Eric.I someone chooses to be part of a minority group they should have to put up with the conditions laid down.I bet Jews,muslims,Hindus and,Buddhists dont have local schools to go to.Education and religion should be kept apart anyway.How can anyone be taught something which is a belief and not fact.Brainwashing should not be on any school cariculum
Posted by: ricardo on 4:45pm Thu 8 May 08
The school is Church funded and therefore it is NOT up to the council to provide FREE transport for pupils.
Its OK for this school to discriminate on the grounds of religous faith as to which pupils can attend. How's that for human rights? Not to mention the abuses carried out by and in the knowledge of the Catholic Church!
The school is Church funded and therefore it is NOT up to the council to provide FREE transport for pupils.
Its OK for this school to discriminate on the grounds of religous faith as to which pupils can attend. How's that for human rights? Not to mention the abuses carried out by and in the knowledge of the Catholic Church!
Posted by: Annoyed catholic person!, Barnton on 7:01pm Thu 8 May 08
Oh my goodness, some people are narrow minded ill informed and ignorant.
The school is [bold]church funded[/bold] , get it?? Therefore does not take as much money from the system for education as other non denominational schools do!!
All schools teach religion, The Church of England is a religious organisation.
You obviously have not read the article properly, the Catholic school is CLOSER than the non catholic school to which transport is funded.
It seems to me some people have a problem with catholics end of.
Maybe more people should have gone to the Catholic school, then maybe they would be able to understand what discrimination means!!
Oh my goodness, some people are narrow minded ill informed and ignorant.
The school is
church funded , get it?? Therefore does not take as much money from the system for education as other non denominational schools do!!
All schools teach religion, The Church of England is a religious organisation.
You obviously have not read the article properly, the Catholic school is CLOSER than the non catholic school to which transport is funded.
It seems to me some people have a problem with catholics end of.
Maybe more people should have gone to the Catholic school, then maybe they would be able to understand what discrimination means!!
Posted by: karen, Barnton on 7:17pm Thu 8 May 08
I pay the same council tax and income tax(if not more)as any hard working person does. I should have the same access to school transport for my child as my neighbours do.
Read the report fully before spouting off religious hatred. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL IS CLOSER TO BARNTON THAN HARTFORD HIGH.
I did ask the council to transport my child to Hartford high instead actually, like all other children in Barnton are entitled to, but was told that my child was not entitled to that transport either!
As for brainwashing, the catholic scool mainly teaches GOOD VALUES, GOOD MORALS, AND TOLLERANCE OF OTHERS IN A DISCIPLINED ENVIRONMENT. Some people commenting on catholics would benefit from a bit of that. God bless youxx
I pay the same council tax and income tax(if not more)as any hard working person does. I should have the same access to school transport for my child as my neighbours do.
Read the report fully before spouting off religious hatred. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL IS CLOSER TO BARNTON THAN HARTFORD HIGH.
I did ask the council to transport my child to Hartford high instead actually, like all other children in Barnton are entitled to, but was told that my child was not entitled to that transport either!
As for brainwashing, the catholic scool mainly teaches GOOD VALUES, GOOD MORALS, AND TOLLERANCE OF OTHERS IN A DISCIPLINED ENVIRONMENT. Some people commenting on catholics would benefit from a bit of that. God bless youxx
Posted by: Ian, Thailand on 2:51pm Fri 9 May 08
Are these the good morals and values seen in Northern Ireland and catholic childrens homes.Spare me the lecture and the blessings.
Are these the good morals and values seen in Northern Ireland and catholic childrens homes.Spare me the lecture and the blessings.
Posted by: Terry, Winsford on 3:36pm Sat 10 May 08
Ian and Eric, I totally agree with you.
Ian and Eric, I totally agree with you.
Posted by: Terry, Winsford on 3:39pm Sat 10 May 08
Karen, since your on the topic of how high and mighty the Catholic schools are, perhaps you'd like to include the morals of the catholic school who discourage the use of contraception and condoms!
In today's society when STI's and such like are higher now than any other time before, it is totally and utterly irresponsible for the catholic institutions to discourage such use and preach this to the young.... DISGRACEFUL!
Karen, since your on the topic of how high and mighty the Catholic schools are, perhaps you'd like to include the morals of the catholic school who discourage the use of contraception and condoms!
In today's society when STI's and such like are higher now than any other time before, it is totally and utterly irresponsible for the catholic institutions to discourage such use and preach this to the young.... DISGRACEFUL!
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