We hear that the Catholic Bishop of Portsmouth has written to the Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, David Pugh, to register his ‘dismay’ at the council’s proposed changes to discretionary concessionary fares for pupils attending faith schools on the Island.
In his letter, embedded below for your convenience, he warns that the proposals “could jeopardise the flourishing and development of Christ the King College.”
Campaigner, Chris Whitehouse, from Totland said, “We greatly welcome the Bishop’s contribution to the debate. It shows the strength of feeling about this attack on faith schools which is now felt throughout the Christian community of the Island.
“What has also now emerged is that the Council has never undertaken a full Impact Assessment of its proposals, which should have been the starting point for the consultation exercise. If it had done so it would have realised the threat they pose to Christ the King College. Two faith primary schools, Brighstone Church of England and St Francis, Ventnor , a joint Church of England and Catholic primary school, are also particularly badly hit by the proposals. Others will also be damaged.
“The time has come to call a halt to this divisive and ill-considered plan.”
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