Catholic schools in England server a larger portion of that country’s underprivileged students than their non-Catholic school counterparts, according to a recent release from the country’s Catholic Education Service (CES).
The data collected by CES shows that 18.4 percent of students in Catholic primary schools are from the poorest areas of England, compared to 13.8 percent nationally.
The story is the similar in Catholic secondary schools in England. 17.3 percent of students in Catholic secondary schools are from the poorest areas of England, compared to 12.2 percent nationally.
Catholic schools in England also boast an increasing number of Catholic students in the Catholic schools ,although the percentage of Catholic students has stayed the same at about 70 percent, according to the study.
Additionally, the study found that Catholic schools in England take more students from ethnic backgrounds, with 34.5 percent of students in primary schools and 30.2 percent of students in secondary schools coming from various ethnic backgrounds.
An agency of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, CES safeguards and promotes Catholic education, according to their website. Director of CES Paul Barber stated:
The makeup of Catholic schools reflects the growing diversity of our communities and these figures demonstrate the vital role that Catholic schools play in working towards a common good for the whole society and carrying out the Church's mission to the poor.
Catholic Education Daily is an online publication of The Cardinal Newman Society. Click here for email updates and free online membership with The Cardinal Newman Society.