CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ARE 'PIVOTAL TO THE ARCHDIOCESE'S ABILITY TO FULFIL ITS COMMITMENT'.

THE Catholic Archdiocese in Cardiff is opposed to the proposal to close Mary Immaculate High School.

Speaking publicly for the first time on the council's plans for the school, Canon Peter Collins, chairman of the Archdiocesan Schools Commission, said while the Archdiocese recognised the challenges faced by local authorities in addressing issues of falling rolls, the closure of this secondary school was not the way forward.

Canon Collins said: "The Catholic voluntary aided sector in Cardiff has always demonstrated its willingness to address the issues of future provision and development. The Archdiocese took a lead in developing tertiary provision when, in 1987, St David's College was established to provide post-16 Catholic education. Following that initiative, there has been a pattern of increasing collaboration in Cardiff between our three secondary schools and St David's College. In the last 18 months the Archdiocese has commissioned two reports to explore the potential for building on these collaborative arrangements through the development of a federated structure." Canon Collins' statement added: "The archdiocese believes that such a structure is a creative and effective response to the challenges facing the secondary sector. Indeed the most recent report by Optima states that 'this is a process closely in line with the aspirations and policies of WAG, as well as the priorities of the local authority'.

"Therefore, the archdiocese is opposed to any proposal to close Mary Immaculate Catholic High School because as the Optima Report says, 'The continuing existence of the three Catholic (high) schools is seen as pivotal to these developments and to the ability of the archdiocese and schools to fulfil their commitment.'" Canon Collins added: "The archdiocese is committed to a dialogue with the Cardiff local authority in order to ensure that there is adequate Catholic secondary provision."