ANOTHER VIEW

This is how an ex-Blue Coat boarder from the 1950's sees the situation.

I was a boarding pupil at the Blue Coat School from 1953 until 1959. Mr Watcyn was the Headmaster at the time. Looking back on my time at the school carries some risk of distorting the historical reality of those distant days. If nothing else however, I can honestly say that, without education and development in the widest sense, within the school, I would never have had the opportunities I have fortunately benefited from. I owe everything to the school and the subsequent choices my experience and education opened up for me.

I have learned of a 'threat' to the school's independence; apparently posed by the Church of England, and understand that you are looking for support to counter their case. I do not know enough of the situation to comment upon the pros and cons directly but understand why it is of great concern.

I am not a strongly religious person, or churchgoer, but have my own personal interpretation (and beliefs) of Christian values. I believe, however, that a basic Christian and moral upbringing at the Blue Coat has affected my life positively despite my thoughts at the time of Communion before breakfast and Chapel up to three times on a Sunday! The structured religious influence upon the life was at the heart of the Blue Coat albeit more so for the boarders than day pupils. Mr Watcyn, being a lay preacher and supported by the Board of Governors, was clearly the main mover and shaker in this. I believe that he was the instigator of the link between the school and Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. Yes, he was the last of the 'old school' and looks old-fashioned from today's perspective but he was just and had enough of a sense of humour to be approachable.

In recent years, in the name of 'multiculturalism', ties between the church and the state (and thus the educational structure) have been loosened. Multiculturalism has indirectly been a factor in weakening of national values and character. When allied to the increasing loss of family cohesion, the subsequent destructive fallout is readily observed in any large town or city. Little remains to maintain traditional values, apart from the church and individuals.

I believe that the Church of England should be supported in its continued connection to the State and, therefore, educational institutions. This is in order to state as to what we believe and where we come from and to allow us to benefit from what I believe to be a positive influence. This is not exclusive of other 'churches' but the historical context should not be ignored. Recently, the Telegraph labelled the Church of England selection system as elitist. Well, so were the Blue Coat and many other private/semi-private schools, but it at least took secondary modern standard pupils and gave them another chance of excellence at age 13. (As an aside, upon the occasion of the dedication of the new gates in 1958, I was present when Mr Watcyn told the Lord Mayor that his aim was to turn the Blue Coat into a minor public school)

I live in France where the separation of the State and Church was a product of the revolution and is still fiercely defended today. However, the family structure continues to flourish as a profoundly beneficial influence upon the development of young people, arguably in place of the Church, which cannot be said of the UK. I imagine that the threat from the Church of England is seen as one of loss of independence. This is understandable but is the principle without merit? Is not the Church possibly restating the historical connection between the State and the Church of England and thus the educational system; possibly as a belated move to neutralise the malign influence of multiculturalism and other factors?

I am looking forward to the 300th anniversary programme and, all being well, my wife and I hope to attend.

E. W.

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