Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Convent opts into state system

Lucy Ward
Friday 06 June 1997 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A Catholic girls' school is to become the first private school to opt into the state system under the new government.

Virgo Fidelis Convent School in Croydon, south London, will become a state school in August, and will open its doors to non-fee paying pupils for the first time in September. The school is one of 12 independent schools which made a bid to become state-funded under the Conservative government but whose applications were held up by the general election campaign. One has been turned down and ten more await a decision. Sister Bernadette, headmistress at the convent school, said the school, which was founded 149 years ago by Irish nuns to educate children from the streets and workhouses, would now be better placed than ever to fulfil its mission of serving low-income families.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in