Building with angels: August 2011

Tuesday, 16 August 2011

Expedition to Westminster

Well the great day arrived - the Government interview for our proposal for Cornwall's first Catholic Secondary School (and the U.K.'s first Catholic 'free school').

After the overnight train to Paddington, we were able to celebrate Mass at the high altar in Westminster Cathedral and ask Our Lady's prayers in the fine Lady chapel.

Below- last minute preparations in Starbucks!

The meeting at the Department of Education headquarters in Great Smith Street began at 10am before a panel of four civil servants. We felt the six of us worked very well together, providing an articulate and confident response. We won't know what they decide yet until the end of September/beginning of October.

Here we are breathing a sigh of relief afterwards (our headteacher had already scooted off to catch the plane for World Youth Day in Madrid!)

But so many of you back here in Cornwall were praying that we could almost feel it.
A very big thank you to you all!

The history of St Michael's School

Following the closure of Tremough private girls' school in 1998(the only Catholic Secondary in Cornwall), some great spirited teachers and parents started up a 'small' school for children from primary age through to 16. It was able to move into the present building - a former Methodist Church in St George's Rd, Truro. In the autumn of 2009, the concept of free-schools was floated amongst all three political parties and reached the ears of the directors of St Michael's. We decided to try and gain free-school status; we would finally have financial security whilst retaining our very special ethos. This blog charts the moves behind this success story!

(The 'Angels' of the title are the many people throughout the country who over the years have pledged themselves to support the school; and of course St Michael, as well as being patron of Cornwall, is the chief archangel).