Two Catholic schools that secularists tried to prevent from opening have been rated as outstanding by Ofsted.
St Richard Reynolds Catholic High School and St Richard Reynolds Catholic Primary School in Richmond, south-west London, underwent a recent insepection and were rated at oustanding in every aspect.
The school was opened in September 2013 and is now approaching the end of its second year.
Richard Burke, the principal, said: “Our high school and primary school were inspected recently by Ofsted. We are delighted to report that both schools were judged to be outstanding in every category. We are delighted with the outcomes of our two recent Ofsted inspections which are clearly the result of so much hard work by so many people.
“Our college came into existence through the faith and perseverance of the local community in Richmond upon Thames. It has been the strength of character and determination of this community that has helped to bring about this recognition and we are grateful for it.
“We are blessed with an exceptional group of staff, both teachers and support staff, a remarkable cohort of pupils in both our Primary and Secondary schools, an able and challenging Governing Body and a supportive and delighted set of parents.
“These reports demonstrate that we are on the right path in providing an all-round education for our young people that will enable them to meet the demands of the 21st century at a College where they come first, are loved, listened to, challenged and inspired. Videte Bona Domini.”
The British Humanist Association (BHA) lost a legal challenge in November 2012 through which it tried to prevent the schools from opening.
The BHA along with the Richmond Inclusive Schools Campaign argued that following an amendment to the Education and Inspections Act 2006, local authorities must first consider estabishing a free school or academy if they think that there is a demand for a new school.
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