The John Fisher School - Controversies

Controversies

• Since the end of its selective admissions process the school has come under fire for "its controversial points admission system which favours children from families who are the most active in the church." The school was investigated by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA) after complaints from a parent. Objections to the OSA included "governors could manipulate what was considered a bona fide parish activity to 'exclude those they do not wish to admit from the school'" and "that governors were using surnames to reject single parents". The OSA did not endorse the latter claim but made "the strongest recommendation" that the current system be scrapped. This is the second time the School's admission policy has been investigated by the OSA following complaints.

• There was a controversy regarding a former IT technician at the school. The issue was regarding the suspect grooming young teenagers online, although this did not happen while the suspect was working at the school it did cause controversy within the school and wider community about the safety of pupils.