Laurie Taylor writes about my old school – Sacred Heart College, on the Worcester Road, in Droitwich.
I’d say his article likely a fair reflection of reality; even in the 80s there were a few priests (and some sixth formers) whom the other kids told you to keep away from; but there were also enough lay staff to dilute the power. The article is repeated in the Times but one commenter there is clearly either whitewashing, or doesn’t know what he’s talking about. (“Father Dutton”, mentioned in a positive light, was still teaching science in the early 80s)
One of the former teachers at the school wrote me in 2007:
The standards at SHC were very poor but Terry O’Malley did make some inspired improvements and despite his failings, he was one of the few who had a heart in the right place. […] I was most unhappy in 1990 when the order sold the site for 4 million GBP […] The new breed of priests were happier in the comfort and low effort requirements of the presbytery. It simply confirmed all I had believed about Catholicism!
Bullying was rife as it was in all schools and despite policies and modern methods it is hard to eradicate. I do think pastoral care has improved over the years and education is now much more pupil-centred. It is sad that FriendsReunited reveals such a bitter group of old boys. The school was far from perfect but there were *some* things for which it could be praised. I, too, read about questionable liasons [WEBSITE ELIDED] but it was implicit. People who write such things in the public domain should put up or shut up. The guilty party should be named and relevant action taken retrospectively. I was never aware of such behaviour […] but on two occassions, I have stopped priests from beating pupils senslessly. It is sad that few of them were actually trained teachers, and they did have short tempers. On the other hand, they were running a rather low class boarding establishment and had to be paternal for 24 hours a day. I was able to return to the sanctuary of a good family. Looking back, the school had to close. With current curriculum requirements and modern Health and Safety issues it would never have adapted adequately.
My sister still spits blood about helping fundraise for the school, only for it to be sold-off shortly after I left, the new “sports block” demolished.
I remember half-qualified teachers – including one con-man who posed as a History teacher for a term – and fights, and bullying and only half-edible food. I remember half-assed management, so that I got told I was doing the S-level maths exam, with literally no warning, related teaching or preparation; I also remember being told “not to bother” with Oxbridge entrance exams – yet of my peers I got the best university place.
I wonder where I’d be today if there’d been more than 3 teachers who were worthy of the description, and an academic framework not centred around the church next door. I hated it – but I’ve never suffered the illusion that schooldays were the best days of my life, so I must assume my life’s only been getting better ever since.
That’s about the only positive thing I can say; and I’m still grateful to have only been a day-boy.
There appear to be two relevant facebook groups, if you’re anothersuch survivor and Google sends you this way.
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