Chinese heads make landmark school visit

Sixth formers at St John Payne School in Chelmsford quiz visiting Chinese headteachers on China's human rights record.

Posted: 16 Apr 2007

Eighteen headteachers from China have been questioned by a group of Catholic sixth form students on the country's dubious human rights record.

As part of a visit that will see students from St John Payne School in Chelmsford, Essex visit China in return, the headteachers were quizzed on a range of issues, including China's one child policy and the lack of religious freedom allowed by the Government, especially to Roman Catholics.

Having been welcomed by deputy headteacher Des Kelly, who gave them a tour of the school, the visitors were introduced to the principles of Catholic education. The headteachers, who work in a strict atheistic environment, were interested to hear the stress put on the uniqueness of the individual and the principle of educating the whole person, that the human and the divine are inseparable.

Commenting afterwards on the landmark visit, Mr Kelly said: "it was very interesting to hear the responses of the Chinese headteachers to the students' questions. Moreover, the interest and respect that the visitors showed to the principles of Catholic education was marked. After all, as they recognised, 'there are no Catholic schools in China'."

For more information please contact Des Kelly (Deputy Headteacher) on 01245 256030 (Ext. 22)