Plans to build a new Catholic secondary school in Twickenham have moved closer to reality, despite concerns over its proposed admissions criteria.

The proposals, which would see a voluntary-aided faith school installed on Twickenham’s Clifden Road site, won initial backing from Richmond Council’s education and children’s services overview and scrutiny committee on Tuesday, May 15.

The committee voted to support the the diocese of Westminster’s school plans, which will be passed up to cabinet, where a decision will be made.

Discussion over whether a Catholic school should be built in Clifden Road have focused on Catholic parents’ argument that provision was needed so their children could stop having to travel out of borough for faith-based secondary education.

Opponents argued the borough needed more school provision that would be open to all, as some believe the school would discriminate against children of other faiths.

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