Bishop John Sherrington has given a speech about the Historical Importance and Impact of Catholic Education to the Diocese of Westminster's Secondary Head Teachers’ Conference at St Joan of Arc's School in Rickmansworth, held on 1 - 3 February 2012.
He identified five distinct contributions which show the historical importance and impact of Catholic education in England and Wales:
- The foundations laid by the religious in the early eighteenth and then nineteenth centuries.
- The Church works to ensure the access of all children, especially the poor, to education.
- Political involvement ensuring the provision and funding of Catholic education for all who desire it.
- The quantitative increase in places to meet need and the educational opportunities which arise from this.
- The constant focus on religious formation of persons and focus on its distinctive nature.
