C4 School Admissions Documentary

[mailto:Tony.Dillamore@ricochet.co.uk]

My name is Tony Dillamore and I am a researcher on
a Channel 4 Documentary about school admissions. I
hope you do not mind me contacting you out the blue.
For the past 5 months we've been filming various
families around the country as they go through the process
of applying for primary and secondary school places, including
some who will be going to appeal to schools they didn't get in to.

As you are clearly aware, an increasingly common practice is that of
parents attending churches in order to secure school places at affiliated
faith schools. Our view is very much that the vast majority of these
parents are forced into considering this option, against their will,
whether they are agnostic or atheist. The simple fact is that faith
schools continue to deliver results, and in areas where the alternative
options are failing schools what other possible route is there than to
suspend one’s personal beliefs in order to secure that priests’ reference
and in turn that school place?

I am writing to you to ask if you know specifically of anybody who is
currently considering, or has in the past considered, this ‘option’ for
a decent, state funded comprehensive education. If you are not aware of
any individuals perhaps you could point me in the direction of a group or
website where I might better reach people who may be facing such a dilemma.

As both a company and a production we are thoroughly versed in the
requirements of filming topics of such contention. Any filming would of
course be fully agreed with the potential contributor and our documentary
will not be airing until October 2006 and therefore have no impact upon
current school applications. If needs be we would be happy to interview
people in anonymity if they felt more comfortable talking to us in this
way.

We really are only a small crew - 3 people including a camaraman and are, at
this stage, simply wishing to have a brief chat with people for whom this issue
is a real concern. If you are at all interested, or can assist in any way do let
me know and I can tell you more about our programme.
Many thanks.
Best wishes.
Tony Dillamore