That would be an interesting statistic. When I used to be involved in renting properties we were pretty much solely dealing with Polish tenants and companies were shipping them over wholesale to populate the workforce in various warehouses.

It seems half the bus drivers are Polish as well.

I don't suppose specific stats would be taken as they have the right to work in the UK as EU citizens.

I'd be astounded if 5% of Warrington's population was non-British.

It will be more than that. I know of one company alone that brought over 300. However many only stay for six months or so before returning home as their employment contracts finish.

And if there was only 3000 I doubt anyone would have bothered opening a specialist Polish grocery store. You want to try shopping in Lidl as well; no-one seems to speak English in there.

And another point; I know that the number of kids in St Philips Primary School who are registered as of non-British origin (bear in mind this is a Church Of England funded school) was 15% as it stated that on the Ofsted report.

And whilst I am on this subject, why is the lack of diversity in Warrington seen as a negative point? I bet it would only cause tension.

I seem to remember you said you dealt with properties at the lower end of the market. Hardly surprising then that you saw a disproportionate number of Poles.

Because Warrington is insular.

Possibly but like I said, probably no more so than any other Northern town. And just because a town like Burnley has an Asian population doesn't make it any less insular. Have you ever been there? I would say it was worse than here.

Warrington will still attract people from outside the area that will continue to be the case as this area seems to be suffering less during the downturn and there still appears to be plenty of employment opportunites.

Easy to knock this town but it has a lot going for it.

I'm not knocking Warrington at all. As I said earlier, I love it.

Where is this bit on the Ofsted report about non-British pupils by the way?

It was in a report they sent home a couple of months ago. To be fair I think it referred to denominational religion. My youngest go there as well and it is quite clear when you look at the classes.

Never ceases to amaze me as it is a C of E funded school.

Faith -based schools do attract other religions as they are open to the concept of faith generally.

From the 2001 census at www.statistics.gov.uk/: People born in England/Scotland/Wales/Ireland living in Warrington: 185,961 or 97.32% People born elsewhere living in Warrington: 5,119 or 2.68% Compared to the National proportions of 91.68% to 8.32% and the North West proportions of 95.76% to 4.24%

From the 2001 census at www.statistics.gov.uk/: People born in England/Scotland/Wales/Ireland living in Warrington: 185,961 or 97.32% People born elsewhere living in Warrington: 5,119 or 2.68% Compared to the National proportions of 91.68% to 8.32% and the North West proportions of 95.76% to 4.24%

And from: www.warrington.gov.uk/Images/Pop ... -31293.pdf Warrington Borough Migration - Mid 2002 to Mid 2007 In Out 2002 - 2003 500 600 2003 - 2004 700 700 2004 - 2005 1,000 1,100 2005 - 2006 800 900 2006 - 2007 800 900 Overall 3,800 4,200 So in other words, from 2002 to 2007, 4,200 moved to Warrington from overseas.

And from: www.warrington.gov.uk/Images/Pop ... -31293.pdf Warrington Borough Migration - Mid 2002 to Mid 2007 In Out 2002 - 2003 500 600 2003 - 2004 700 700 2004 - 2005 1,000 1,100 2005 - 2006 800 900 2006 - 2007 800 900 Overall 3,800 4,200 So in other words, from 2002 to 2007, 4,200 moved to Warrington from overseas.

Up till August I've spent 18 months living in the Canaries. When I said where2 I was from the usual reply was "Isn't it that place on the news where they have metal detectors on the streets & they kick each other to death.

Pretty embarrasing to be honest.

Quote ="SEB"And from: www.warrington.gov.uk/Images/Pop ... -31293.pdf Warrington Borough Migration - Mid 2002 to Mid 2007 In Out 2002 - 2003 500 600 2003 - 2004 700 700 2004 - 2005 1,000 1,100 2005 - 2006 800 900 2006 - 2007 800 900 Overall 3,800 4,200 So in other words, from 2002 to 2007, 4,200 moved to Warrington from overseas.'" No, I think it means 3800 moved to Warrington. 4200 moved out (and some of those may come from the 3800). Well, it's clear that the percentage in Warrington is very low. I still want to know about Mark_M's school. I don't get that figure.

Quote ="SEB"And from: www.warrington.gov.uk/Images/Pop ... -31293.pdf Warrington Borough Migration - Mid 2002 to Mid 2007 In Out 2002 - 2003 500 600 2003 - 2004 700 700 2004 - 2005 1,000 1,100 2005 - 2006 800 900 2006 - 2007 800 900 Overall 3,800 4,200 So in other words, from 2002 to 2007, 4,200 moved to Warrington from overseas.'" No, I think it means 3800 moved to Warrington. 4200 moved out (and some of those may come from the 3800). Well, it's clear that the percentage in Warrington is very low. I still want to know about Mark_M's school. I don't get that figure.

Why don't you get that figure? The school has a high proportion of non C of E kids in it. A lot of those are Asian of various religious denominations.
I suspect it is a lot higher than anywhere else in Warrington.

Is it that 15% are non-British? or non-C of E? or non-Christian?

Non C Of E.

Didn't know you were a Hannah Montana fan?



Good thread guys. Nice debate, points being bashed around etc.

So could be Catholic, non-Conformists, Muslim, Hindu and no faith.

But it is a faith school (as you have already pointed out). And considering I drop the kids off there most days it is patently obvious that many of them are of Asian origin.

What exactly is your interest in this or are you deliberately trying to score points by proving how superior you are?

No Mark, I'm not trying to score points at all. I've had instructions to behave.

I am interested in how the composition of a school reflects (or doesn't) the local community. Beyond that, I'm interested in Warrington's lack of diversity. I also have a professional interest in faith-based foundations. So all in all, quite an interesting topic for me.

oops, yes, typed that in a hurry. Yes you are right it means there is still a very low percentage of overseas-origin people resident in Warrington compared to the North West and nationally.

I don't think the school does reflect Warrington but for whatever reason it has attracted a more than typical number of pupils of wider ethnic diversity. It doesn't even particularly reflect the local parish.

On the other point, surely it is only inevitable that Warrington will continue to get a more diverse population as it continues to demonstrate a strong economic profile. The two things are inextricably linked.

Warrington to me, has always been like a small city tbh. We always shopped here, up until I was about 9-10 I'd probably spent more time in warrington town centre with my parents than my own town centre. Here three or four times a week normally at the driving range too. My perception of Warrington is divided really, putting rugby aside of course. For example, west warrington ares like Penko, gt Sankey and westbrook always seemed quite upmarket to me, yet everyone I know from the town laughs when i say that. The the likes of Stockton Heath, etc, although tbh for whatever reason I never particularly view this as Warrington, god knows why. TBH don't know jack about likes of Woolston, Fearnhead or Goldborne places liek that, so reserve judgement.
Overall impression, as a town, got quite a lot going for you, although for the sheer size and population, it should do IMHO.
Shame about the no kissing etc, funny that as my first ever kiss was a girl from Stockton Heath.

Cue "Kiss me where it smells" Widnes joke

But we've been a boom town for a long time now and SEB's data shows little change.