The British Humanist Association has called today for laws allowing religious discrimination in employment by faith schools to be repealed.
The call comes in light the release today of Education Data Surveys’ 22nd Annual Survey of Senior Staff Appointments in maintained schools in England and Wales , which has revealed that over 50 per cent of Catholic schools that are seeking head teachers cannot find one and that Church of England schools also find it more difficult than community schools in finding new heads.
Professor Howson, author of the survey, said ‘Frankly it is time the Church got to grips with the issue and stopped short changing the pupils, parents and teachers associated with their schools.’
This survey comes only months after the Government, in November 2006, actually extended the power of faith schools to discriminate in their employment policies. The Education and Inspections Bill 2006 contained provisions which allowed voluntary controlled faith schools to discriminate on religious grounds in their appointment of heads and voluntary aided faith schools to discriminate in their appointment of non-teaching staff. The BHA opposed these moves at the time, but they were rushed through by the Government in the final stages of the legislation.
Andrew Copson, BHA Education officer commented, ‘Once again the recruitment difficulties faced by faith schools have been revealed. In a country where more and more adults are non-religious, it is no surprise that faith schools face such recruitment problems. These schools are discriminating against potential teachers in a way that should be impossible for publicly funded institutions, and working against their own best interests and the interests of their pupils in the process.
‘In spite of this, the Government has done nothing to protect teachers from this discrimination and ensure that teaching posts in all state-funded schools go to the best candidate, regardless of their private beliefs. Indeed, in their latest Education and Inspections Bill, the Government extended the ability of faith schools to discriminate in their employment, and instead of reducing their number, is actually encouraging an increase in faith schools.’
For further comment or information, call BHA education on 020 7079 3584 or 07855 380633 or by email
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The British Humanist Association (BHA) represents and supports the non-religious and campaigns for an end to religious privilege and to discrimination based on religion or belief