Attempt to hand more control of state-funded schools to religious groups shows education is not Bishop’s primary concern, the BHA has said today.
The Lord Bishop of Lincoln, who sits in the House of Lords as of right as one of the Lords Spiritual, has tabled a number of amendments to the Academies Bill, all of which seek to increase the power and control of religious groups running new Academies. For example, the House of Lords will debate amendments that would give “religious authorities” total control over choosing who can be a governor of a “religious” Academy, and that Academies’ constitutions must satisfy the requirements of whichever religious authority runs the school.
Andrew Copson, BHA Chief Executive, commented, ‘Even unamended, the Academies Bill is a massive de-regulation of public education, which provides no protection for children against unsound education in religious interests, will increase the amount of money paid by the public to religious schools, and permanently removes the possibility for state-funded religious schools to choose to become inclusive Academies. To increase control by religious groups even further in these schools is clearly not in the best interests of children or parents but of religious groups who want an even tighter grip on our education system.’
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For further comment or information, contact Andrew Copson on 020 3675 0959 or 020 7079 3583.
Read the BHA’s briefings for Lords on the Academies Bill, Committee Stage: Status of Schools, Curriculum, and RE & Collective Worship.
The Lord Bishop of Lincoln has tabled amendments 12, 60, 121 and 166 to the Academies Bill. See the full list of amendments.