The BHA’s concerns over the government’s new academies programme were raised in parliament when humanist peers spoke in the Lords committee stage debate on the Academies Bill.
In the debate held on 23rd June, BHA distinguished supporter Baroness Massey spoke passionately on curriculum issues, including making the case that all Academies, including those run by religious groups, should be required to teach ‘the precepts of humanism and secularism’ alongside religious beliefs. Baroness Thornton agreed, saying ‘I am a humanist, and I know that humanism has moral and ethical precepts and a compassionate culture.’ Baroness Whitaker took the opportunity to declare her support for the BHA, saying ‘I, too, am a humanist. Indeed, I am now a vice-president of the association’.
Baroness Massey went on to argue against the provisions of the Bill that will make it compulsory for state-funded religious schools which apply for academy status to become religious academies. The BHA is particularly concerned about this aspect of the Bill as there are no analogous protections for community schools to always become inclusive secular Academies.
Peers who are not associated with the All Party Humanist Group in parliament also expressed concern about “faith schools” converting to religious Academies, particularly focusing on their potential for division and the teaching of unbalanced curricula.
Lord Baker, Conservative peer and former Secretary of State for Education and Science, maintained that ‘it is sensible for children of different faiths to sit, play and eat alongside each other in school and to go home on the bus together’ while Lord Lucas asserted that ‘even in schools that are of a firmly religious character, children should be taught about the precepts and practices of other religions and – I agree – humanism’.
The debate went on to cover the Academies Bill in relation to equalities legislation, particularly with regard to employment and admissions policies. Humanist peers argued that without amendment the Bill could greatly extend the religious discrimination that many “faith schools” are currently entitled to exercise.
Naomi Phillips, BHA Head of Public Affairs, commented, ‘For the BHA, the Academies Bill represents a real step-change in policy that, without the amendments which we are seeking, could entrench irreversible religious privilege in our schools system. We are working closely with parliamentarians from all parties on this issue, ensuring they are fully briefed on our key concerns and that the voice of humanists is heard in the legislative process. Working with our supporters in parliament is an important way in which we can set the context and agenda for the debate.’
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For further comment or information, contact Naomi Phillips on 020 7079 3585.
Read the full Lords Committee stage debate transcript.
Read the BHA’s briefings for Lords on the Academies Bill, Committee Stage: Status of Schools, Curriculum, and RE & Collective Worship.
Support the BHA’s work on faith schools by making a donation.