The Department for Education’s (DfE) consultation on lifting the 50% cap on faith school admissions for new and existing faith free schools, and to allow the opening of faith-designated special academies for the first time, closes today (20 June). In its consultation response Humanists UK, who have been leading the campaign against the plans, has condemned the proposals as a ‘step backwards for social cohesion’ which would ‘significantly undermine the principles of inclusivity which all governments should be striving to increase.’
The consultation was launched under the Conservative Government and the lifting of the 50% cap is something the party has committed to in its manifesto. But in spite of a general election being called, the consultation is continuing anyway. If Labour forms the next Government, it will then need to decide how best to respond to it.
Since 2007, all new Academies (known as Free Schools) with a religious character have been limited to selecting 50% of pupils on the basis of faith. But if the plans went ahead all state-funded faith free schools in England would be able to discriminate on religious grounds in 100% of pupil admissions. Humanists UK strongly opposes all discrimination in the state school system and highlighted how the cap ‘has had a demonstrable positive impact on improving inclusivity in faith free schools.’
Special educational needs schools with a faith designation would also be allowed to open for the first time should the proposals be approved. While these would not be able to discriminate in their admissions process, they would be able to teach religious education (RE) and relationships and sex education (RSE) and carry out collective worship in accordance with their faith. Faith-based discrimination regarding employment would also be permitted. In its consultation response Humanists UK told the DfE that it is ‘particularly important’ that pupils with special educational needs have access to high-quality and balanced education that is free of religious bias – something they would not get at a faith-designated special academy.
Humanists UK’s Education Campaigns Manager Lewis Young said:
‘The proposals to lift the 50% cap on faith school admissions and allow 100% religious discrimination in pupil intake in these schools would be a huge step backwards for religious, social, and ethnic integration. We’re also concerned about allowing faith special schools and the impact that faith-based carveouts of religious and relationships and sex education would have on children and young people with special educational needs.
‘The proposals and the consultation responses will be analysed and decided on by the next government. We hope that whoever is in office after 4 July will listen to the concerns raised by Humanists UK and drop these proposals once and for all.’
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For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959.
Read more about our work on state-funded faith schools.
Read our consultation response.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 120,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.