---
title: "New research highlights need for legislation to close illegal schools"
date: "2024-09-10T16:26:46+01:00"
modified: "2024-09-10T16:26:51+01:00"
url: "https://humanists.uk/2024/09/10/new-research-highlights-need-for-legislation-to-close-illegal-schools/"
post_id: 147835
categories: ["News"]
---

# New research highlights need for legislation to close illegal schools

![](https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/5555.png)Counter-extremism think tank Nahamu has published a new [Education Policy Position Paper](https://nahamu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Education-Briefing-8-Sept-24.pdf) in which it has argued that the UK Government needs to legislate to close loopholes in education law that enable [illegal faith schools](https://humanists.uk/campaigns/schools-and-education/faith-schools/illegal-faith-schools/) in England to continue to operate. The Government should also establish a register of home-educated children to make sure they are receiving an ‘adequate and appropriate education’. Thankfully the Government is proposing to do just that through its current Children’s Wellbeing Bill. Humanists UK has welcomed the Paper.

Nahamu is an organisation that campaigns for better education for UK-based Charedi Jewish children. In its briefing paper it highlights how many Charedi boys are wholly unable to speak, write, or read English. Using testimony of former students and parents, it reports that this is because many Charedi boys attend unregistered, or illegal, schools, and receive no education in English, maths, or science beyond the age of 13. The briefing further states that parents make ‘spurious’ home education claims and ‘dishonest’ reports to Ofsted including providing ‘theoretical timetables’ and work that has not been completed by the children themselves.

There are [at least 6,000 children in England](https://humanists.uk/2019/04/12/new-data-on-illegal-schools-reveals-grave-situation-says-humanists-uk/) missing from mainstream education and who are trapped in unsafe illegal ‘schools’, being subject to a narrow, scriptural education in [cramped, unsanitary conditions](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-47899473). Humanists UK has led the campaign to close the legal loopholes, including the lack of a home education register and the [limited powers of Ofsted](https://humanists.uk/2023/11/24/ofsted-annual-report-calls-for-action-on-illegal-schools-and-improved-religious-education/) to investigate suspected settings, used by proprietors of illegal faith schools for over a decade.

It is hoped the loopholes exploited by proprietors of illegal schools will now be closed due to measures proposed in the [2024 King’s Speech](https://humanists.uk/2024/07/17/humanists-welcome-kings-speech-plans-to-close-illegal-schools-reform-curriculum-and-admissions/) including a ‘Children Not in School’ register, and powers for Ofsted to investigate the offence of operating an unregistered independent school.

#### **Humanists UK’s Education Campaigns Manager Lewis Young said:**

> ‘We welcome Nahamu’s latest report which sheds further light on the ways proprietors of illegal schools exploit loopholes in our education system. Every child has the right to a balanced and safe education that will equip them for the future but sadly too many children are being taught a narrow education in unsafe conditions. We need significant changes in the law to close these loopholes.
> 
> ‘We are glad the Government intends to bring forward legislation to close illegal schools in short order, to make sure every child is given the education they deserve. We look forward to working with ministers and officials to develop these proposals.’

#### Notes

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 [illegal faith schools](https://humanists.uk/campaigns/schools-and-education/faith-schools/illegal-faith-schools/).

[Read Nahamu’s Education Policy Position Paper](https://nahamu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Education-Briefing-8-Sept-24.pdf).

[Read about the Children’s Wellbeing Bill](https://humanists.uk/2024/07/17/humanists-welcome-kings-speech-plans-to-close-illegal-schools-reform-curriculum-and-admissions/).

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.