Humanists UK warns Equalities Committee of ‘shocking’ impact faith schools have on cohesion

Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson warned the Women and Equalities Committees about the impact faith schools have on community cohesion. Andrew was invited to appear in front of the Committee to deliver expert oral evidence as part of its inquiry on community cohesion. Humanists UK had previously submitted written evidence.

During the session, Andrew highlighted the negative impact that faith schools have on community cohesion as they segregate children along religious, economic, and racial lines and so impede opportunities for children from different backgrounds to come together. He pointed out that almost no other European countries have faith schools with religiously selective admissions criteria, and how absurd it would be for other public services, such as libraries or hospitals, to be religiously segregated. He also reiterated Humanists UK’s call for Ofsted to reinstate its inspection on how schools contribute to community cohesion.

Citing that an estimated 6,000 children are being taught in illegal ‘schools’ in this country, Andrew warned the Committee that while the Government is taking action to close them down via its Schools Bill, loopholes may persist despite this which will enable illegal schools to continue to function, placing children at severe safeguarding risks.

In his oral evidence to the Committee, Andrew also called for a human rights-centred and dynamic approach to community cohesion – including interfaith and belief work as well as side-by-side activities, such as gardening or sports, to boost interactions and mixing at a local level. He told the Committee that we need to accept that people hold views that other people disagree with as long as they’re not causing harm to others. And when harms do occur, he called on robust government intervention, including protecting people from religious violence where it occurs, and protecting apostates who can be at risk in this country due to leaving their religion. 

Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson commented:

‘It was a pleasure to speak to the Women and Equalities Committee and share our recommendations on how Government can improve community cohesion – from ending religious segregation in schools, reforming Religious Education to be taught nationally and made inclusive of humanism, shutting down illegal schools, and reintroducing inspection of cohesion in schools. 

‘The Government has many levers it could pull to improve community cohesion at its disposal, and we call on it to take action.’