---
title: "Widespread opposition forces Surrey County Council rethink on faith school takeover plan"
date: "2026-06-25T13:44:54+01:00"
modified: "2026-06-25T13:44:58+01:00"
url: "https://humanists.uk/2026/06/25/widespread-opposition-forces-surrey-county-council-rethink-on-faith-school-takeover-plan/"
post_id: 193193
categories: ["News"]
---

# Widespread opposition forces Surrey County Council rethink on faith school takeover plan

![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-1200-x-628-px-16.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1)Surrey County Council (SCC) has launched a [second consultation](https://engage.zencity.io/surrey-county-council/en-GB/projects/consultation-on-the-future-of-merrow-c-of-e-controlled-infant-school-and-merrow-junior-school?utm_medium=referral) on proposals to merge two schools in Guildford, after parents overwhelmingly opposed plans that would have seen a community junior school become part of a Church of England faith school. The decision by the Council to launch a fresh consultation including an option of merging with a school of no religious character, has been welcomed by Humanists UK.

The original proposal would have merged Merrow Junior School with Merrow Church of England Controlled Infant School. Despite Merrow Junior School being the larger of the two schools, the merged school would have become a Christian faith school named Merrow Church of England Primary School.

The consultation did not offer parents the option of a merged school of no religious character, and described the plan as the ‘only viable option’. This description was challenged by Humanists UK in its [consultation response](https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026-04-30-LY-Merrow-Schools-amalgamation-consultation.pdf).

Newly [published consultation results](https://media-assets-eng.zencity.io/builder-documents/54eb08f2-7627-48d1-aa22-ccef6e633647-1779099491830-48d1-aa22-ccef6e633647-1779099490930-Merrow_Consultation_Analysis_FINAL.pdf) show strong opposition from parents and the wider community. Among parents whose children might attend the merged school in future, 90% opposed the plans. Opposition was also reported from 66% of parents at other local schools and 57% of parents at Merrow Junior School. The consultation analysis also found that the Church of England designation was the ‘most contentious issue’ in responses, appearing in 67% of all comments. Many respondents said a school of no religious character would better reflect Merrow’s diverse local community, with several pointing to Census data showing declining Christian affiliation and increasing numbers of people with no religion.

#### **Commenting on the decision, Humanists UK’s Policy and Campaigns Manager Lewis Young said:**

> ‘Surrey County Council is right to listen to the overwhelming opposition to its original plans to close and merge a school of no religious character with a faith school, and seek alternative options, including a merger with a school of no religious character.
> 
> ‘Like many respondents, we challenged SCC’s claims that its original merger plan was the ‘only viable option’. This decision shows that other options are available and indeed supported by parents. We will be taking part in the new consultation and encourage others to do so.’

The consultation is [now open](https://engage.zencity.io/surrey-county-council/en-GB/projects/consultation-on-the-future-of-merrow-c-of-e-controlled-infant-school-and-merrow-junior-school?utm_medium=referral) and closes on 10 July.

#### Notes

For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Head of Press and Campaign Communications Nathan Stilwell at <press@humanists.uk> or phone 0203 675 0959 (media only).

Read more about our work on state-funded faith schools.

Read our [original consultation response](https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026-04-30-LY-Merrow-Schools-amalgamation-consultation.pdf).

Read Surrey County Council’s [consultation analysis](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zzZUO_-xjQef3RLrpkMNR9r5lBe5reFYMLCzz8iNv_M/edit?tab=t.0).

Read the [new consultation](https://engage.zencity.io/surrey-county-council/en-GB/projects/consultation-on-the-future-of-merrow-c-of-e-controlled-infant-school-and-merrow-junior-school?utm_medium=referral).

Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 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.