Last Thursday saw the conclusion of the Welsh government’s consultation on the white paper published ahead of the Schools Standards and Organisation (Wales) Bill, Wales’s first ever education bill. The British Humanist Association (BHA) responded to the consultation, arguing that ‘Ultimately, we would like to see every ‘faith’ school absorbed into the notionally secular schools sector, becoming inclusive community schools with all pupils educated together, regardless of the religion or belief of their parents.’
‘Faith’ schools in Wales represent a lower proportion of state-funded schools than in England, with just 14% of schools having a religious character, and almost all of these being either Church in Wales or Roman Catholic. There are no Academies or Free Schools, and new foundation schools are not permitted to open. However, many of the schools are allowed to religiously discriminate in admissions, in employment policies, and in provision of Religious Education (RE) and Sex and Relationships Education (SRE). Last summer, the Welsh government, the Church in Wales and the Catholic Education Service for England and Wales together published Faith in Education, a document that claimed a special role for ‘faith’ schools, and ascribed to them special abilities to support pupils’ moral development.
In its response, the BHA argued specifically that the proposals give too much power to diocesan authorities in school reorganisation, and also presented arguments against the principle of ‘faith’ schools in general, looking at public support for ‘faith’ schools, human rights arguments against ‘faith’ schools, and also responding to the Faith in Education report.
BHA Faith Schools Campaigner Richy Thompson commented, ‘“Faith” schools divide children into those who have faith and those who do not, and therefore harm cohesion between different religions and beliefs. Opinion polls consistently show that the majority of the population believe that “Schools should be for everyone regardless of religion and the government should not be funding faith schools of any kind”. We urge the Welsh government to integrate their “faith” schools into the community schools sector.’
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For further comment or information, please contact Richy Thompson on 020 7462 4993.
Read more about the BHA’s campaigns work on ‘faith’ schools.
For more information on the different types of ‘faith’ school, please see the BHA’s table of types of school with a religious character.
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.