22 more religious Free Schools are opening for the first time this week, along with a number of new sponsored Academies and existing schools converting to gain a religious character. The British Humanist Association (BHA) has voiced concern about the continuing expansion in the number of state-funded ‘faith’ schools.
The newly opening religious Free Schools, which make up over a third of all the new mainstream Free Schools, include five Church of England schools, two Roman Catholic schools, ten other Christian schools (including two sponsored by Chapel St, one sponsored by Oasis and one sponsored by United Learning), three Muslim schools sponsored by Tauheedul, one Sikh school, and one Steiner school.
In addition, eight new religious sponsored Academies are due to have opened through the targeted basic need programme (TBNP), namely four Church of England schools and four Christian schools sponsored by Oasis. A number of other existing schools are likely have chosen to gain a religious character or been placed under a religious sponsor after becoming an Academy. And thousands of existing ‘faith’ schools have expanded their capacity, also through TBNP.
BHA Faith Schools Campaigner Richy Thompson commented, ‘It is hugely important that every school offers an environment that is equally inclusive of all pupils, regardless of their religion or belief. No state school should be allowed to discriminate on the basis of religion in its admissions or employment policies or its curriculum and this is a further big step down a dangerous road for the future of children in England. We will continue to campaign for changes to the law to ensure that we can pass on to future generations a more diverse, harmonious society than that which our current school system engenders.’
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For further comment or information, please contact Richy Thompson at richy@humanists.uk or on 020 7324 3072.
Read the list of newly opening Free Schools: https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014-open-Free-Schools.xlsx
And of new TBNP sponsored Academies: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/343851/Recently_established_schools_under_s6A.xlsx
Read more about the BHA’s campaigns work on ‘faith’ schools: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/schools-and-education/faith-schools/
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.