Government warns private faith schools about teaching creationism as fact

22 March, 2018

Proposed Government guidance on meeting the Independent School Standards states that private schools in England should not teach creationism as fact, or present it ‘as having a similar or superior evidence base to scientific theories’.

The new guidance, which was published for consultation as part of the Government Integrated Communities Strategy, is non-statutory, meaning that schools are not required to follow it. However, the Government proposes that both inspectors and Department for Education officials take the guidance into account when assessing whether or not the Independent School Standards are being met in relation to an independent school.

The Independent School Standards currently require independent schools in England to give pupils ‘experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education’. Interpretation of this requirement has largely been left up to schools in the past, with Ofsted effectively setting the parameters and minimum standards for such education through its inspections. A handful of private faith schools have been criticised by inspectors for teaching creationism as fact in the recent past, but this approach has not been applied to the private school sector as a whole.

Now, however, the Government has proposed to include the following statement in new non-statutory guidance for independent schools in England:

‘Independent schools may teach creationism as part of a belief system but it should not be presented as having a similar or superior evidence base to scientific theories.’

In effect, this signals a desire on the part of government for private schools to be held to similar standards as state schools, where teaching creationism as fact was banned in 2014 following the ‘Teach evolution, not creationism!’ campaign run by Humanists UK.

Humanists UK Education Campaigns Manager Jay Harman commented, ‘Given that this guidance relates to private schools, the Government will be concerned about striking a balance between parents’ rights and children’s rights when it comes to enforcing it. That thinking is no doubt reflected in the fact that this is non-statutory guidance, and schools will not be obliged to follow it. In effect, therefore, this is an attempt by the Government to advise schools on the quality of their education, fulfilling its responsibility to promote the rights of children, while also leaving room for parents to continue exercising their right to raise their children in line with their religious or philosophical convictions.

‘There will likely be opposition to the guidance from a minority of private faith schools, but this is a reasonable move for the Government to make so we hope it will stick to it guns.’

Notes

For further comment or information please contact Humanists UK Education Campaigns Manager Jay Harman on jay@humanists.uk or 0207 324 3078.

Read the draft guidance: https://consult.education.gov.uk/school-frameworks/operating-the-independent-school-regulatory-system/supporting_documents/180214%20%20ISSAdvice%20v13.0draftforCS.pdf

Read our previous news item ‘Private religious school failed by Ofsted for teaching young earth creationism as science’: https://humanists.uk/2016/04/21/private-religious-school-failed-by-ofsted-for-teaching-young-earth-creationism-as-science/

Read more about our work on science, evolution, and creationism: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/schools-and-education/school-curriculum/science-evolution-and-creationism/

Read more about our work on private faith schools: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/schools-and-education/faith-schools/

At Humanists UK, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. Our work brings non-religious people together to develop their own views, helping people be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have. Through our ceremonies, education services, and campaigning work, we’re committed to creating a fair and equal society for all.