A school without a religious character is set to be merged with a Christian school after a legal bid by local parents to block the merger was dismissed at the High Court. The decision means that Trafalgar College is now set to acquire the Christian ethos of Great Yarmouth Charter Academy, leaving parents with little choice but to have their children now attend a faith school. Humanists UK, which campaigns against the state funding of faith schools, argued that when schools merge the presumption should always be in favour of maintaining an inclusive ethos rather than a religious one that not all families will share.
Proposals to merge the two schools were approved by Education Secretary Damian Hinds in May this year, despite widespread local opposition to the plans. Following his decision, Amie Falconer, a parent of a child at Trafalgar College, sought a judicial review of the decision to approve, citing the Secretary of State’s failure to acknowledge community opposition.
However, Mr Justice Walker ruled that there were insufficient grounds for a judicial review. Ms Falconer does not plan to appeal, instead saying she is considering moving out of the area so that her children can be sent to different schools.
Humanists UK Education Campaigns Manager Jay Harman commented, ‘We are very disappointed by the High Court’s failure to grant permission for judicial review in this case. Parents who have chosen to send their children to an inclusive school with no religious character now find their children subject to faith-based education. That is a violation of their freedom of religion or belief, and a fundamentally inappropriate scenario in a state-funded education system. The Education Secretary ought to be appalled that parents are considering moving to a new area as a result of this, something that could have been entirely avoided had the presumption been on the two schools becoming secular and inclusive rather that religious.’
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For more information and comment, contact Humanists UK’s Education Campaigns Manager Jay Harman on jay@humanists.uk
Read more about Humanists UK’s campaigning on education: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/schools-and-education/
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 community and campaigning work, we strive to create a fair and equal society for all.