Coalition of academics call for end to collective worship in state schools

10 October, 2018

A coalition of leading UK academics has called for an end to collective worship in English state schools, arguing that all children need to be given the freedom to make up their own minds on the merits of particular religious beliefs.

Authors of the Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain’s new pamphlet, How to regulate faith schools, also argued that pupils should not be directed towards belief in any particular religious faith.

They recommend an end to compulsory collective worship in schools and moves towards more inclusive admissions arrangements and religious education in all schools.

The pamphlet was authored by Matthew Clayton, Andrew Mason, Adam Swift, and Ruth Wareham.

Responding to the pamphlet’s release, Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said:

The UK is the only country in the world to mandate Christian worship in state-funded schools, which means children are expected to take part in compulsory collective worship such as saying prayers and singing hymns as part of their day-to-day experience at school.

‘The current law, which forces young children to partake in religious acts of worship unless their parents opt them out, is morally wrong and ignores the rights of children to have a rounded and broad education free from direct religious influence.

‘Instead, the school system should be fostering a culture where students are encouraged to make decisions for themselves about want they want to participate in and this should be done through inclusive assemblies which offer spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development that is equally inclusive of all students.

‘We welcome calls by this coalition of leading academics to end collective worship in schools and we also are calling for faith schools to be abolished in the UK.

‘If we are to move to a more united and less segregated future, we need a genuinely inclusive school system where all pupils, regardless of their backgrounds and beliefs, are educated together and not separately according to the religious character of the school.

‘We also support moves to reform religious education in schools so that children learn about religions and about humanism in a critical, objective, and pluralistic way, and not in a way that allows schools to encourage particular religious beliefs upon children as part of the curriculum.’

NOTES:

For further comment or information, please contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at richy@humanists.uk or on 020 3675 0959.

Read the pamphlet: https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/Impact25_web.pdf

For more information about Humanists UK campaigning on faith schools, visit

https://humanists.uk/campaigns/schools-and-education/faith-schools/

For more information about Humanists UK campaigning on collective worship, visit https://humanists.uk/campaigns/schools-and-education/collective-worship/

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.