FAITH IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM?
(10th September 2007)

Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh faith school backers today, for the first time, unveiled a joint declaration and shared vision of schools with a religious character in 21st century England. The 'Faith in the System' document also aims to dispel some of the common myths and misunderstanding around schools with a religious character and seeks to promote greater respect of the differences between different faiths and different types of schools.

Speaking at the launch event at the British Library, Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls said: "For hundreds of years faith groups have had a long and noble tradition at the heart of our education system - from medieval times, through the Reformation, to the present day. Today, around one third of the total schools have a religious character.

"I fully recognise that faith schools are popular with many parents and make a valuable contribution to the way in which this country educates its children.

Dr Indarjit Singh, Director of the Network of Sikh Organisations, said: "We are delighted to welcome this important document emphasising the commitment of faith-based schools and government to work together to promote tolerance and understanding. Its message echoes Guru Nanak's teaching that our different religions are different paths to an understanding of God, and that all should be respected. The Gurus showed this respect by adding verses of Hindu and Muslim saints in our holy scriptures the Guru Granth Sahib. This respect for other faiths also permeates the curriculum and ethos of the first voluntary aided primary and secondary Sikh schools in Hayes. Respect is the binding force for true community cohesion and on behalf of all Sikhs we welcome this initiative."

Nitesh Gor, Director of I-Foundation, said: "The Hindu community is the latest entrant to state-funded faith education; as such, we have much to learn from our fellow faith education providers. Collaboration amongst the different faiths towards the Faith in the System declaration provides a firm foundation upon which new entrants like us can ensure best practise. We feel honoured to have been able to contribute to this document, and believe that this initiative indicates a bright future for faith schools in a multi-cultural, multi-faith society - and not least for the very first Hindu state-aided faith school to be launched in 2008."

Schools with a religious character play an integral part in the publicly-funded school system and in society.

* Around a third of all maintained schools have a religious character, approximately 6,850 schools from a total of nearly 21,000. Around 600 are secondary schools with the remainder being primary schools. The great majority are Church of England and Roman Catholic.

* The remainder comprise of 37 Jewish schools; seven Muslim schools; two Sikh schools; one Greek Orthodox and one Seventh Day Adventist school.

* A further 13 faith schools have been approved to open over the next two years. They include one Jewish, three Muslim and one Sikh, two Church of England and two Church of England / Methodist.

* Of the 83 Academies now open, 27 have a faith designation - 16 are non-denominational Christian, eight Church of England, two Catholic and one Anglican/Roman Catholic.

* All maintained schools and Academies, including those with a religious character, must act in accordance with the Admissions Code, a system where all children, regardless of their background, have a fair opportunity of gaining a place at the school they want to attend. The law rules out interviewing and prevents the new introduction of selection by ability. Only when a faith school is oversubscribed can it start to give priority to pupils who practice their faith or denomination.

* Many faith schools choose to give some of their places to children of no faith or other faiths. The Church of England has announced that at least 25 per cent of places in their new schools will be available as community places.

* All future faith Academies, unless directly replacing a faith school, will give priority to at least 50 per cent of places to pupils from other faiths or no faith.

* All maintained schools, including those with a religious character, must teach the National Curriculum.

* Faith schools are often highly diverse. At secondary schools, 21 per cent of children in faith schools have a minority ethnic background compared to 17 per cent at schools without a religious character. At primary schools, 18 per cent of children in faith schools have a minority ethnic background compared to 24 per cent at primary schools without a religious character.

* All schools now have a duty to promote community cohesion.

MULTI-FAITH SCHOOLS WOULD BE BETTER SAYS HCUK

The Hindu Council UK (HCUK) has been consulted throughout the process and also welcomed the document as it highlights the important role faith schools play in fostering understanding between religions. It also outlines the duty of all schools to encourage pupils to respect their own and other faiths and beliefs in ways that promote tolerance and harmony, important issues raised by HCUK throughout the consultation process.

However, Anil Bhanot, General Secretary of the HCUK says: "We believe schools with a multi-faith ethos would be a more balanced and cohesive way of teaching children about faith. While we endorse this document, we remain committed to our belief that the best future for our children, their education, and our ability to live together in harmony in this country lies with multi-faith rather than single faith schools."

Jay Lakhani, HCUK's Director for Education, adds: "Pluralism in faith education for our children is the only long term solution to the prejudices that plague Britain and the wider world at large. Unless all faiths are taught from the perspective that spirituality is not the monopoly of any one religion and that makind can progress spiritually in many different (even non-religious) ways, schools run the risk of creating a polarising rather than a uniting effect in our society."