More faith schools on the way, says Minister

The Government intends to create many more “faith schools”, the education Minister Jim Knight has announced. In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Knight said the majority of secondary schools would become self-governing. “I’d see more foundation schools or trust schools, National Challenge trusts, academies and, obviously, faith schools,” he said. “And that diversity and choice will be there – and I think will dominate.”

This is thought to be an effort to outflank the Tories who have already announced a huge privatisation programme for schools if they are elected.

Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, said: “I think the most irritating thing about Mr Knight’s comments is the gratuitous ‘obviously’ as in ‘obviously, faith schools.’ Why obviously? Every independent opinion poll taken on the topic shows that parents are deeply concerned about the proliferation of these religious schools. And yes, they flock to them – only because they know that if they can get past the clerical gatekeepers, their children will have a privileged education where the under-achieving and anti-social elements have been subtly screened out.”

Mr Sanderson said that more faith schools would reduce parental choice. In some parts of the country religious schools dominate the education system and there is no escape from them.

And in some parts of the country it is already clear that religious schools will soon be in the majority. This letter was published in the Bolton News last week:

It is intended to register the proposed Breightmet Academy as having a religious character. This will allow the governors to teach RE according to their syllabus and to appoint the principal and replacement staff, including some support staff, according to their faith.

Nationally, faith schools make up about 30 per cent of all maintained schools. However, in Bolton in 2007, they made up 46 per cent of all maintained schools. That is 50 per cent above the national average. Why is this? Perhaps the Director of Children’s Services could answer?

The proposed Breightmet Academy will replace two community schools with a further faith school. This will increase the number of faith schools and reduce parental choice, despite a November 2007 poll in The Bolton News that found 82 per cent of respondents were against any increase in faith schools.

Again, perhaps the Director of Children’s Services could explain why the council is apparently ignoring the wishes of Bolton residents? Finally, how many other potential sponsors were considered for the Breightmet Academy and why were they rejected?

17 October 2008