We're concerned about the involvement of evangelical religious organisations in publicly funded schools, including through the provision of religious education, school worship and pastoral work.
External groups can make a valuable educational contribution to schools. With the right boundaries in place, staff and parents can be assured of no inappropriate proselytization.
What's the problem?
Our state schools are being targeted and exploited by evangelical groups as part of their missionary work. Schools are often acting with good intentions, but are too often naive and un-prepared to set appropriate boundaries. Meanwhile, parents are too often not informed of the visits of backgrounds of groups.
The legal obligation on all schools to provide a daily act of worship provides a foot in the door to organisations with evangelistic intentions. The ambiguity about the specific aims and purpose of religious education, and its low status in schools, provides an ideal environment for evangelical groups to exploit.
In autumn 2016 we asked a random selection of 150 non-faith and 150 faith schools about their external visitor policies as part of our research into evangelism in schools. Only 35% of schools had a policy or policies which covered the participation, invitation or behaviour of external groups/visitors/speakers. Only 16% of schools had a policy or policies concerning the partisan promotion of religious or political beliefs by external groups/visitors/speakers.
None of the policies examined explicitly requires parents to be informed of visitors in advance. Although some schools told us this was normal practice.
66% of policies examined did recommend thorough research of the visitor in advance, rising to 79% among community schools (most other variations between faith and non-faith schools were low). None of the policies clearly prohibited religious proselytization, nor required a teacher/staff member to introduce an external visitor and make clear that they are representing their religious views. Again some schools did say this was their practice. 57% of policies examined stipulated that a teacher or teaching assistant should always be present.
What are we doing?
Helping parents challenge inappropriate evangelism in schools is a major part of our casework. If you are experiencing these issues and would like advice, please get in touch.
- In 2013 we published a major report to highlight the problem of schools are being targeted and exploited by evangelical groups as part of their missionary work. We are working with schools to develop best practice for working with external visitors, and particularly religion and belief groups.
- We play a prominent role in the ongoing national debate over the role of religion in schools and regularly lobby MPs and decision makers to promote our vision for a secular and inclusive education system.
- We regularly provide support and advice for parents who are experiencing difficulties regarding evangelism in schools, from issues regarding admissions to problems with RE and collective worship. If you're having issues related to evangelism in schools and would like our support, please contact us.
What you can do:
Supporter comments
Evangelists need to stay in their lane. They can already exercise their freedom to indoctrinate young minds in church. Places of learning are for education and the encouragement of critical thinking.
Graham, from ROMFORD
By allowing evil evangelical abuses to force into the minds of children the idea that they must worship a particular supernatural being or be judged and possibly condemned after death should be punished.
Brian, from SUNDERLAND
Write to your MP
Ask your MP to support a code of practice so external groups can contribution to schools without evangelism or proselytization.
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We also have template letters to write to your Members of the Scottish or Welsh Parliaments or Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly.
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Parents, pupils, and teachers: need advice?
Do you have concerns about inappropriate evangelism in your school? Want to set appropriate boundaries? Our campaigns pages have plenty of information, but of you need more, please:
More information
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Read and share our campaign briefing on challenging inappropriate evangelism and proselytization by external groups in schools.
Dealing with inappropriate evangelism in schools
Advice for parents, schools, pupils and local authorities.
Evangelism In State Schools report (PDF, 493 Kb)
Read our 2013 report on the activities of evangelical organisations in state schools.
Anti-choice campaigners in schools
Are you concerned about anti-abortion misinformation/propaganda in schools?
Click here to find out more about our work for faith free sex education in schools.
For information on anti-abortion organisations in schools and their tactics, you may be interested in this report from the national young people's sexual health charity, Brook.
Operation Christmas Child: FAQ
Looking for advice challenging this evangelical scheme in your school, workplace or society?
While you're here
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