Tell Labour: Think again on faith schools

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer recently stated he "wouldn't tinker" with how faith schools are run, and that Labour would be "even more supportive of faith schools" than the current government.

Faith schools are inherently divisive and disadvantage children from minority communities and lower income families.

Join us in calling on Labour to think again on faith schools. Write to your Labour MP using the letter below.

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Dear {{name}},

The Labour Party has committed to “breaking down the barriers to opportunity” in education. But Sir Keir Starmer recently stated he “wouldn’t tinker” with how faith schools are run, and that Labour would be “even more supportive of faith schools” than the current government.

I am dismayed and bewildered by these statements. Faith schools are inherently divisive and disadvantage children from minority communities and lower income families.

I therefore urge you to speak out against your party leader’s apparent support for faith schools, and to work towards a state education system that is truly inclusive, fair and provides genuinely equal opportunities for children of all backgrounds.

The most high-profile harm caused by faith schools is that of religious discrimination in admissions, which locks so many families out of their local taxpayer funded schools and entrenches division.

The government does not publish information on the number of schools which apply faith-based selection. However, it has been estimated that 16% of mainstream state school places are subject to religious selection, which is around 1.2 million places in total. This is greater than the number of places at private, single-sex and grammar schools, or places that select by skill or aptitude, combined.

This leaves many children and families subject to faith-based discrimination and without access to their most suitable local state school. It is well documented that faith-based selection puts deprived families at a disadvantage, as middle class families are better placed to fake religiosity to ‘jump the queue’ for their local CofE school. What's more, recent research has found CofE and Catholic schools admit fewer pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Faith schools are often justified in terms of choice. But in many areas, families have little practical choice but a faith school, even if it conflicts with their beliefs. The long-term decline in Christian affiliation coupled with increasing religious diversity and irreligiosity means this situation will only worsen.

In many cases schools have hidden behind their faith ethos to promote intolerance, including by stigmatising children and families who are LGBT.

Earlier this year the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child urged the UK to "guarantee the right of all children to freedom of expression and to practise freely their religion or belief", including by "preventing the use of religion as a selection criterion for school admissions in England". A Labour government should prioritise children’s rights by urgently addressing issues identified by the CRC.

Labour’s policy message is “Stronger Together”. But segregating pupils according to religion means children miss out on the valuable experience of living and learning from individuals with diverse perspectives and life experiences. Exposure to diversity is crucial for personal growth, critical thinking, and the development of a well-rounded worldview. It is deeply misguided to support the separation of children along religious and ethnic lines.

Supporting faith schools serves religious interests, not those of children. Current arrangements conflict with human rights, segregate communities, and facilitate discrimination. Sir Keir’s commitment not to “tinker” with how faith schools are run appears to insulate faith schools from necessary reforms to address this. I urge Labour to think again.

Yours sincerely,

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Tell Labour: Think again on faith schools

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