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This month's update isn't quite as packed as the last one. As always, a lot of our work is behind the
scenes – helping parents stand up for their rights when they've little choice but a faith school. In updates this month we have a typical story of children
refused school places due to discriminatory policies, and supporter Robert a primary school teacher shares his
testimonial about the threat faith schools pose to children's education.
Sharing your story can be a powerful way to support the campaign, and our
website has a variety of ways you can get involved.
At the No More Faith Schools campaign our focus is on state schools across the UK. We don't campaign against private faith schools, but do support efforts to
ensure children's rights are protected in the independent sector. This month the National Secular Society (who coordinate our campaign) reported on the first convictions for running an unregistered faith school,
independent faith schools still open after multiple
failures and ten more independent faith schools issued warnings by
DfE.
Also this month, I attended the launch of a new report form the Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain. It's core message: Let children make their own minds up about religion it makes the
strong ethical case that directive religious schools undermine children's freedom of belief. Education should value individual autonomy and give children the
tools they need to make informed decisions, including about religion.
One often overlooked harm of faith schools is their ability to teach RSE (relationships and sex education) through a faith ethos. Too often this is a euphemism
for discrimination, stigmatisation and misinformation. The government is currently consulting on new RSE guidance for English schools. The deadline for the
consultation is 7 November and more information and a link to take part are on the NSS website.
Thank you to everyone continuing to write to your MP, share the petition, spread the message on social media and
let us know about new faith school proposals. If you need resources or a No More Faith Schools speaker for a local group, please let us know.
Best wishes,
Alastair Lichten
NMFS campaign
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