Author: Alastair Lichten
NI education conference shows cause for secularist hope
Posted: Wed, 25 May 2022 by Alastair Lichten
The National Secular Society recently held an online conference on inclusive education in Northern Ireland. Here, Alastair Lichten shares the videos from the conference and thoughts on the speakers' key messages. Read More »
CofE plans to increase influence in post-16 education smack of hubris
Posted: Thu, 07 Apr 2022 by Alastair Lichten
The Church of England's emerging plans to expand their role in sixth form and further education colleges, accompanied by empire building and evangelism, may undermine the secularity and inclusivity of this sector, argues Alastair Lichten. Read More »
A government blueprint for more religious control of schools?
Posted: Wed, 30 Mar 2022 by Alastair Lichten
The government's new proposals for education reform in England could see increased discrimination, and most non-faith schools placed in faith-based academy trusts. Alastair Lichten explores the threat to secular education posed by the 'Opportunity for all' white paper. Read More »
Religious selection is only part of the problem with faith schools
Posted: Thu, 20 Jan 2022 by Alastair Lichten
Ending religious discrimination in faith school admissions is an important first step – but it will not undo all the harms caused by faith schools, says Alastair Lichten. Read More »
Remove religious gatekeepers from school admissions
Posted: Tue, 04 Jan 2022 by Alastair Lichten
Faith-based selection forces families' religiosity to be assessed, compels conformity, and undermines everyone's freedom of belief, says Alastair Lichten. Read More »
Why is the Catholic church allowed to hinder secondary school choice?
Posted: Thu, 21 Oct 2021 by Alastair Lichten
A case in Leicestershire shows the mess faith groups make of admissions and why secular accountability is necessary, argues Alastair Lichten. Read More »
Locked in and locked out: how faith schools restrict families’ choices
Posted: Wed, 25 Aug 2021 by Alastair Lichten
State funding of faith schools means many families are left without suitable schools. The narrative that faith schools are justified on the grounds of choice should be confronted, says Alastair Lichten. Read More »
Will the government protect the ethos of secular schools?
Posted: Tue, 13 Jul 2021 by Alastair Lichten
The Department for Education's protections for the secular community ethos of non-faith academies are inadequate. This enables a consolidation of religious control and undermines accountability, argues Alastair Lichten. Read More »
Schools must be supported against religious bullies
Posted: Wed, 07 Jul 2021 by Alastair Lichten
Comments from Ofsted's chief inspector highlight the need to help schools resist efforts to shut down teaching which reactionary religious groups deem controversial, says Alastair Lichten. Read More »
Requires improvement: Ofsted review shows need for a major rethink on RE
Posted: Wed, 02 Jun 2021 by Alastair Lichten
A review has highlighted significant problems with the way RE is taught. Alastair Lichten argues that it shows the need to ask fundamental questions about the purpose of education about religion. Read More »
Is the C of E ashamed of discrimination in school admissions?
Posted: Fri, 28 May 2021 by Alastair Lichten
Research suggests the Church of England downplays the extent of religious discrimination in admissions to the schools it runs. Its embarrassment shows the need to end this practice, says Alastair Lichten. Read More »
Mandated worship can never be inclusive
Posted: Wed, 19 May 2021 by Alastair Lichten
Church of England guidance which aims to promote an 'inclusive' form of collective worship in schools misses the point and highlights the need to stop imposing religion on children, says Alastair Lichten. Read More »
We must find the political will to end discriminatory school admissions
Posted: Mon, 12 Apr 2021 by Alastair Lichten
As families in England prepare to find out which primary schools their children will attend, Alastair Lichten says ending faith-based discrimination would make the admissions system fairer and simpler. Read More »
Ending compulsory worship in schools should be next on the agenda for Wales
Posted: Tue, 16 Mar 2021 by Alastair Lichten
Following major curriculum reforms in Wales, Alastair Lichten argues that the Senedd should now turn its attention to ending the collective worship requirement in schools. Read More »
NI’s education review is a golden chance to take a stand for inclusion
Posted: Thu, 25 Feb 2021 by Alastair Lichten
Alastair Lichten says a review of education provision in Northern Ireland must be willing to challenge entrenched religious interests to deliver on ambitions for a more efficient and inclusive system. Read More »
Christian nationalism is a key part of Trump’s legacy
Posted: Thu, 21 Jan 2021 by Alastair Lichten
As the US presidency changes hands, Alastair Lichten argues that understanding Christian nationalism is essential to understanding Donald Trump's legacy and its consequences for the world. Read More »
The requirement to hold collective worship in schools is crumbling and not worth saving
Posted: Thu, 05 Dec 2019 by Alastair Lichten
After two parents forced a school trust to provide an alternative to religious assemblies for their children, Alastair Lichten says the law which requires schools to hold acts of worship needs to change. Read More »
This isn’t the time to end the right to withdraw from RE in Wales
Posted: Thu, 14 Nov 2019 by Alastair Lichten
The Welsh government is considering removing the parental right to withdraw from religious education. Alastair Lichten argues that despite potential benefits, reforms don't go far enough to justify ending this longstanding right. Read More »
Education in NI shouldn’t be a tug of war between religious interests
Posted: Fri, 25 Oct 2019 by Alastair Lichten
A report has called into question religious control over the curriculum and ethos of Northern Irish schools. Alastair Lichten says it should prompt a re-evaluation of the segregated, inefficient system which exists now. Read More »
Anti-RSE campaigns: guidance is welcome, but schools need more support
Posted: Tue, 15 Oct 2019 by Alastair Lichten
The government has published new guidance for schools facing disruption from religious groups who oppose LGBT-inclusive education. Alastair Lichten welcomes the gesture but says the substance doesn't go far enough. Read More »
The government must respond to pressure to end compulsory school worship
Posted: Mon, 05 Aug 2019 by Alastair Lichten
As opposition to compulsory worship gathers and its defenders grow increasingly out of touch, Alastair Lichten says ministers should reconsider the law and its implementation. Read More »
The new education secretary must resist the reactionary campaign against RSE
Posted: Thu, 25 Jul 2019 by Alastair Lichten
The campaign against inclusive relationships and sex education risks spreading from the school gates to sympathetic faith school authorities. Alastair Lichten argues the government must act now to save the subject. Read More »
New guidance on independent schools: analysis of hard-line opposition and DfE concessions
Posted: Fri, 03 May 2019 by Alastair Lichten
The government has published new guidance on independent schools, amid systemic failings by independent faith schools. Alastair Lichten looks at what's changed and how the DfE has handled religious groups' demands. Read More »
Integrated communities require inclusive, secular schools
Posted: Tue, 12 Feb 2019 by Alastair Lichten
A government plan on integration sets out a positive vision on education - but faith schools remain the elephant in the room. Alastair Lichten asks if ministers' actions will match their rhetoric. Read More »
Weaponised unreasonableness: father claims school standards violate his rights
Posted: Mon, 07 Jan 2019 by Alastair Lichten
After a father threatens the government with legal action over a requirement to teach about LGBT people in independent schools, Alastair Lichten argues the focus should remain on protecting pupils' rights. Read More »
