Faith Schools

October 2016

I am open minded about relaxing restrictions on  faith schools, but only if this is not to the detriment of other schools or other pre-existing policy aims, such as fairer funding.

As the proposals are in a very early stage it is right that MPs and the Government take input from the public. I am certainly receiving a wide variety of views on the subject. The Government has published a consultation that asks for views on a range of proposals aimed at creating an education system that extends opportunity for everyone. If you would like to make your views known, you can do so online before 12 December by visiting https://consult.education.gov.uk/school-frameworks/schools-that-work-for-everyone. The consultation is seeking views on creating a more diverse school system, including the role that selection can play in opening up excellent places to more children, particularly the disadvantaged.

Faith schools have a strong record of high pupil attainment and are often very popular with parents. Current rules, however, stop more good faith schools from opening, without succeeding in promoting integration. The proposals would see the current cap on the number of pupils who can be admitted on the basis of faith when the school is oversubscribed removed, as the cap is preventing new Catholic schools opening, and has little impact on many Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu schools because they tend not to appeal to parents of other faiths.

This rule will be replaced with more effective requirements to ensure faith schools are properly inclusive, and allow more good schools to open. I can assure you that the Government will ensure that safeguards are in place to promote diversity and inclusivity in faith schools, so that pupils of all faiths and none are able to play a full part in the life of the school.