The Government is currently consulting on plans to allow new ‘faith’ schools to religiously discriminate against children for 100% of their places. The consultation ends on 12 December.
Make no mistake, if these plans go ahead our schools will be more segregated, our society more divided, and our children less prepared for life in an increasingly diverse country.
Since 2007, new ‘faith’ schools have only been allowed to select 50% of children on religious grounds. This 50% cap has been incredibly successful both in boosting integration and ensuring that families have access to their local schools.
The Government’s intention now risks reversing all of this progress, taking us further away from the fair, open and inclusive school system we all want to see, and denying children the opportunity to grow up in a society where everyone is a potential friend, no matter what their religious or non-religious background.
Please, respond to the Government’s consultation by 12 December and oppose this unthinkable extension of religious segregation in schools.
A template consultation response is provided below, which will be submitted automatically on your behalf. You can also view the consultation on the Government’s website.
We strongly encourage you to use this response as a template only. The more customised responses are, the more notice that will be taken of them. For example, you can add details of any relevant personal experiences.
Here are some examples to help: