Act now: Faith school expansion plans still underway

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To whom it may concern, 
<div>I am writing to respond to the consultation on faith school designation reforms, and I am doing so as an individual.  </div>
Regarding question 10:
<ul>
<li>'Do you support the proposal to remove the 50% faith admissions cap for new and existing free schools?’  </li>
</ul>
I would like my response to be recorded as ‘strongly disagree’.
<div>I wish to make my views clear on this by responding specifically to question 11: </div>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The faith admissions cap is proven to improve ethnic integration: analysis of the cap in 2016 found that ethnic integration improved significantly in schools with a cap on admissions compared to those that had no cap. The table you provide as supposedly showing otherwise is flawed because it doesn’t compare 50% selective faith schools to 100% selective faith schools.
</li>
<li>The religious rationale for scrapping the cap is weak: the Catholic Church has long said that opening free schools subject to the cap would break canon law. This simply isn’t true. Catholic schools in Scotland and Ireland operate without any admissions discrimination – as do most Catholic private schools in England. </li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Removing the faith cap will affect thousands of school places: removing the cap would put further pressure on local authorities as they carry out their duties to place children in suitable education, and force parents and guardians of local children who are of no or the ‘wrong’ religion to look further afield for their child’s schooling.
</li>
<li>Schools should be more, not less inclusive: studies from Sutton Trust and Education Policy Institute, as well as reports from the Office of Schools Adjudicator, show that, in terms of disadvantaged children, children in care, and those with additional learning needs, faith schools are less inclusive than schools without a religious character. Research also suggests that limited opportunity to mix with those from differing backgrounds robs individuals of the meaningful interactions necessary to build sustainable inter-communal relationships. Nothing can replace living and learning alongside those holding other beliefs and worldviews all day, every day.</li>
</ul>
Regarding question 14:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
‘Do you agree with the proposal that special academies should be permitted to have a religious designation?’
</li>
</ul>
I would like my response to be recorded as ‘strongly disagree’.
I wish to make my views clear on this by responding specifically to question 15:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Biased and faith-based education: while such schools won’t be able to discriminate in their admissions they will in their collective worship, religious education, and relationships and sex education. All state-funded schools should be open to all, and free from discrimination, but it seems particularly important that this is true for schools for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Some pupils may be less able to form their own views on religion or belief, so a biased education would deny them their freedoms. It is especially important that unbiased and balanced relationships and sex education teaching on, for example, abortion and contraception, is provided in these settings.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Employment discrimination and impact on teaching provision: a faith-designated special educational needs school will be able to discriminate against existing and prospective staff on the grounds of religion. Good candidates with experience in working with SEND children and young people could be overlooked simply because they are of the ‘wrong’ or no religion. This could have a negative impact on these young people who deserve the best possible education and teacher, not teachers chosen because of their faith.
</li>
</ul>

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Act now: Faith school expansion plans still underway

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