Category - church schools

Educational impact of church schools unclear, says Christian report

staff writers — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:34:07 +0000

A new report published by organisations supportive of church schools has admitted that there is presently little evidence that the ethos they create has much educational benefit.

New schools award for religious inclusion and equality

Press Office — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:17:08 +0100

A prestigious new prize is being offered that recognises the achievements of primary and secondary schools which celebrate diversity of religious and non-religious beliefs.

Dossier of independent evidence on faith schools

staff writers — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:45:07 +0100

This document has been produced by the Accord Coalition, of which Ekklesia is a founder member, to help researchers, journalists, campaigners and members of the public to find information about some of the policy implications of state funded faith schools and their practices. The aim is to bring together and summarise high quality research from reliable sources, pointing in particular to the shortcomings of faith schools and where changes need to made, particularly in the area of admissions and employment. With the exception of the 2009 poll commissioned by Accord from YouGov—itself a respected member of the British Polling Council—all evidence in the report is from sources independent of Accord and its members. Some sources cited however are religious, such as agency Tearfund, and other institutions that work with churches such as the Runnymede Trust. The evidence is also recent - all of it dates from 2001 or later and the majority was produced in the last two years. Research and opinion polls have been organised in reverse chronological order below, followed by relevant parliamentary questions and statistics from the DCSF.

Topics covered include:

• The impact of religious admissions on social segregation (sometimes called “cream skimming” or social selection)
• Faith schools and school standards / attainment
• Faith schools and community cohesion
• The number of new faith schools
• Faith schools and homophobia
• Faith schools and recruitment
• The number of schools of different types, and their denominations

Although the scope of evidence surveyed here is wide and cannot easily be summarised, it repeatedly gives cause for concern about the way that many faith schools operate, and the consequences of this for wider society. The polls and surveys in the report demonstrate that many members of the public have similar concerns as Accord, which is convinced that only legislative change will bring about an education system free from religious discrimination.

staff writers

One case of discrimination against Christians that the usual suspects won’t take up

Jonathan Bartley — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:00:04 +0100

Ashton Padley wants to get into her local school. But she can’t. The reason? She is the wrong type of Christian (http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/9908).

School discriminates against evangelical Christian family

staff writers — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:25:25 +0100

Evidence that church schools are routinely discriminating against Christians as well as those of other faiths and no faiths came to light today, with the news that a girl has been turned down for a place at a Wrexham faith school.

Reporting fairly on faith schools reform

Simon Barrow — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:41:19 +0100

The simplistic mentality that presumes you can only be ‘for’ or ‘against’ things in their undifferentiated totality makes developing a rather more credible reform agenda on faith schools a tough proposition – but all the more necessary.

Proper faith schools discussion needed

Press Office — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:32:21 +0100

Commenting on the Church of England Board of Education head's defence of discrimination in faith schools policy, Simon Barrow, co-director of the religion and society think-tank Ekklesia, said.:

Church urged to listen not 'bully' over faith schools reform

staff writers — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:16:28 +0100

Church of England and other faith school providers are facing a challenge of failing to treat the concerns of parents, public and fellow-believers with seriousness and respect.

Northern Ireland school children become refugees

staff writers — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:03:53 +0100

School children in a Northern Ireland school which was set up to break down barriers between Protestant and Catholic children are to become refugees for a day as they learn about life as asylum-seekers.

Irish Catholic bishops want to retain their grip on schooling

staff writers — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:52:35 +0100

In the face of growing pressure for inclusive schooling in Ireland and outrage over the latest child abuse scandals involving Catholic orders, bishops in Ireland are defiantly seeking to maintain their grip on schooling in the country.