Academy Schools
So the legislation to enable more state funded Academy schools has been passed today (26th July). Academy schools opt out of local government controls, so instead of being open to all, far more restrictive admissions policies can be devised. This encourages separation between those of various religious beliefs and those with none. Should our children not all be taught together for the sake of community cohesion?
In the General Election hustings I argued that we should be reducing not increasing religious control of our state schools. Last night Caroline Lucas MP also argued in the house of commons debate that ‘there will be no requirement on academies to teach evolution, and the Government do not even appear to have plans to prevent the teaching of creationism in academies.’
Our academic system needs to be based on science and facts. Morals and ethics quite rightly have a place in our schools to enable us to work and live together in harmony but we must resist the creeping rise in faith schools. I vigorously defend the freedom to religious belief without persecution but the right place for teaching these matters is in our mosques and churches.