I think that particularly in London faith schools, mean the effective separation of children from different racial backgrounds. I think that even without faith schools this would be a problem because of private schools and people of different races moving to different areas of the city. However I certainly don’t think that faith schools help!

While ultimately I don’t think that religion has a place in school I think that a good start would be if faith schools were not to be able to discriminate on the basis of religious background when selecting pupils. Non religious pupils should also be able to opt out of attending religious events.

Otherwise the system just seems unfair. In a lot of London Boroughs all or virtually all of the decent state schools are Christian. This means that children that are not Christians are condemmed to attend the very worst schools if their parents have not got enough money to send them to private schools.

I think we can both agree that there is indeed a great deal of hypocrisy (despite the good intentions) in those who attend church to secure little jonnie a place. I figure it’s a shame they feel they have to do that to get their children a good education; I expect you may agree, but also feel it’s a considerable waste of a seats when you’re the one stuck at the back if they’re there for purely cynical reasons. But they figure what’s the harm in a few early starts on a Sunday morning if it means better results to set little jonnie for life?

Certainly the reason for this effort by parents is that ‘faith schools’ are perceived as being better. Indeed they are, based on result league tables. But it’s not, in my view, because the children are being taught “The Word of God” with state money, it’s that the schools are being selective. For example, these faith schools take less of a share of children from a deprived background than other schools. Plus, as above, pushy parents are far more likely to be involved and active in their childrens education - a good thing by any measure, but a shame to be directed in such a way.

Keep skimming the milk, and you’ll end up with the cream (There’s a much better metaphor, but it alludes me right now). A shame, given that’s exactly what the comprehensive system was designed to overcome. Didn’t do me any harm, now, did it?

Stop laughing at the back there!

FWIW, a comprehensive argument against state funded faith schools can be found here.

http://www.humanism.org.uk/site/cms/contentViewArticle.asp?article=1268

But above all, I just feel it’s a shame that in a time of increasing intolerance, the government is actively closing children off from a broader and more inclusive education that would be result from a more secular education. If at school your best friends cross the belief spectrum from jewish, christian, muslim, humanist or simply agnostic backgrounds, surely the kids will be better positioned to build a future more tolerant and open society than if they’re kept in distinct schools for distinct faiths, and not getting the opportunity to meet each other?