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MULTI-FAITH: Calls welcomed.
MULTI-FAITH: Calls welcomed.
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Hands up for the multi-faith schools

David Ottewell
15/ 3/2006

RELIGIOUS leaders across the region have backed calls for faith schools to accept a proportion of pupils with different beliefs.

The moves follow calls by the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, who has pointed to faith schools as a force for social good that teach tolerance and respect.

Currently faith schools - which make up one in three schools and receive around 85 per cent of their funds from the taxpayer - can set their own admissions policies.

Although they cannot refuse to admit those of other or no faiths if there are spare places, over-subscribed schools can now insist on proof of baptism or regular attendance at a place of worship.

Dialogue

Now leading religious figures have backed the Archbishop of Canterbury in calling for a new dialogue on how and when children of different faiths should be integrated in schools.

Jan Ainsworth, director of education for the Manchester Diocese of the Church of England, says that although most successful C of E schools already admit children of different faiths, she would like to "start a discussion" with other groups about promoting more open access across religions.

She said: "We want to build strong relationships across the faiths and need to make sure children from different backgrounds get to know each other.

Religion

"Parents from other faiths tend to like Christian schools because religion and faith are woven into the school. No one is trying to convince others to change their faith. Our view is that there should be a place for committed Christians but also for those of other faiths."

Also backing calls for youngsters of different faiths to learn side by side, is Khalid Anis, of the Islamic Society. He said: "I don't think it would be a bad idea at all if faith schools accepted pupils of other religions, perhaps up to a certain percentage.

"A lot of people bandy about the idea that faith schools are responsible for problems, but that is plainly ridiculous. If you look at the riots a few years ago in places like Oldham, if anything those people from faith schools would be the first to uphold the values of citizenship."

And Louis Rapaport, president of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, said: "In general as a community we are in favour of faith schools. That doesn't mean we don't see great advantages in integration.

"I personally would be in favour or bringing people together at secondary age. All my grandchildren have gone into the state system at secondary age, but fully confident in their Jewish faith."

'Tolerance'

Education Secretary Ruth Kelly, who is MP for Bolton West, has praised faith schools for their "explicit commitment to promoting inclusion and tolerance".

Faith schools in Manchester have achieved excellent results. The King David School, a Jewish school in Crumpsall, is the best performing state secondary in Manchester, with 98 per cent of students getting five or more GCSEs at grade C or above.

And Trinity CE High School is second (61 per cent), with the Barlow Roman Catholic High School not far behind.

There are currently no state-funded Muslim schools, although there are Islamic schools in the independent sector.

WHAT do you think of the concept of faith schools? Have your say.


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Most recent 2 of 29 user comments

   I went to a multicultral and multireligoin primary school, then a Islamic high school and finally a Catholic college. Both of the faith school/college had excellent education standards. If my parents hadn't taken me to a faith and single sex high school I dont think I would have achieved such excellent grades. Faith schools teach both the religion and the standard curriculum just like other schools. However, the difference is that the teachers feel more devoted to the students and the students have respect for their teachers unlike state schools. I felt as comfortable in the Catholic surroundings as I had done in my faith school. Therefore I am totally for single sex, faith, independant and private schools(you don't have to be rich or anything). Thats if you want the best for your child.
M Farah, Manchester
9/01/2007 at 02:43

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   Why do we need faith schools anyway. Isnt this just another case of brainwashing the next generation. The bottom line is faith is not proof. I know what is right and what is wrong, so why should someone inferior to me try to persuade me that I am not correct?
Colin W, Stockholm
5/04/2006 at 10:56

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