Mix of faiths in class ‘vital’

PLANS by Theresa May to remove the cap limiting religious selection in state schools will create an “educational apartheid”, campaigners warn.

The Prime Minister has pushed to

ditch rules brought in under Labour saying only half of places in new faith academy schools can be reserved for one faith.

But a poll by the Accord Coalition, which aims to reduce religious barriers, shows she is opposed by four out of five voters.

The group say the cap helps community cohesion because schools have a mix of different religious backgrounds. They fear dropping it could create “religious ghettos” and a boom in ethnic segregation.

The Catholic church lobbied strongly for its removal, saying the cap stopped it opening new schools. Mrs May announced plans last September to do away with the limit. Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, chairman of the Accord Coalition, said: “As someone who is in favour of faith but against social segregation, I find this appalling.

“Scrapping the cap sends a signal it is okay for schools to become cultural silos.”