Faith schools plan could lead to more pupil exclusions

FAITH schools will be able to exclude applications from children who do not follow their religion under plans being considered by the Government, it has been reported.

Senior officials are said to be considering repealing the 50 per cent rule, which says religious schools must make half their places open to children of differing faiths.

Will Tanner, Rishi Sunak’s deputy chief of staff, and James Nation, the deputy head of the No 10 policy unit, are said to be involved in the consultation, according to The Sunday Times.

It reported that Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, is also believed to be in favour of the repeal and is playing a significant role in the discussions.

Lord Cameron – who described himself as “evangelical” about his Christian faith – introduced the cap while prime minister in the coalition government with the Liberal Democrats.

Most types of faith schools in England qualify for exemptions from the Equality Act 2010, enabling them to prioritise children from families who share their faith if they are oversubscribed.

This can include requirements for parents and children to regularly attend a local place of worship or to provide evidence of baptism. As a result, some parents are unable to send their children to their local state school.

The United Nations previously called for a ban on religion being used to select pupils in England. A report concluded that “preventing the use of religion as a selection criterion for schools admissions in England” was a priority. It sparked a backlash from MPS, religious leaders and faith school providers, who claimed it would be “illiberal” to deny religious families the basic right of a religious education.

A Department for Education spokesman said: “The diversity of schools in this country is one of our education system’s most valuable assets, and faith schools play a pivotal role in that. As we continue to uphold diversity and quality education, we keep all policies under review to ensure that this country’s education system is world-leading.”