Is end of 50 per cent

It is essential that the government remove the 50 per cent cap on faith schools.

The cap was introduced with the aim of supporting inclusivity and tolerance and to try to combat rising fundamentalism, and in this objective it has failed.

Within our community a number of free faith schools have been established, and these are excellent schools with a genuine desire to be inclusive.

However, looking more broadly across the faith communities, it becomes apparent that the intention of creating a school model with a broad intake has not been achieved. For example, 91 per cent of children attending the Hindu free schools are of Asian ethnic origin.

Indeed, the evidence suggests that the rule does not achieve inclusivity, but has had the unintended outcome of preventing some high-performing faith schools from expanding or establishing new schools.

There are those who are determined to undermine the validity of faith schools, which make up around a third of the state schools and, as the Prime Minister highlighted, are among the most successful schools in this country.

The 50 per cent rule effectively prohibits religious people attending faith schools due to their religious beliefs. It removes the right of parents to bring up their children according to their wishes, saying, in effect, “there are enough religious children in this school”. And it forces such a school to admit in their place children who do not necessarily subscribe to the faith-based values, and would be just as happy at another school nearby.

Interestingly, faith schools often have a more diverse intake than mainstream schools, with students travelling from further afield and forming a wider socio-economic spread, which itself is of great value in breaking down barriers.

The proposed legislation upholds the rights of parents and requires free schools to promote community cohesion through initiatives such as twinning arrangements with other schools not of their faith.

Our community’s schools are already founded on these principles, instilling a pride in our religion and imbuing a respect for others and a responsibility to protect the values of our country.

There is perhaps no stronger argument to support faith schools than the achievement of our own community’s schools. Year on year they are among the top performers in the country, and perhaps more importantly, have alumni who become leaders of our community and play a valued role in wider society. Rabbi Meyer is executive director of the Partnerships for Jewish Schools