1
Right to divide? Faith Schools and Community
Cohesion

• Rob Berkeley Deputy Director
• Runnymede Trust
• www.runnymedetrust.org

2
Faith schools

• 6900 Faith schools 1/3 of English schools
• Church of England 4642 schools
• Roman Catholic 2038 schools
• Other Christian 90 schools
• Jewish 37 schools
• Methodist 26 schools
• Muslim 8 schools
• Hindu 1 school

3
Faith schools debate - against

• Heightening segregation
• Unfair admissions
• Children's choice
• Religious indoctrination

4
Faith schools debate - for

• The common good
• Protecting religious identities
• Moral values and discipline
• Achievement
• Parental demand

5
Method of inquiry

• Expert consultations
• Local workshops
• School consultations
• Parent/Teacher survey

6
Recommendations

• End selection on the basis of faith
• Give children a greater say
• RE part of the National Curriculum
• Faith schools should serve the most disadvantaged
• Faith schools must value all pupils
• Faith schools part of the system

7
Right to divide? Faith Schools and Community
Cohesion

• Rob Berkeley Deputy Director
• Runnymede Trust
• www.runnymedetrust.org