No faith in faith schools

Christian schools in the UK are generally over-subscribed and known for excellent standards of education. However, a new poll by the National Secular Society (NSS) appears to show that British people don’t want religious affiliation to be part of the selection criteria for school admissions, and are not positive about religious school assemblies and RE classes.

At present, the Department for Education is keeping the 50 per cent faith cap on new free schools – which means they can only select half of their intake on the basis of faith. It is however, making funding available to build new voluntary aided schools which can select all of their pupils based on their religion.

The National Secular Society is using the survey to argue for an end to selection for faith schools and less religious influence in all schools.

Such a survey has statistical limitations so we need not jump to conclusions. Nonetheless, it should concern us that a significant number of people are questioning whether religion, including Christianity, has a positive influence on children.

Perhaps the fear of extremist teaching which might lead to violence is part of the reason for a less positive view of religion. But along with that, I think it shows we are less inclined as a nation to think that Christian values are universally good.

We need to be aware of the increasingly low view many in our nation have about orthodox Christian faith and pray for this to change as people come to believe the gospel and understand for themselves the goodness of God.

However, we should also seek to influence decision makers, locally and nationally, about the value that Christians can bring to schools. There are many examples of good practice where, in assemblies and religious education classes, Christians present the teaching of the Bible and encourage children to critically evaluate this. We can also show the success of Christian schools and ask for evidence that religious schools and religious education cause harm to society. We can also point out the importance of children learning about how religion that has undoubtedly shaped most of the values of Western nations and our cultural history.

The supposed “neutrality” of secular education is a myth; it replaces religion with a humanistic ideology which is just another religion of sorts, having its own values and agenda.

As much as we are able in an increasingly hostile environment, we must argue for the goodness of Christian values as derived from the Bible and also seek to demonstrate the beauty of God’s ways by how we live our lives.

Graham Nicholls, Affinity Director