NEW government rules on school admissions, due to be published in the autumn, are likely to confirm the right of church and other faith schools to set out a statement of their ethos and expect prospective parents to sign up to it. The provision is included in a consultation paper from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) currently out for discussion.
The move has been welcomed by Church of England and Roman Catholic education officials, who had feared that a clearly Christian ethos statement might be ruled out under the new arrangements. They believe the provision is essential if their schools are to remain distinctive.
The DCSF drafted the provision, it is understood, using feedback from the investigation ordered by the Secretary of State, Ed Balls, after the row over church-school admissions earlier this year. At that time, some heads of voluntary aided schools, and some diocesan education authorities, complained that the Secretary of State had publicly misinterpreted data gained from a snapshot survey of three local authorities.
Information from the wider investigation suggested that there was confusion over the term “practical support”, which is not intended to imply financial contributions. The Department’s proposed wording will define the position, it is hoped.
The Church of England’s head of school development, Canon David Whittington, said: “The proposal clarifies what parents can expect of our schools, and what schools can expect from parents. It fits fully within the present law.” By signing up to a school’s ethos, parents did not waive their right to withdraw children from religious education and collective worship, he said.
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