The UN has called for a ban on faith based admissions to schools in England. What do you think?

In early June a UN committee called for religion be banned as a criterion for school admissions in England. In a new report, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has urged schools to end religious selection for admissions in a bid to create a fair and inclusive education system. Around one third of state funded schools in England have a faith designation.

Two parents have opposing views on the issue. Dawn Savidge argues for the ban and a second mum argues against. She preferred to remain anonymous in case her school was identified.

FOR A BAN

Is now the time to evoke change? If you had asked me that question a year ago, my answer would be no. But now I would say that it is!

‘Pray or pay’. It seems these are the only two options to guarantee that your child is allocated a place at a ‘good’ school. Is it fair to mix up faith and school? Surely it obscures the gospel which is freely available to all. And how many people are put off by this system of enforced church attendance and miss out on exploring faith for themselves?

During my time as a Diocesan Children and Youth Advisor, I had the privilege to work beside many of these ‘assigned’ churches that were linked to their local high schools. There would be an influx of young families every September followed by a mass exodus of families whose children had now got a place in their chosen school and no longer ‘needed’ to attend church. This was mixed with a varying response from both the congregation and vicar. Some knew that the families were only there for one reason and so kept them at arm’s length, not fully engaging in fellowship with people who were ‘playing the system’. Some, me included, were filled with sadness that the church and its people weren’t doing more to include, excite and retain families who had initially walked through the door as an obligation.