Faith Schools

Until recently the separation of pupils in Britain according to religion was felt to be compatible with a comprehensive education. That consensus no longer holds and there is a strong and positive lobby either to abandon "faith schools" within the state system altogether or to dilute their membership by ensuring they include pupils from other faiths, or no faith at all. This book is an accessible overview of the debates, issues and practicalities of faith-based education in the UK. It sets out the challenges and opportunities of different approaches to faith schools and addresses the choices faced by parents in our plural and multicultural communities, as well as the education investment and development currently undertaken by faith schools. Finally, the case is presented for and against faith schools with a summary chapter attempting to provide a way forward for the debate. "Faith Schools" addresses the current concerns, questions and interest surrounding the legitimacy, support and intended expansion of faith schools in the UK. It sets out the historical and legal background of the establishment of such schools within the framework of state comprehensive educational provision and discusses the reasons why it is difficult to jettison these at present.