Evidence that church schools are routinely discriminating against Christians as well as those of other faiths and no faiths came to light today, with the news that a girl has been turned down for a place at a Wrexham faith school.
The simplistic mentality that presumes you can only be ‘for’ or ‘against’ things in their undifferentiated totality makes developing a rather more credible reform agenda on faith schools a tough proposition – but all the more necessary.
Church of England and other faith school providers are facing a challenge of failing to treat the concerns of parents, public and fellow-believers with seriousness and respect.
School children in a Northern Ireland school which was set up to break down barriers between Protestant and Catholic children are to become refugees for a day as they learn about life as asylum-seekers.
In the face of growing pressure for inclusive schooling in Ireland and outrage over the latest child abuse scandals involving Catholic orders, bishops in Ireland are defiantly seeking to maintain their grip on schooling in the country.
Another classic case of people within the churches resorting to personal attacks rather than dealing with the issues around church schools being raised by other religious people.
Inclusive schools coalition Accord has welcomed the launch of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation's new education project, but questioned whether schools that discriminate in their admissions can ever live up to its principles.
A new poll has found that 57% of the public think that "state funded schools that select students by their religion undermine community cohesion", and large majorities want top see a change of policy on admissions, employment and discrimination