Schools 'are Under Attack From Religious Groups', Head Of Ofsted Warns

[naomi24]

One of the biggest threats to education in Britain is schools coming under attack from religious groups wanting to change how they operate, the head of Ofsted has warned.

Chief inspector Amanda Spielman said ministers and local authorities must do more to support schools that come under “undue influence” from religious and community groups.

Throwing her weight behind those that stand up to pressure groups, Ms Spielman said it is often young girls who end up having their rights curtailed. In a letter to MPs, she included “community pressure” on a list of what she believes are the “major risks” to quality of education and school effectiveness.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/education/schools-are-under-attack-from-religious-groups-head-of-ofsted-warns-a3978971.html

Time to say a decisive ‘No’?

[bednobs]

my daughter goes to a religious school and it's our catchment school, so there wasn't really a choice. I believe they exert influence on her and sometimes i'm not all that happy about it. I would be happy for religion to be taken out of schools

[naomi24]

Bednobs, this is not about religious schools - it's about ordinary mainstream schools.

[emmie]

religion should play no part in our schools. But it does sadly, and i for one would ban them all, i think they have a detrimental effect on our children.

[anotheoldgit]

There is a problem with some private schools also.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6352947/Two-Islamic-schools-reported-education-watchdog-segregating-boys-girls.html

[-Talbot-]

Time to say a decisive ‘No’?



Yes.

[spathiphyllum]

You're right, those christian songs i was literally forced to sing at school (without note from parent saying otherwise religion) to avoid social embarrassment. It has to stop.

[naomi24]

aog, This is about the effect that religious groups are having on ordinary schools. It's important not to detract from that. This affects all our children.

[maggiebee]

Find it very strange that those who choose to send their children to "religious schools" want religion to be taken out of schools. We always had morning prayers at school and IMO did nobody any harm - we live in a Christian country don't we? Or maybe we don't?

[emmie]

just what our suffragettes fought for equality, fairness and the right to vote. If there is gender segregation in our classrooms then those schools should be made to allow the integration of boys and girls, or be closed down. The difference is only when its a boys or girls only schools.

[Guilbert53]

Oh let me guess which religion this is aimed at !!!!!

[naomi24]

Guilbert53, //Oh let me guess which religion this is aimed at !!!!! //

It's not 'aimed' at anyone. It's a warning from the head of Ofsted - and yes, she does mean Islam - and yes, if we've any sense at all, we should be concerned.

[bednobs]

Find it very strange that those who choose to send their children to "religious schools" want religion to be taken out of schools.
I don't "choose" to send her there - it's the only school she was offered a place at, as it's our catchment school

[-Talbot-]

If we are talking about numbers, maggiebee...we live in an irreligious country.

[spathiphyllum]

"if we've any sense at all, we should be concerned."


Meh.. can't beat em join em! Wouldn't be a problem if everyone was a Muslim.

[maggiebee]

Then the ball was in your court bednobs. You could have refused on the grounds that you are not religious and do not want your children to be exposed to religion in any shape or form. Sure they would have found another school if you had stood your ground.

[Old_Geezer]

Seems to be poor examples that have been given. A school may have a policy re uniform but it should be wide-ranging. Many folk have issues otherwise, not just on religious grounds. Hijab wearing as part of tge uniform is something that can be debated. Meanwhile fasting is an individual choice. It should be a government /legal decision whether it's ok for younger folk. Either ban it nationwide as detrimental, or accommodate it.

[Old_Geezer]

The State religion may be Christian but not everyone is a practicing Christian. Many folk are ambivalent towards religion knowing it's blind faith. The issue there would be why a place of learning should favour/push any specific religion. It should obligatory be secular in it's teaching/approach.

[naomi24]

spath, //Meh.. can't beat em join em! Wouldn't be a problem if everyone was a Muslim. //

You join them if you like. Why would I want to join them? Islam holds no attraction for women. The report actually says, ““When these groups press for changes in school policy on the basis of religion or culture, it can lead to the curtailing of rights of other protected groups, most often girls.”

Do you know what you're supporting?

[spathiphyllum]

I don't support anything.

[AuntLydia]

I am not 'Religious' but firmly believe that Religion should be taught in schools. 'Taught' as opposed to 'Preached'. Children should be taught different beliefs in different religions and how it effects countries, lives and personal freedoms. My youngest, still at private school, has to go to church once a week . It does not make him a Christian and nor would him make him a Muslim by learning about Islam. Education is everything so people can make informed decisions about Religion instead of relying on stereotyping.