I have a great suggestion to solve the 'faith school' problem... Let the CofE run all schools in England.

ps By the way, the suggestion that they may generate social problems is hypothetical - based on theories about terrorism in Northern Ireland, which had it's roots in more than religious differences... AND the terrorism has stopped even though NI still has faith schools!

pps No-one can point to any REAL problems at the moment; so banning them now seems unnecessary and almost a phobic overreaction - to a perceived risk that is not real!). If some school ever did give rise to trouble-makers in the future, I think most people would accept that it should be taken into public control until it was sorted out.

In the meantime there is no need to stop everyone, except atheists, being able to choose that their children are educated according to their own beliefs.

DavidWh writes:

pps No-one can point to any REAL problems at the moment; so banning them now seems unnecessary and almost a phobic overreaction - to a perceived risk that is not real!). If some school ever did give rise to trouble-makers in the future, I think most people would accept that it should be taken into public control until it was sorted out.

KF> I would say that the continuing existence of denominational schools in the Scottish education system has done much to prolong the scourge of sectarianism in Scottish society. Just be in the environs of Ibrox and/or Parkhead on an OLd Firm match to see some of the problems.

DW>
In the meantime there is no need to stop everyone, except atheists, being able to choose that their children are educated according to their own beliefs.

KF> IT's just expecting the taxpayer to pick up the tab for denominational schools that I have a problem with.

See:

http://www.sces.uk.com/articles/62/1/Catholic-Schooling-in-Scotland/Page1.html
http://www.nilbymouth.org/history.htm

but

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/08/28094446

Kennedy

Kennedy>IT's just expecting the taxpayer to pick up the tab for denominational schools that I have a problem with.

I have problems with that statement - I chose to send my children to a faith school - It meant taking out extra mortgage to help pay towards the school/boarding. But also - like most parents who send their children to faith schools - I am a taxpayer! Whenever this comment is made about taxpayers paying for church schools I just wonder if the person making the comment thinks parents who send their children to faith schools somehow had some kind of dispensation from the chancellor.

Islwyn>
Whenever this comment is made about taxpayers paying for church schools I just wonder if the person making the comment thinks parents who send their children to faith schools somehow had some kind of dispensation from the chancellor.

KF>
Sorry - you mistake me for someone that lives south of the border in Englandshire. In Scotland (different education system), the denominational schools (almost entirely RC) are funded in exactly the same way as the rest of the state schools.

The difference is the way that the RC church is allowed to influence appointments and policy (esp. in moral and religious education). This segregation (a real them and us situation) has helped, I believe, keep sectarianism alive in Scotland.

As the vast majority of children attend state schools in Scotland (considerably more than in England) such a force for emphasising difference from age 5 onwards, funded by taxpayer's money, is definitely something with which I have a problem.