Currently, new faith schools can fill no more than 50% of their places using faith-based admissions criteria, but the change announced by the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, will allow them to turn away other children.
The consultation opened by the government today would also allow churches and religious groups to open faith schools for children with special educational needs, which campaigners warned could raise ethical concerns.
Proposals to scrap the 50% cap which applies only when schools have more applicants than places are opposed by the former archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and writers including Philip Pullman and Ian McEwan on the grounds that it would be divisive and likely to penalise disadvantaged children by denying them access to local schools.
Andrew Copson, the chief executive of Humanists UK, said: "The proposal to allow 100% religious discrimination in new state faith schools will increase religious and racial segregation in our schools at a time when integration and cohesion has never been more important.
This story is from the May 01, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 01, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
No 10 Had 'Worst Ever Governing' During Pandemic
Simon Case, Britain's most senior civil servant, has described the chaos at the heart of Boris Johnson's Downing Street, saying he was not warned in advance about the Covid "eat out to help out" scheme.
Sunak Begins Election Campaign By Abandoning Flagship Policies
Bills on smoking ban and no-fault evictions likely to be dropped
US Denies UK Claim That China Is Giving 'Lethal Aid' To Russia
Joe Biden's administration has challenged a claim by the British defence secretary, Grant Shapps, that China is sending "lethal aid❞ to Russia for use in its war in Ukraine.
Rashford needs redemption at Wembley to salvage season
Striker's career of wild peaks and troughs requires a strong performance against City after his latest England blow
Ford-Robinson calm as Sharks begin to circle
Jamal Ford-Robinson is detailing what the award he won at Gloucester's end of season bash was for when eventually he explains that \"essentially it's about being a good club man\".
Capsey leads way for unconvincing England
Alice Capsey hit a career-best 44 from 65 balls as England comfortably beat Pakistan by 37 runs in the first one-day international against Pakistan at Derby.
Tambourine man Why our happy band at Grimsby will keep sharing spotlight as we focus on future
I'n the 1980s, a big night out meant my brothers and mates donning our shiny shirts, necking several pints of Tennent's, then shuffling around the dancefloor of Pier 39 nightclub in Cleethorpes to the sound of George Benson's Give Me the Night.
'Kleptocracy walking tour' MP goes on the trail of dirty money
Margaret Hodge, the veteran Labour MP and former minister, is knocking on doors of multimillion-pound London properties.
Watchdog launches formal investigation into vets' fees
The UK competition regulator has launched a formal investigation into the £2bn veterinary market, over concerns that pet owners could be overpaying for medicines and may not always be aware of the best treatment options available.
China launches two days of 'punishment' drills after Taiwanese president sworn in
Dozens of Chinese fighter jets carried out mock strikes against Taiwanese targets yesterday as \"punishment\" after Taiwan inaugurated a new president, China's military said.
