Archbishop of York misses the point on Church schools
John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York and former Bishop of Birmingham, writes in defence of church schools in one of today's Sunday papers.
He says they are under attack from some politicians and commentators for being divisive and creating ghettoes.
But he points out that 90 per cent of pupils in schools such as St John's School in Sparkhill, Birmingham, or Saint Saviours in Alum Rock, are Muslims.
Church of England schools are "built on Christian values but not restricted to those who subscribe to the Christian religion," he says.
While I obviously hesitate to disagree with the Bishop on Church of England matters, I don't think this is entirely right.
As I understand it, Church schools only take in people of other religions if they don't receive enough applications from Christians to fill their classrooms.
In an area where the vast majority of youngsters are Christians, members of minority religions are indeed excluded (assuming, at least, that Christian parents do apply to the school).
But perhaps more importantly, he sidesteps the real concern some people have, which is not about Church schools at all.
I think what really concerns people is the growth of "faith schools" (which he describes as "a lazy catch-all term"), with Muslim, Hindu and Jewish schools operating alongside CoE and Catholic schools.
This is what some critics fear will cause division and ghettoes, and Church schools get caught up in the debate because, frankly, people feel they need to criticise them too in order to avoid being called racist, Islamaphobic or anti-semitic.
I once visited Al-Hijrah school in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, in my former role as the Post's education correspondent, and met a bunch of extremely well-mannered and well-spoken young people.
But rightly or not, it's schools like Al-Hijrah that people object to, not St John's.
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Jonathan,
Not having been brought up in this country, and though Christian in the general European culture sense, I am not competent to comment - which, as usual, doesn't stop me from doing so. On a general note which I hope doesn't miss your point: I loved Sunday School - when I was about nine - and despite my poor father disapproving and despairing of me I kept going "religiously". There are many ways of spending an instructive Sunday morning, and that was mine.
What needs to be celebrated in this country, big time and I mean it, is your multi (big M) culturalism. It's fantastic. It's theeee best legacy of the Empire.
Admittedly, when my son was still forced to have RE lessons at school I sometimes quietly questioned the wisdom of lessons covering many faiths in breadth whilst never going into depth of any. It seemed an exercise in watering down. Maybe not such a bad thing - given how many wars were, and are, fought on grounds of religion.
U
Ursula, thank you. You remind me that it's important to remember that multiculturalism (I prefer to call it a highly diverse culture but that's a small thing) IS a good thing for this country, in many ways. It's easy to take that for granted and focus on the tensions and concerns it can raise when you're reporting on these issues.
Personally I'd like to see more faith schools, but without any entry criteria based on religion.
Al-Hijrah in Birmingham does have a great ethos, based on making the most of the opportunities available to you, not just for your own benefit but for the benefit of the society you are part of (that's what they talked about at the assembly I attended anyway!).
I'm sure it's a great environment for children to learn in, just as Church schools and Jewish schools may offer a great environment too. What we want to avoid is children being taught separately based on their religion.
It won't happen, though. The Government tried to push this idea once, and met a lot of opposition.
Jonathan, I think you preferring the term of "diverse" (meaning "widely varied") apt and interesting. I am tempted to say "wildly varied"; and that's were danger lies when it comes to religion. What strikes me again and again - and I know I am repeating myself here most naively - all religions tell us in one way or another to love "thy neighbour" only then to call us to the sword if there is so much as a Sycamore growing at the bottom of your garden, never mind the hedge exceeding a certain height - metaphorically speaking...
U
Always good to read your analysis Jonathan, even if - as on this occasion - it misses the point of what the Archbishop was saying.
In your response to Ursula you say that "Personally I'd like to see more faith schools, but without any entry criteria based on religion....It won't happen, though. The Government tried to push this idea once, and met a lot of opposition."
Actually it is happening and Church of England academies offer exactly that - a "faith school" where entry is based soley on how near you live to the school, open to all faiths and none. That was a big part of the argumnet the archbishop was making.
In your original post you say "As I understand it, Church schools only take in people of other religions if they don't receive enough applications from Christians to fill their classrooms."
Under the new admissions code that isn't the case. For all new CofE schools that aren't academies a minimum of 25% of places are reserved for "people of other religions" (or none). This is something CofE schools do which other"faith schools" do not and its one of the many reasons for distinguishing between schools operated by faith communities.
Finally you suggest that "frankly, people feel they need to criticise church schools too in order to avoid being called racist, Islamaphobic or anti-semitic". I think it's sad that people should feel the need to sacrfice truth for feaqr of those sorts of accusations. It is particularly worry if it appiies to journalists of your calibre and position who feel that fear given your role in providing the facts to those who depend on your copy for information.
Hi Arun (is that Arun Arora?).
Thanks for explaining the new admissions system. Personally, I think it sounds like a very positive change.
Surely most church schools are not academies, and opened long before January 2007, when the new admissions code came in? Don't the vast majority still give priority to Christian (specifically CoE) parents, if they apply?
Anyway, I said it wouldn't change and I take your point that it is changing, at least for CoE schools.
I agree it's unfortunate if people don't discuss their fears openly for fear of being accused of something unpleasant (although sometimes a little bit of self-censorship can be a good thing - that's a whole other debate). I'd like to think that journalists are immune to that kind of social pressure but, um.
If you're suggesting I didn't give my honest opinion up above then I'd disagree. "It's schools like Al-Hijrah that people object to, not St John's" was the point I was trying to make.
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