NMFS campaign urges support for secular education in Wales

NMFS campaign urges support for secular education in Wales

No More Faith Schools placard

The No More Faith Schools campaign is arguing in favour of inclusive, secular schooling amid plans which could see faith schools opening or expanding in several parts of Wales.

Vale of Glamorgan Council is planning to build a new faith school, while plans in Swansea, Gwynedd and Cardiff could see substantial sums of public money spent on faith-based schooling.

Glamorgan

In Glamorgan, the council is proposing to build a £31.9m new Church in Wales school which is likely to have voluntary aided (VA) status.

This will mean almost all – if not all – its costs being paid by the public, while the church's local diocese may be given ownership of the school.

VA faith schools can appoint a majority of governors on religious grounds. They can potentially select all of their pupils and teachers on religious grounds if oversubscribed and teach confessional religious education.

Plans are at an early stage. The NMFS campaign is calling on the council to invest in an inclusive community school instead.

Swansea

Swansea Council is proposing effectively to build a new faith school to replace a Catholic primary school, St Joseph's, and secondary school, Bishop Vaughan.

The NMFS campaign argues it would make more sense to make the new school a community one, given the substantial public investment being proposed.

Cardiff

Cardiff Council is proposing to relocate a local faith school, to a major new housing development at St Edeyrn's, and double its size.

The NMFS campaign is arguing that the council should take the chance to open a new community school at St Edeyrn's.

Gwynedd

Gwynedd Council is in the early stages of planning a new school site in the town of Criccieth.

The NMFS campaign is arguing that this should be an inclusive new community school, rather than a replacement for a local faith school.

NMFS comment and action

NMFS campaign coordinator Alastair Lichten urged supporters to write to their members of the Senedd and local councillors over the issue, both in relevant local areas and across Wales.

"Where new schools are planned or sizable sums of taxpayers' money are spent replacing existing schools, they should be inclusive and respect children and teachers' religious freedom.

"We urge supporters across Wales to help us make the case that schools are for teaching, not preaching – and when children learn together, they learn to get along together."