The report published by multi-faith group, the Accord Coalition for Inclusive Education found just one in eight dioceses advise against the practise, despite the Church claiming it doesn’t discriminate.
Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain from the Accord Coalition told Premier he’s very in much in favour of faith but not faith schools that “segregate into religious silos”.
He added: “I don’t think it’s very healthy for the children or the society at large.
“There is no national guidance by the Church of England… they’ve said ‘we’re doing it on a local basis… and each locality sorts out its own religious policy’.
“We contacted all 40 education boards and all 40 replied… and only five out of the 40 advise the schools not to select and to be positively inclusive.”
The report calls for national Church authorities to “practice what it preaches” and issue new guidance that makes clear where authority over setting faith based admissions lies.
Rev Stephen Terry campaigns for all Church of England schools to be open and accessible to children and families from other backgrounds.
He said: “To select on grounds of faith is discriminatory and validates a wider culture that says it is okay for state funded schools to segregate children by this means.
“To do so threatens the reputation of the Church, and is seen by many, inside and outside the Church as potentially hindering the growth of integration and cohesion in our…
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