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Schools: Worship

Answer

The law enables parents to decide the most appropriate way for their children to participate in collective worship. They can choose to withdraw their children from all or part of collective worship, without having to give a reason. Parents can also discuss with the school options for their child to attend alternative provision for collective worship. Schools are required to design collective worship provision so that it is appropriate to all pupils, regardless of whether or not they hold a religious belief. They also have the flexibility to lift the requirement for broadly Christian collective worship so that they can provide collective worship that better meets the needs of their school communities. We have no evidence of children having been victimised because they are withdrawn from collective worship. Governing bodies of schools are under a duty to promote their pupils' well-being as part of their responsibility for running the school. Schools are required by the Equality Act 2010 not to harass or victimise a pupil in relation to education or the benefits, services and facilities they offer pupils. Schools are also under a duty to address any form of victimisation or bullying. In addition, an important feature of Ofsted inspection relates to how the school promotes pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development; and inspectors look particularly at the behaviour and safety of pupils. We think that, taken together, these provisions allow parents sufficient choice and safeguard the interests of children, in respect of collective worship in schools.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

15932; 736 c31-2WA

Session

2010-12

Subjects

Collective worship Pupils Schools

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk