Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Lord Desai (Crossbench) on Thursday, 15 June 2023, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 29 June 2023. It was answered by Baroness Barran (Conservative) on Monday, 3 July 2023 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Schools: Collective Worship

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recommendation of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child that the UK should repeal laws requiring daily acts of collective worship in schools.

Answer

The government believes that collective worship is an important part of school life, encouraging pupils to reflect on the concept of belief and the role it plays in the traditions and values of this country. The legislation surrounding collective worship is flexible and allows schools to tailor their provision to suit their pupils’ spiritual needs, as well as providing an opportunity for schools and academies to develop and celebrate their ethos and values. The law also affords a right of withdrawal, which can be exercised by pupils over the age of 16 and by parents of pupils under the age of 16.

The government’s assessment is that the current legislation appropriately balances the rights of parents and of children, and has no plans to review its policy on collective worship or the associated right to withdraw as it relates to children attending state funded schools in England.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL8537
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Collective worship Schools
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk