This government welcomes the fact that our charity sector is diverse and varied, respecting and reflecting a broad range of public views.

Some organisations which promote creationism are registered as charities under the advancement of religion, which remains an important and relevant charitable purpose in modern society. The legal test for charitable status is set out in the Charities Act 2011, and requires charities to have wholly charitable purposes that are for the public benefit. Any detriment or harm that results from the charity pursuing its charitable purpose must not outweigh the benefit it provides.

There are no plans to reassess or change the advancement of religion as a charitable purpose as set out in the Charities Act 2011.

The Department does not collect data about the number of schools that are teaching creationism. Creationism does not accord with the scientific consensus or the very large body of established scientific evidence; nor does it accurately and consistently employ the scientific method. Outside of science lessons, there is scope for young people to discuss beliefs about the origins of the Earth and living things in religious education, providing that these discussions do not undermine the teaching of the established scientific consensus around evolution.

The Government expects pupils in all state funded schools to study the nature of, and evidence for, evolution by the end of Key Stage 4. The Government’s expectations are set out in the National Curriculum, which maintained schools are required to follow, and in the funding agreements to which academies must adhere. The Department investigates complaints made about schools that are teaching creationism as a scientific theory contrary to the National Curriculum or their funding agreement.

Maintained schools are obliged to comply with section 78 of the Education Act 2002. Maintained schools that teach young earth creationism or intelligent design as valid science undermine the teaching of established evolutionary theory and are therefore not complying with the national curriculum or providing a broad and balanced curriculum as required by section 78. If parents have concerns about this they should raise the matter through the school’s complaints procedure in the first instance.

Independent schools are not obliged to meet the requirements of section 78 of the Education Act 2002 for a broad and balanced curriculum which

(a) promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society, and

(b) prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.

However, there are requirements in the independent school standards which, as explained in a previous Answer (HL3032), independent schools are obliged to follow. They contain a detailed standard for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, and the revised standards which come into force on 5 January 2015 also include an enhanced requirement on preparation for adult life.

The standards do not, as noted in Answer HL3032, prevent the teaching of creationism. Nor do they require the teaching of any specific scientific matters, such as evolution. However, in their arrangements for teaching science, schools are expected to imbue pupils with an appreciation of the need for an evidence-based approach, and an ability to think and learn for themselves.

Independent schools are not downgraded in their Ofsted inspections purely as a result of teaching creationism. However, their curriculum and teaching must meet the independent school standards as a condition of registration. The independent school standards require schools to provide a curriculum which gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education. Subject matter must also be appropriate for the ages and aptitudes of pupils. Beyond this, independent schools have the freedom to choose what they include in the curriculum. Teaching creationism does not, of itself, conflict with the standards.

Independent schools are also required to meet standards in relation to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils. These standards were revised in September this year. They now require schools to actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

The Government is clear that all state funded schools must teach science, as part of a broad and balanced curriculum, and that creationism has no place in any science curriculum.

Creationism does not accord with the scientific consensus or the very large body of established scientific evidence; nor does it accurately and consistently employ the scientific method. It should not therefore be presented to children as a scientific theory or body of knowledge.

There is scope for pupils to discuss beliefs about the origins of the Earth and living things, such as creationism, in Religious Education, as long as it is not presented as a valid alternative to established scientific theory and it does not undermine the teaching of the established scientific consensus around evolution.

If parents are concerned that the school is not offering a broad and balanced curriculum, they should follow the school’s complaints procedure.

The decision to fund a provider for early education places is based on the inspection judgment that they receive from Ofsted, or an Ofsted-approved inspectorate. Inspectors will consider whether adults challenge children to think and find out more by encouraging them to speculate and test ideas. Where an Ofsted inspector identifies any concerns, they must notify Ofsted’s compliance, investigation and enforcement team, who will consider notifying the appropriate agencies.

The teaching of creationism and evolution in nurseries was identified by respondents as an issue in the Government’s recent consultation on child minder agencies and the role of local authorities in early education and child care. The Government is considering these responses.

Registered independent schools must meet the independent school standards. These state that the curriculum must give pupils experience in

‘linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical, and aesthetic and creative education’.

Science must therefore be included in the curriculum. Ofsted and the independent school inspectorates inspect independent schools against these standards.

State-funded schools, including free schools and academies, should not teach creationism as an evidence-based scientific theory. Outside of science lessons, it is permissible for schools to cover creationism as part of religious education lessons, providing that this does not undermine the teaching of established scientific theory. Academies and free schools are required to teach a broad and balanced curriculum and the model funding agreement now prohibits the teaching of creationism as an evidence-based theory. Independent schools must comply with the independent school standards, and are subject to inspections by Ofsted or an alternative inspectorate.

All state-funded schools are subject to Ofsted inspections and a range of intervention powers are in place if required. In addition, any breach of academy or free school funding agreements in relation to creationism would be swiftly dealt with by the Department for Education and could result in the termination of the funding agreement.

The Government’s policy is that evolution should be taught in schools as an essential element of a rigorous scientific education; teaching creationism as science is incompatible with the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum.

The national curriculum requires all maintained schools to teach evolution as an established scientific theory. All academies and free schools are required to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum. The model funding agreements for all kinds of academies and free schools are being revised. The latest published version includes a specific requirement to teach evolution, and prohibits the teaching of creationism as an evidence-based theory.

As in all areas of education, we look to Ofsted as the best and most effective lever to ensure expected standards are being achieved. All state funded schools are subject to Ofsted inspections which are required to report on the quality of education provided in the school including the quality of teaching.

Providers in receipt of early years funding must follow clear standards to make sure children are taught the key skills they need to get a good start in life. Where an Ofsted inspector identifies any concerns, they must notify Ofsted’s compliance, investigation and enforcement team, who will consider notifying the appropriate agencies.

We expect the Government’s position on creationism and evolution to be supported by any learning establishment in receipt of funding from the Department for Education to support science education.

We are committed to making sure that all children receive a high-quality science education. The national curriculum ensures that pupils will be taught the scientific knowledge, such as evolution, which is essential to sound understanding of, and progression in, biology and other scientific disciplines.

While the Department for Education is interested in the work done by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC), it does not provide funding for them, nor is it involved in deciding which organisations are accredited by the Council. It is entirely a decision for the CLOtC as to which organisations merit their Quality Badge.

The Department for Education has made it clear that creationism has no place in any science curriculum and should not be taught as a valid scientific alternative to scientific theories. Creationism does not accord with the consensus of the scientific community or the very large body of established scientific evidence. There is scope for pupils to discuss beliefs about the origins of the Earth and living things, such as creationism, in religious education, as long as it is not presented as a valid alternative to established scientific theory.

We would not approve any free school application where we had any concerns that the applicants intended to teach creationism as a valid scientific theory, in science or any other subject. Furthermore, the teaching of creationism as science in any lesson is forbidden by the funding agreement entered into with all free schools.

Issues relating to the appropriateness of the teaching of aspects of the curriculum are within the scope of school inspection. Such concerns would be considered during the course of an inspection and this would be reflected in Ofsted’s assessment of the school. We do not provide any specific guidance to Ofsted on this matter as the Government’s position is clear and unambiguous.

Free schools are not permitted to teach creationism as a valid scientific theory in any subject and the Government would not approve any school that intended to do so. The model

funding agreement for free schools requires that free schools shall not make provision in the context of any subject for the teaching, as an evidence-based view or theory, of any view or theory that is contrary to established scientific and/or historical evidence and explanations.

The Government have made it clear that creationism has no place in the science curriculum of any state-funded school. The model funding agreement prohibits free schools from teaching creationism as a valid scientific theory in any subject.

The Government do not consider it acceptable for free schools to teach creationism as an evidence-based theory in religious education or any other subject.

The teaching of creationism as a valid scientific theory, whether in an assembly or as part of the teaching of science or any other subject, has no place in any state-funded school. Free schools are specifically prohibited from teaching it through their funding agreements. Schools may, however, cover the biblical creation story; for example, as part of religious education.

The Government have approved the application by Exemplar—Newark Business Academy to progress to the implementation stage of the free schools process. It is not a creationist group. It is composed of local parents and community members, including Christians, non-Christians and secularists.

All free school applications are subject to a rigorous assessment and a thorough interview process. We are clear that the teaching of creationism as a valid scientific theory, in science or any other subject, should not occur in any state funded school and free schools are specifically prohibited from doing so by virtue of their funding agreements.