School of Social Sciences
Cardiff University
Faith in Education?
The Changing Role
of Religion in
English Schools
Peter J. Hemming
[email protected]
OUTLINE OF TALK
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Introduction
The faith schools debate
The contested curriculum
Religion, citizenship and identity
Conclusion
FAITH SCHOOLS
The Faith Schools Debate
Arguments In Favour…
• Social cohesion can be promoted by involving minority
religious communities in the democratic system
• Religious needs are better catered for in faith schools
• Faith schools provide choice for parents and diversity of
provision
• Faith schools represent justice and fairness for members
of different religious groups
• Faith schools foster positive ethos and supportive
religious values
• Religious teachings in faith schools promote tolerance
and understanding of others
Arguments Against...
• Social cohesion can be eroded by division and ignorance
of other religions and cultures
• Faith schools limit pupil autonomy and promote
indoctrination
• Faith schools use selection procedures that effectively
disadvantage other schools by selecting the best pupils
• Faith schools work against educational aims and equal
opportunities
• The state should not fund religion as it should be a private
matter
• Faith schools result in segregation and a lack of tolerance
and understanding of difference
Faith Schools & Community Cohesion
Constructed Concepts?
Children, Religion & Cohesion
Positive
Encounters?
THE CURRICULUM
… as
Contested
Religious Education Development
National or Local?
Adult or Child-led?
Religion Across the Curriculum
Public or Private?
CITIZENSHIP & IDENTITY
Negotiating
Religious
Citizenship?
CONCLUSION
More Child-Centred
Research?