Comments for accordcoalition.org.uk

Comment on Boom in Academy faith schools could have devastating consequences for the health and wellbeing of society by Ruth

Ruth — Tue, 01 May 2012 21:29:17 +0000

If you don’t want to put your child in a faith school put them in any one of thousand other community schools available. Every other nation in the world hasn’t got a problem with their nation’s faith setting the precidence in all things. It’s sad to see that the Church and England are slowly drifting apart. Why can’t we embrace diversification in education and not tear down what works but focus on remedies for the weakness in general educational establishments?

Comment on Stop religious discrimination in pupil selection in your area by Katy Garrigan

Katy Garrigan — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:54:58 +0000

I am from the other side of the spectrum, I am within West Sussex County Council and I am suprised to see them on your list as we were told by them and their admissions policy does not appear to give any religious preference? However we do see that they are proposing for 2013 to have a religious preference within their over subscription criteria for several C of E Junior schools in the county. Although I quite agree with the issue, we feel we are being targeted as we do prefer a religious education for our son being Christians ourselves we do exist! We have been unable to obtain a place at first and second choices of faith schools due to class sizes, with many parents that have got places upset that they do not want a faith school. I believe we need to provide more good Community Schools so that everyone can have a good education.Please do not discriminate against those who genuinely do require a religious education

Comment on Role of religion in education discussed in public debate by Dr Naznin Hirji

Dr Naznin Hirji — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:12:27 +0000

I think Professor Jackson makes a crucial point about the way religions may be portrayed in schools, one which also formed part of my own research findings. Not only do children of those religions fail to identify with the way in which their religion is taught, the resultant negative impact on other children who are receiving inaccurate and limited interpretations of other religions is unquestionably detrimental to understanding pluralism and the value of learning from each other’s traditions. The only way to redress this, in my view, is to use authentic sources within each religious tradition, in collaboration with the religious boards of each tradition, and to engage religious educators qualified to disseminate, dialogue and debate comparative religions. This point also ties in with a
point the Rt Rev Pritchard makes about RE bias towards Christianity being important to help pupils better understand UK culture. Whilst I can understand where the Rt Rev is coming from, and that of course, would have been the recent-past UK culture, and certainly its host religous tradition, is it still true to say that this bias would define today’s ‘UK culture’ – aren’t we now a rich blend of religious traditions, with more in common even within our diversities than we realise? Professor Conroy’s ‘sense-making’ point is spot-on. Therefore, if scriptural reasoning was to be opened up by qualified educators to school discussion groups, guided by discerning teachers, would this not generate a fresh young society of multi-faith individuals, comfortable to be different together?

RE, as the Rt Rev says, is vital for society and the energy derived from spiritual strength can be rejuvenating, as is evidenced from research studies. Religion, however, is a discipline that belongs to all who need it or want it, the only way it can possibly be used to do wrong is when it is used to cover, or is misunderstood as, a political ideology – and most often through ignorance. Otherwise, the ethical and moral compass that is non-negotiably necessary for sound human development, if given its rightful place in education, can be brought forth from both learning about RE, and from religion also, as that is part of the human condition.

Comment on Accord at the teaching union conferences by JUNE WAREHAM

JUNE WAREHAM — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:52:44 +0000

Dear Ms Alison Sherratt, I too am concerned regarding the current behaviours of the generation of young children and youth. I am a born again Christian and all I ask is for you to please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss this serious topic of behaviour in schools.

Kind regards, June WAreham – 07895538972

God bless.

Comment on Church of England urged to follow Methodist example of inclusive schools by Tanveer Pastor

Tanveer Pastor — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 10:57:06 +0000

i am pastor tanveer masih bhatti from pakistan.i am working for youth ,children Education in pakistan in Remot ares and less areas.i try i give the quietly Education to all children in every wary in pakistan.

Comment on Stop religious discrimination in pupil selection in your area by Paul Sherwood

Paul Sherwood — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 00:45:12 +0000

I have seethed for years over the admissions policy of a local state funded faith school with excellent results. As an atheist I couldn’t bear to attend church for 3 years as required to jump through the admission hoops so have instead paid for private education as the local non faith selective state schools are poor. So faith discrimination has encouraged me to use the ‘immoral’ private option. If I win the lottery the money will be spent on legal challenges using human rights law aiming to abolish all faith-based school selection. How can we continue to allow evil religious indoctrination in modern society?

Comment on Nothing should distract schools from providing high quality PSHE education by Smith

Smith — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:27:44 +0000

I came across this before, but this information adds more value in how I can go about applying for PSHE course for my kids. Hope I'll start getting the course material soon!

Comment on Church School of the Future’ report a missed opportunity by Paul

Paul — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:00:06 +0000

What is interesting is that you have made a number of statements about, primarily catholic schools, none of which you even attempted to prove or cite. Perhaps you should practice what you preach?

Comment on Church School of the Future’ report a missed opportunity by S Phillips

S Phillips — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 12:28:03 +0000

I have reviewed the ‘evidence’ you have provided for community cohesion problems and broadly found it mainly to be based on assertions and convictions. Much of your statistical evidence contradicts that provided elsewhere by other groups. The best arguments presented are about social class and faith schools, which has some merit, but it ignores some important issues- Catholic schools were responsible historically transforming the opportunities of the original underclass- Irish immigrants. Secondly because faith schools – Catholic in particular have admissions from a much wider geographical area than community schools – you are much less likely to have schools with singular ethnic/ class groups- a Catholic school will not solely serve a council estate or a plush housing area, it will rarely be wholly white British or a school of one ethnic mix serving a ghetto community. Is this not the ideal looked for in trying to serve a wider mix of backgrounds and in many respects far more significant for community cohesion in modern Britain than faith- alas faith in most people’s lives has less impact than their background. The convictions you hold on this website lead to very jaundiced and unobjective views. Say less about what you feel and think and more about what you can prove!

Comment on Accord attends Labour Party school curriculum policy review by Paul Pettinger

Paul Pettinger — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:49:53 +0000

Out of interest Maurice, how would you propose that the Government goes about ensuring that RE taught in state funded schools is genuinely educational, as well as broad and balanced in its schools?

Paul.

Paul Pettinger
Coordinator of the Accord Coalition