Accord is a wide coalition of organisations, including religious groups, humanists, trade unions and human rights campaigners. We share a common view on many issues to do with state-funded schools and believe that the current legislation on faith schools in particular is counter-productive.
We campaign to make admissions and recruitment policies in all state-funded schools free from discrimination on grounds of religion or belief.
We want schools to follow an objective, fair and balanced syllabus for education about religious and non-religious beliefs.
We want accountability under a single inspection regime for Religious Education, Personal, Social & Health (PSHE) education and Citizenship.
We believe all schools should provide their pupils with inclusive, inspiring and stimulating assemblies in place of compulsory acts of worship.
The former Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Religious Education has warned that the group is at risk of falling under the influence of a narrow and exclusive lobby.
Accord has urged the Government to recognise the latest call for change to Religious Education in schools as further evidence of the widespread consensus that has emerged wishing that the subject be reviewed.
Ofsted has renewed its commitment to challenge gender segregation within faith schools, but has inadvertently drawn attention to the inconsistent way that religious segregation is tolerated within the state funded school system.
A cross-party group of MPs have tabled an Early Day Motion urging that all state funded faith schools be limited in selecting no more than half of their pupils by faith.