Faith school discrimination 'will fragment education'

Britain's education system will become increasingly fragmented if faith schools use new powers to discriminate on religious grounds when hiring headteachers and support staff, campaigners warn today.

The Government says the change in the law, which comes into force on Monday, is intended to help schools choose staff who will offer "pastoral support" to pupils. The amendment to the Education and Inspections Act 2006 also allows voluntary-controlled and foundation schools to demand that a headteacher adheres to a specific faith.

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A campaign group called Accord, to be launched at the start of the new term on Monday, wants Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, to prevent state-funded faith schools from discriminating by selecting students and pupils according to their beliefs.

Accord, a broad coalition including the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and the British Humanist Association (BHA), will be led by Dr Jonathan Romain, the rabbi at Maidenhead synagogue, who emphasised the diversity of its members.

"I am committed to Jewish values and to passing them on to my children," he said. "But as a rabbi I also understand that no one gains if this is done in such a way that it damages good community relations, as in separate religious schools."

Andrew Copson, of the BHA, added: "By segregating young children and teenagers by their beliefs, we are fragmenting Britain at a time when we need cohesion more than ever."

The Children's minister, Kevin Brennan, defended the Government's stance, saying: "Parents should be able to choose the type of education and ethos they want for their children. Faith schools are here to stay."