Theresa May's chief of staff appointment is a threat to our children’s multi-faith education

Nick Timothy – former Director of the Network of Free Schools, who has long campaigned to overturn the rule which allows a maximum of 50 per cent of pupils to be selected on the grounds of their faith – is now the chief of staff for Theresa May

Theresa May's new chief of staff, Nick Timothy, could endanger the 50 per cent rule that keeps faith schools socially mixed (Reuters)

Until now, free schools have been subject to the condition that a maximum of 50 per cent of pupils can be selected on the grounds of their faith. Astonishingly, this balanced approach is now under threat. On Friday, the Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, opposed a Jewish free school being established because non-Jewish children might be admitted under the 50 per cent rule. The Catholic Education Service has been pressing to abolish the rule altogether. Even more significant is that Nick Timothy – former Director of the Network of Free Schools, who has long campaigned to overturn the 50 per cent rule – is now one of two joint chiefs of staff on the Cabinet for Theresa May. He might have a finger on the trigger in this situation.

The intention of the 50 per cent rule is to limit the number of religious ghettos being created, be it Jewish-only schools or those of any other faith group. This reflects the concern that although faith schools have been part of the British educational system since its inception, there is increasing disquiet about their effect. How wise is it to segregate children of different religious backgrounds?

It may not have been an issue when the country was entirely Christian, but now that it is multi-faith (and indeed many do not identify with any faith), such schools can appear divisive. Many argue they do a disservice to the children that attend – limiting their social and educational horizons – and will adversely affect the society into which they will later emerge and reshape.

The 50 per cent rule is an attempt to widen the social mix and ensure that children can have both a sense of religious roots and openness to others. It is vital for Britain’s social health that the next generation grows up in harmony, not in ignorance and suspicion.

There is now a real danger that this progressive measure might be undermined. This may please some within the religious lobby, but it will be detrimental socially. Moreover, there are many Jewish and Christian clergy who argue that children from faith backgrounds should not be hidden away from wider society; these clergy do not share the insecurity that lies behind such isolationist thinking.

In the new post-Referendum era, Theresa May has been brave enough to ask “what sort of society do we want?” If the answer is a tolerant and inclusive one, then we have to have a tolerant and inclusive educational system that leads to it.

Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain the minister of Maidenhead synagogue.