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Academies Bill provokes discrimination fears

1 min read Education
The Academies Bill could increase incidents of discrimination against teachers and pupils on religious grounds, according to campaign group The Accord Coalition.

The coalition says that by allowing academies to opt out of the National Curriculum it could indirectly allow schools run by religious groups to discriminate against those with a different religious belief.

The warning has been given as the bill enters its second reading in the House of Lords this week.

Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, chair of the coalition, said: "In the government's eagerness to give schools far greater operational freedom, it appears to be also freeing them from regulations that help ensure the education they provide is properly balanced, broad and does not promote extreme views."

As an example, he fears that creationism could be taught in science by some schools and that religious education could become less balanced, focusing on just one religion.

Academies could also be given the same status as religious schools and be exempt from aspects of equality legislation in hiring staff.

The Accord Coalition is formed of religious and non-religious groups and campaigns for a balanced religious education curriculum.

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