ABSTRACT
Faith schools in Britain are passionately opposed by many humanists and atheists but retain government support as institutions that deliver what parents want. This chapter contextualises the debate about faith schools in terms of recent legislation, changing government policy and international comparisons, and explores some of the deeper issues that emerge in discussions and arguments about faith schools. For example, do faith schools indoctrinate children, undermine community cohesion and discourage personal autonomy? Or is it oppressive to deny parents the freedom to bring children up in line with their own beliefs and values? The chapter begins with a clarification of the concept of ‘faith school’ and the numbers of pupils attending such schools, and this is followed by a summary of the history of faith schooling in Britain. The nature of the academic and political arguments about faith schools is then explored, and four different but intertwined debates are identified. Finally, the arguments and counter-arguments are examined directly.
