ABSTRACT
The expansion of faith-based schools can be seen as part of a government strategy to extend provision of a category of schools which it sees as being successful in terms of parental support and academic attainment. This chapter illustrates the growth of full-time faith-based schools in England and Wales with particular reference to Muslim, Sikh and Greek Orthodox institutions. It explores the religious background, demographics and community involvement in establishment of these schools. The chapter highlights their efforts as communities in seeking to obtain government funding as voluntary aided schools. It presents the development of Muslim schools which are by far the largest group among the new faith-based schools. The chapter examines another type of school new to the educational landscape in Netherlands which has sought state funding, that based on Sikhism. The new faith-based schools based on Islam, Sikhism and Greek Orthodoxy has followed in the traditional footsteps of Christian and Jewish communities in securing state funding.
