Education
Religion and schools
Many of our state-funded schools are ‘faith schools’, which can select pupils and staff based on their religious preference. This limits the choice of non-religious parents and amounts to discrimination against non-religious teachers.
The national curriculum gives schools free reign to teach religious education as they wish. As a result, many schools teach a biased syllabus. We believe pupils should be taught equally about all major world faiths and non-religious belief systems. Faith schools can also interpret other syllabus areas in accordance with their beliefs. This can result in pupils receiving biased information in 
personal, social & health education lessons or not learning about evolution.
We are affiliated to the Accord coalition, which promotes inclusive schools. The coalition believes state schools should: not discriminate in their admissions procedures or employment policies; follow an objective, fair and balanced syllabus; and provide inspiring assemblies, rather than acts of worship.
Past LSH campaigns:
- In 2008 we opposed proposals that a new state primary school in Buckshaw village be awarded to Blackburn CofE Diocese and Chorley Methodist Circuit without any capital input from the churches.
- Our Chairman's daughter attended a community school, but was refused a bus pass to get there, because she lived nearer to a faith school. A campaign followed, which included giving evidence to a parliamentary select committee. In 2002 the law was changed, allowing children free travel to avoid a faith school in the same way they were already given free travel to attend a faith school.
To find out more about our current campaigns see our News section.
Educating the public about Humanism
We are keen to explain Humanism to people and show you can be moral, ethical and compassionate, without following a religious faith. Members of our group also get involved with discussions about ethical issues. Past examples include:
- Attending 6th Form RE classes to explain and discuss Humanism and leading debates with school groups.
- Providing input for a nurses training course at Liverpool John Moores University.
- Participating in a debate on palliative care at Fazakerly Hospital in Liverpool.
Contact us if you would like a LSH member to visit your school, organisation or group to explore Humanism or ethical issues.
