An evangelical religious sect that shuns modern technology and people from outside the faith has held talks with the Government about opening an academy. The Exclusive Brethren runs 26 private schools in England through its educational division, the Focus Learning Trust. It has talked to the Department for Education and Skills about opening either an academy or trust school. Responding to a parliamentary question, Lord Adonis, the schools minister, said there were no plans to open state schools linked to the group, but did not rule out the possibility.

Magazine, page 32