While some religions or denominations are allowed state-funded schools, excluded groups may rightly ask to be included on grounds of fairness. However, it is also important that all voluntary-aided and controlled schools undertake to teach the national curriculum. A rejection of evolution by the Seventh Day Adventists is, therefore, one important reason against grant-maintained status for their school.
Ultimately, the only solution that gives the same proper educational values to the management of the school, and the teaching of beliefs, would be to get rid of state funding for religious schools altogether. Over a period of, say, 10 years, existing schools would move to county status, including adoption of the locally-agreed RE syllabus.
ROBERT ASHBY
Executive director British Humanist Association 47 Theobalds Road, London WC1