Minister meets Jewish heads to calm row over faith school donation demands

Schools Minister Jim Knight stood in for Children's Secretary Ed Balls at the meeting to answer criticisms over Government claims last week that some schools had been asking parents for fees upfront.

With Mr Balls away on holiday, Mr Knight stepped in to calm the row at a meeting organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

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Mr Balls and his deputy caused anger after attacking schools which demand voluntary donations on admissions forms.

They were only able to identify six schools which asked parents for up front contributions - all faith schools and five of them Jewish.

These argued they levied the charges for extra security and religious teaching.

Jon Benjamin, the chief executive of the Board of Deputies, admitted some schools had got it "wrong" in their admissions procedures and were making changes.

But he added: "This could have been handled in a way that would not have eroded trust and confidence. There is some bridgebuilding to be done."

Mr Benjamin said the investigation could have been handled "quietly" by education chiefs but the issue had "spiralled out of control".

In an article in the Jewish Chronicle today, Mr Balls says he accepts Jewish schools have the right to charge voluntary contributions for "necessary" security and extra religious education.

But he says it must be kept "entirely separate" from admissions.

He admits publishing details of spot checks by his department had been "stressful" for the schools involved but claims this was in the "public interest".

He goes on: "I strongly support the historic and important role Jewish schools and all faith schools play in our education system and wider society."