Expansion moves for faith schools

More than 100 independent Muslim schools could apply to join the state system while the Government acknowledged that there were not enough free school places for Hindu and Sikh children.

In a new joint document, the Department for Children and the major religious groups set out to "dispel some of the common myths and misunderstandings around faith schools".

The document said: "The Government and faith school providers believe that all schools - whether they have a religious character or not - play a key role in providing a safe and harmonious environment for all in our society, thereby fostering understanding, integration and cohesion. The Government recognises that, in relation to the overall size of their populations, there are relatively few faith school places in the maintained sector available to Muslim, Sikh and Hindu children compared to the provision available for Christian and Jewish families."

While there were 376,000 Muslim children aged between five and 15 at the last census, there are only 1,770 pupils in the seven state-funded Muslim schools in England. But there are 115 independent Muslim schools, where families have to pay fees.

The document, Faith In The System, said: "The Government will work with local authorities as the commissioners of schools and school places in each area and with faith organisations to remove unnecessary barriers to the creation of new faith schools. In particular, the Government will encourage independent schools to enter the maintained sector in their existing premises so that the need for capital funding is not a barrier to entry."

Where there are no existing buildings which can be used, the local authority or the Department for Children, Schools and Families could provide cash to buy or build new premises, the document said.

But teachers attacked the plans and questioned whether any religious groups should receive Government funding to run faith schools. Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said school staff were concerned over the way faith schools operate.

Speaking at the launch of the document at the British Library in London, Children's Secretary Ed Balls said new multi-faith schools could promote good community relations.

But he warned that faith schools - and other schools - must not discourage applications from poor families by insisting on expensive uniforms or asking for so-called voluntary contributions. Mr Balls said: "In the right circumstances, joint faith schools are a new way in which faith schools are a new way in which faith schools and faith communities can make a valuable contribution towards community cohesion and integration."