BHA contributes to new documentary on 'faith' schools

Monday, 16 August 2010 12:00 AM

BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson is among a number of experts interviewed for a new documentary on 'faith' schools which will be screened this Wednesday 18 August at 9pm on More4.

'Faith School Menace?', presented by BHA Vice President Professor Richard Dawkins, is a passionately argued film which calls on us to reconsider the consequences of 'faith' schools.

The film features interviews with child psychologists, politicians and key players in the 'faith' schools debate as well as insights from parents and pupils.

Professor Dawkins also draws on his own experience as a father, arguing that the government must stop funding new 'faith' schools and urging society to respect a child's right to freedom of belief.

The screening of the documentary comes as the BHA launches a major new fundraising campaign to support its work against state-funded 'faith' schools.

Andrew Copson said 'Throughout the BHA's many years of campaigning on this issue, parents, teachers and pupils themselves have consistently opposed 'faith' schools. The reasons are clear - they are divisive, discriminatory and unable to fully recognise the rights of their pupils. Unfortunately, with the coalition government's massive deregulation of education, the situation is only going to get worse.'

'The documentary comes at an opportune time for the BHA as this week we launch a major new fundraising drive to ensure we can continue to employ our dedicated 'faith' schools campaigner for another year. We hope the documentary will act as an incentive for all those concerned about the power and influence of religious groups in our schools to support our work. We must act now to ensure a fairer, more inclusive education for our children in the future.'

Notes

For further information contact James Gray on 020 7462 4993 or james@humanism.org.uk.

For further comment contact Andrew Copson on 07534 248 596.

Read more about 'Faith School Menace?' at www.channel4.com.

Read more about the 'faith' schools fundraising campaign at www.humanism.org.uk.

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