Church says its schools must be open to all

The Church of England is urging the Government to introduce legislation to allow it to outlaw religious discrimination by its schools

Senior members of the Church's Board of Education have asked Estelle Morris, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, to amend her flagship Education Bill to give them more powers over admission arrangements so C of E schools can be compelled to include pupils from other religions and no faith at all.

The Bill, currently going through Parliament, controversially calls for an increase in the number of faith schools – a move opposed by backbench Labour MPs and trade union leaders who claim it will lead to more racially segregated schooling for youngsters.

Until now the relationship between the Church and its schools has been governed by parliamentary powers that do not cover admissions arrangements – the main source of controversy surrounding the Bill. The powers, contained in measures approved in 1991, give dioceses the right to advise schools on such policy matters as school closures and expansions. In more extreme circumstances, the powers allow dioceses to force schools to comply with their wishes – for instance, if they refuse to publish notices outlining school expansion or closure plans for parents to see.

Members of the C of E's Board of Education have been lobbying civil servants to extend these powers to admission arrangements because of the controversy over the Bill.

Concern has been expressed in some communities, notably Oldham, scene of race riots last summer, that C of E schools have barred non-Christian children. Phil Willis, the Liberal Democrat education spokes- man, singled out Oldham's Blue Coat School, which has only a few non-white pupils despite being in a predominantly ethnic-minority area.

Canon John Hall, general secretary of the C of E Board of Education, said: "We have had a number of discussions with the Government. It would be more the power to advise and have schools taking recognition of that advice. I don't know whether the more extreme powers have ever been used. We have no doubt that our governing bodies recognise the importance of being (a) distinctive and (b) inclusive of all sections of the community."

He said plans for another 100 C of E secondary schools over the next decade would provide more places for Christian children, allowing schools to be inclusive of all pupils.

The move comes as Ms Morris is trying to insist that all new church schools should accept pupils who follow other faiths or none at all. She is to send out guidance to school organisation committees, the bodies that will decide on new proposals for church schools, urging them to turn down applications from faith groups that refuse to open their doors to outsiders.

The C of E's move also backs the stance taken by the Archbishop of Canterbury who said last week he opposed the idea of all-Christian schools. He said all C of E schools should include pupils from other religions and no faith even if it meant turning away Christian children.

* Universities were urged by ministers to take a "long hard look" at the kinds of students they attract, as a prelude to the Aimhigher roadshow, which sets off today, visiting schools in areas where few people have in the past taken degrees.