The Government must not pander to homophobia and ignorance

The Government’s decision to allow faith schools to teach sex education "in a way that reflects the school’s religious character", is an unwelcome and undesirable turn of events.

Labour has already given an opt-out from sex and relationship education up to age 15. This move will further dilute the information that all young people should be entitled to, before they reach the age of consent.

State-funded schools must not put their own spin on sex and relationship education.

The Government must not pander to homophobia or to those who want young people kept in ignorance.

Tory claims on Islamic school thrown out

David Cameron's ludicrous and unfounded allegations that a school was linked to Islamic extremism has been dismissed out of hand today by authorities.

I am a child of the Enlightenment and great believer in the separation of church and state, and consequently do not think there should be faith schools within the public sector.
Indeed, I moved a motion at Lib Dem conference last Spring, calling for their eventual phasing out.

However, having said that I do think that while they exist, ALL faith schools should be treated equally.

I thought that it was a cheap political shot by the Tories and an example of their racist dog-whistle appeal to Islamophobic sentiments in sections of the downmarket press to link extremism to this school.

Haringey Council has found no evidence of "inappropriate content or influence" in the school. In fact the school tries to ensure that pupils learn about different cultures and traditions, including joint work with a local CofE school.

The Tories have now got enough egg on their face to make the biggest of omelettes, I just hope that they have enough humility to apologise.