Proposed UK School Regulations May Put Christian Sunday Schools and Summer Camps at Risk
Plans for Ofsted to regulate out-of-school settings could burden churches, discourage volunteers and cause unnecessary distress to children, a Conservative MP has warned.
MP Fiona Bruce urged people to respond to a consultation on proposals to introduce a nationwide registration scheme for any out-of-school setting providing instruction to under 19-year-olds for more than six hours in any week. The consultation closes 11 January 2016.
She warned that the plans could result in “officials sitting in to ensure Mums and Tots aren’t being radicalised by singing Bible songs”
“Sound ridiculous? It does, but the potential situation is in fact no joke for many initiatives run by churches, charities, and communities across the country”, Mrs Bruce explained.
She gave examples of a number of scenarios that would be caught by the proposals.
“What will happen to the beach mission claiming that Jesus is the only ‘way, the truth and the life; no-one comes to the Father except through Him’?
“What will happen to the teens’ group teaching creationism or Christian sexual ethics?
“And what about the Christian volunteer in a local community project, who is asked by an inspector their views on a controversial issue?” Mrs Bruce said.
The Christian Institute’s Director Colin Hart wrote to Education Secretary Nicky Morgan to raised concerns about the Government’s plans. He said the proposals represent an “unprecedented attack on religious freedom”.
Source: The Christian Institute