Calls to scrap daily Christian worship in schools

Clarke called on the government to change the rules in England and Wales to stop compulsory daily acts of collective worship. Mr Clarke added that schools should hold daily acts of collective worship formed of a ‘broadly Christian character’, and parents should be able to choose if they want to withdraw their children.

Gavin Calver, Director for Mission at the Evangelical Alliance said: ‘I think it would be a real shame to the richness of our society. If you look at somewhere like America where the education system is totally secularised, I think young people grow up in a slightly impoverished way as a result. Some of this comes down to the ability to deliver, and if you look at the investment in teacher training and stuff in the delivery of anything to do with religious education, it’s so low.’