Academics call for radical overhaul of religious education

State schools should stop teaching religion instructively and teach a broader curriculum of civic, religious, ethical and moral education (CREaM) instead, according to proposals by academics at UCL and University of Warwick. The recommendations, which are set out in a pamphlet published by the Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain, as part of its long-running IMPACT series which seeks to influence policy-makers, politicians and practitioners, also include prohibiting schools from holding acts of collective worship, such as prayers and hymns, during school hours. Meanwhile, private schools would need to follow the same rules as those in the state sector in order to continue to qualify for the tax benefits of charitable status. However, the pamphlet does not propose the abolition of faith schools, which would still be able to operate under their own 'ethos', provided it does not compromise children's ability to decide for themselves on religious belief. The authors argue that all children, including those in faith schools, need to be given the freedom to make up their own minds on the merits of religious belief and that schools should do more to foster tolerant and respectful attitudes between those with different religious views. Professor Adam Swift (UCL Political Science), said: "Our recommendations stem from the principle that children's autonomy - their freedom to make up their own minds - should be given more priority in how schools are regulated." The pamphlet suggests that faith schools are currently regulated on the understanding that 'parents' right to freedom of religion entitles them to raise and educate their children as members of a particular faith.