Examination of Witnesses (Questions 160-162)
DEPARTMENT FOR
EDUCATION AND
SKILLS AND
OFSTED
27 FEBRUARY 2006
Q160 Mr Bacon: What about faith schools?
When the national curriculum test results were published for 2005,
out of the top 100 69 of those schools were faith schools. What
do you attribute that to? It is a startling result.
Mr Bell: I think it goes back
to something that was said earlier about a very strong ethos in
the school, and the strong ethos contributing to high achievement
on the part of pupils. Equally, as I said earlier in response
to a question, there are lots of schools that have a very powerful
ethos and I think it is about learning from those schools that
do generate a strong and powerful ethos and being able to generate
that in all schools. I am sure it is partly responsible for the
academic achievement that you describe.
Q161 Mr Bacon: There was also in
the headlines a Muslim girls' school in Bradford, which I am sure
you are familiar with; I think it was referred to in that Radio
4 programme recently, which did exceptionally well; I think it
came top in one or two categories. I cannot remember if that is
state funded or private.
Mr Bell: That is a state funded
secondary, I think, but I would have to confirm that, Mr Bacon.7
Q162 Mr Bacon: What then is your
policy towards faith schools, given that they are plainly capable
of producing outstanding results? Are you encouraging them? Is
it the policy of the Department to encourage them?
Mr Bell: The Department, consistent
with the Minister's policy, is to accept applications from those
who wish to bring forward a proposal for a new faith school and
to judge it on its merits, so there is encouragement of those
faith groups who wish to bring forward a proposition to do so.
At the moment the numbers are relatively small outside the Christian
faith communities.
Chairman: Thank you very much. It has
been a long hearing but a very interesting one. We are very grateful
for your evidence.
7 Note by witness: The name of the Bradford
school is Feversham College which is a voluntary-aided girls'
school.
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