I am a Christian who believes that the inherent values of the faith are why we see faith schools performing very well, broadly speaking. To me it is the search for God and the experience of God that leads kids (and adults too) actually to be better, kinder, respectful/worhsipping human beings, not purely self centred. Love and self-sacrifice which is central to Christ's message, encourages self-esteem, care for others and looking to God can give inspiration for change and progress on many levels including the academic one.
It is not surprising that many atheistic or non-religious parents want a part of that for their children and feel safe with it: secular alternatives can also be excellent too however. Theeducation system in England was instituted by Christians so its roots are reflected in the wide choice of church schools something I am proud of as a Christian. I think if social equality is the REAL motive behind atheist's going on against faith schools, they would be on a crusade against the fee paying private sector, but it's not really about that is it, it's the prejudice against theism (faith) that is calling the shots in this kind of debate.
It would be really unfair to accuse the schools themselves of creating hyprocrites! People may be so, but they can't blame the system for making them do it! There are great community schools as well to choose from.
The schools themselves do not encourage middle class parents either, because entry is not based on income or ability to pay.
There is no reason to abandon the system because of the ones who use or abuse it, the schools do their best to make this difficult but you will always get the determined ones who will do all sorts to get the 'best' school in their area, as they see it.
The fact is that if we take faith, any faith, out of schools it would not lead to equality or harmony. It would lead to a fascist country where the STATE dictates what our children will be allowed to believe and what teachers are allowed to say about belief in a uniform set of state schools: ie thought control. State controlled atheism or secularism in ALL schools? NO THANKS! The absence of faith would not lead to no beliefs, but an alternative ones, eg athesim or secularism. It is indicative of a free country that schools are able to opt out or semi-opt out of state control: It's fantastic not to live in North Korea or communist China in my humble opinion. You might not like all options on the table with schools, (I don't personally like the private school system) but I have to say the only way for a free society is to allow a wide choice for all the parents and kids in the country. While they are small we make choices for them, granted, and when they are a bit older they will inevitably choose everything for themselves.
To me, in a free country like ours, CHOICE is everything and that's what all citizens want, parents included. That's what we have, thank God! I am very proud of our Christian heritage, freedoms of choice, conscience and religion, and I'm proud of the huge part Christian schools still play in the education system. They provide a clear moral framework which I love for my kids who need to know they really do have to put boundaries on their own behaviour for their own sake, the sake of others and society. Christianity to me is and has long been a great positive to society not something divisive at all! Kids are taught to respect all religions and races nowadays in every school, faith or non-faith and that is why there is no argument that faith schools are nasty horrible places that bring out the worst in people and society - it's not the schools: it's people. people divide along all kinds of lines, clothes, culture, race, class,age, you name it: abolishing faith schools will not breed ideal, perfect human beings and a non-divisive society. Faith schools seem to do all they can to promote understanding and tolerance while respecting their own traditions. That is the only way to go.
I'm delighted with my son's Cof E school. It does an amazing job for parents who want what they offer. It teaches him care and charity, harmony, tolerance, and respect in the children who attend them, mine for sure are benefiting so much from the ethos. He is reflective, thoughtful and can even be quite tender about the needs of others. His school raises funds for an orphanage and worship happens every day which I also think helps them to see things beyond themselves, and to reflect on things that matter more than themselves, or money or the latest gadget. I'm not saying non faith schools can't do this but I think faith schools have done it well for decades, still are doing it well, so what's the issue here?
I would fight tooth and nail if I thought any government pressured by any pressure groups or 'celebrities' wanted to take away the choice of parents to give their child an education including 'faith'. Thanks