The focus of the thread is on C of E schools because they are a unique case: they represent a substantial proportion of (especially primary) schools in England - many of which, let's not forget, are 100%-state-maintained, local authority controlled VC schools - and the Church of England's national policy is that Church of England schools should be both distinctively Christian AND inclusive communities with a service function, providing education for all local children regardless of faith (or non-faith).
So on the one hand we have the inclusivity/service function messaging - eg the Statement issued by the House of Bishops on 15 January 2002:
"Historically, Church of England schools have been a service to the nation's children and this requires them to be inclusive in admissions, as most already are. We are committed to ensuring that all Church of England schools should seek to offer places to children of other faiths and of no faith in their local community."
Those of us thinking of sending our children to CofE schools, from other faiths or none, hear the inclusivity messaging - from the school, from other parents - and gain a general impression of Christianity expressed at school mostly through a set of moral values that everyone would endorse - and are reassured.
At the same time, in the words of the late Lord Runcie, when he was Archbishop of Canterbury, which have been adopted as policy/vision, church schools exist to:
"Nourish those of the faith;
Encourage those of other faiths;
Challenge those who have no faith." (my emphasis)
"Church of England schools have a duty to nurture children from Christian families in the Christian faith and to live and to share the Good News."
So when our children actually start school and all we hear is the faith nurture messaging and not so much on the inclusivity/sensitivity to other backgrounds, so we raise an eyebrow, it's suddenly "well what did you expect, it's a church school, why didn't you inform yourselves, suck it up" etc.
For example, when we apply, collective worship is said to be inclusive, recognising that not all present will be Christian, so the language used will be things like, "anyone who would like to join in with the prayer now, put your hands together...". When our children start and we pitch up to the nativity service, the vicar's actual words are, "Let's all pray together now. Children, pray with me now? Pray with me, children!". At the Easter service it's "we all want the children to take the Easter story into their hearts so they can live a good inner life". Etc. But, y'know, church school, suck it up, etc.
The Church of England's evidence to the House of Commons Select Committee on Education, illustrates the tightrope they walk and the inherent contradictions publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmeduski/58/3111706.htm
I struggle with how church schools can say they're walking the walk on inclusivity and serving the whole local community and being open to all faiths and none when their stated vision is to "challenge" absence of faith... As an atheist I'm respectful of Anglicans' beliefs, their right to worship and profess their faith - but that doesn't feel very reciprocal if they're setting to out to actively "challenge" non-religious world views (unlike other faiths, which they say they will "encourage")?