Schools: Collective Worship

Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the most recent guidance his Department has issued to state (a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) further education establishments is on acts of collective worship; whether he plans to review such guidance; and if he will make a statement. [237127]

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Current guidance on collective worship is contained in circular 1/94 which sets out the legal requirements for religious education and collective worship in primary and secondary maintained schools. There are no requirements for further education establishments to hold a daily act of collective worship. The Department has not issued schools with any recent guidance on collective worship. However, we have updated guidance to schools and Governors following the change in the law in 2007 to allow sixth formers to withdraw themselves from collective worship as set out in section 55 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what obligations there are to provide for a daily act of collective worship upon state (a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) further education establishments. [237128]

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Current policy on collective worship is set out in Circular 1/94. All maintained schools must provide a daily act of collective worship, for all registered pupils. In schools without a religious character, this must be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian nature; while in schools with a religious character, collective worship may be in accordance with the tenets and practices of the religious designation of the school. This requirement was established in the Education Act 1944 and has been re-enacted in subsequent educational legislation. It is the duty of the head teacher to secure a daily act of collective worship. Duties are also placed on local authorities and governing bodies to exercise their functions with a view to securing the provision of collective worship.

There are no requirements for further education establishments to hold a daily act of collective worship.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm081125/text/81125w0061.htm#08112657000066