The headteacher of a religiously diverse infant school has claimed that the law is forcing her to hold mandatory Christian 'collective worship' for pupils in breach of their human rights.
Jo Conner had sought to invoke a UN Convention so that Poulner Infant School in Hampshire can become exempt from the requirement, claiming it is inappropriate as 'two thirds' of pupils' families do not identify as Christian. Ms Conner applied to overturn the legal requirement for Christian collective worship sessions, saying it hinders the school from providing 'inclusive' assemblies.
The school on the outskirts of Ringwood in the New Forest argued that some parents select it is as an alternative to nearby faith schools. However, a religious advisory board has rejected the application on the basis that Christianity still forms the largest single religious group at the school, with a third of pupils' parents identifying as Christian. They also pointed out that the school, which has around 250 pupils and is rated as 'good' by Ofsted, hadn't received any complaints from parents about the worship sessions.
