The British government is proposing new religious-based schools that receive government funding will have to make at least 25 percent of their admissions available to “non-believing” students. Seventh-day Adventist educators say they have always welcomed pupils of all faiths.

Education Secretary Alan Johnson announced Oct. 17 that the government intends to introduce an amendment to the United Kingdom’s Education Bill to make new faith schools more inclusive. This follows an announcement made by the Church of England two weeks ago that it would make a 25-percent provision in its new schools.

The announcement follows concerns expressed in the media during the past months that some faith schools tend to be exclusive, making it more difficult for children attending such schools to integrate into general society and to learn to tolerate those with different backgrounds.

Johnson said, “There must be a balance between preserving the special quality of faith schools and building greater community cohesion and understanding between different cultures.  All the main faiths have already shown their commitment to the principle that children in faith and community schools should be taught about all the major faiths and develop deeper understanding. By opening up a proportion of places to children of different faiths where local communities wish this, we will help to create a system where all faith schools play a full part in the education of local children.”

A survey this week of all Seventh-day Adventist schools in Britain demonstrates that Adventist education is far ahead of government targets in this respect.  Of the 11 schools in England and Ireland, some 47 percent of pupils come from a non-Adventist background.  This balances the Adventist ethos of providing quality education for Adventist children with the opportunity to provide a positive education for other children in the community surrounding the school.

Stanborough Primary School is typical.  With 71 Adventist and 46 non-Adventist pupils, it states in its prospectus: “pupils of all faiths are welcomed at the school and are encouraged to be open and respectful of each other’s individual beliefs.”

Parents are attracted by the school’s ethos. Newly appointed head teacher, Cheryl Allen, says: “In all areas of school life God is the center. We lift our pupils and their families up to the Lord, daily. Our staff are committed Christians who allow God to lead and direct in every area of their teaching.”

Churches that are planning towards new schools will need to keep the new criteria in mind.  This will make for some extra planning. Keith Davidson, the British Adventist church’s education director, says “the proposed amendment to the Education Bill ... will not conflict with the Church’s education policy with respect to Seventh-day Adventist schools in [Britain] wishing to access state funding.”